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2 recently acquired starters are having early success in the Cardinals' system

Right-hander Adam Kloffenstein was acquired by the Cardinals on July 30 as part of the trade that sent Jordan Hicks to Toronto. In two starts with the Memphis, he's looked fantastic.

By Sandy McMillan |
Kloffenstein pitching with Team USA's 18U squad
Kloffenstein pitching with Team USA's 18U squad / Brace Hemmelgarn/GettyImages
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1) Adam Kloffenstein

On July 30, the Cardinals shipped Jordan Hicks north of the border and brought back two interesting starters. The more highly touted of the two, Sem Robberse, struggled in his debut with Memphis. However, the other, righty Adam Kloffenstein, has now recorded two stellar starts in AAA.

Yes, the sample size is small, but Kloffenstein's success is reason for optimism. Since joining the Cardinals, he has allowed just three runs in 10 innings of work. Perhaps best of all, he's also recorded 11 strikeouts. Kloffenstein has, over the course of his career, posted above-average strikeout rates, but this season is the highest of his career.

Kloffenstein is also rounding out his arsenal. His large frame allows him to generate plus velocity on his four-seamer, which often touches 96 mph. This pairs well with two other fastballs: a 90 mph sinker and a cutter. Then, there are the breaking balls, which include a sweeping slider and a curveball. The biggest improvement seems to be his changeup, the sixth pitch in his arsenal! Watch him go to his changeup to record a strikeout in three consecutive at-bats.

That's right, Kloffenstein throws six pitches, each of which has the chance to be at least an average offering. All of this comes with solid to above-average control! Kloffenstein is looking more and more like a major-league pitcher. To see him finding success in his first stint with AAA is incredibly exciting for the Cardinals. Kloffenstein should enter 2024 with a real chance at making the big league roster. Even if he starts in AAA, the 22-year-old will be high on the list of potential call-ups.

2) Drew Rom

If the Kloffenstein sample was small, the Rom sample was even smaller. The lefty, taken by Baltimore in the fourth round of the 2018 draft, has made just one start with the club, but it was glorious. In his debut after coming to St. Louis as part of the trade that shipped Jack Flaherty to Baltimore, Rom went five innings, allowed one earned run, and racked up TEN strikeouts. It was one of the most dominant debuts a Cardinal prospect has made this season. Rom, like Kloffenstein, has generally maintained strong strikeout rates. It's very encouraging to see that aspect of his game translate immediately.

Unlike Kloffenstein, Rom has previously pitched in AAA, and the results have not been pretty. He'd pitched to a 5.34 ERA in 86 innings (18 starts) this season with Baltimore's AAA affiliate. Rom has had strong individual performances, so perhaps this is one of those. It could also be a sign of better days to come. Only time will tell, and his next start will be a great chance to evaluate further.

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Rom's arsenal, delivery, and production have drawn him comps to J.A. Happ, who Cardinals fans became acquainted with during his brief tenure with the team in 2021. Comps are a touchy subject for many, and predicting that any minor leaguer will enjoy a fruitful 15-year career is risky business. But, his early success should be celebrated! And if he can become anything like the pitcher that Happ was, he would be an absolute steal for the Cardinals. If Rom keeps up this early success, he may play his way into a promotion, especially considering his status as a member of the 40-man roster.

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