Quinn Mathews may have set the Cardinals' roadmap for next impressive lefty

Quinn Mathews capped his 2026 season by making his major league debut and getting his feet wet with nine big league starts. His bounceback campaign bodes well for his future with the St. Louis Cardinals and should put more fan faith in the organization's ability to develop their prospects. Next on that staff's priority list should be how to best utilize Cooper Hjerpe, who looks to be taking a similar path to Mathews.

Hjerpe, like Mathews, made his major league debut this season and flashed in a short time with the Cardinals. What was different from each other was how they were used once they were promoted to the bigs. Hjerpe's workload and injury history point to a potential role in the big league pen next season, but that could just be setting him up to follow in Mathews' progression to eventually be a starter again.

Cooper Hjerpe is major-league ready but may have to stay in the minors the Cardinals find a consistent opportunity to start

Cooper Hjerpe spent most of the the 2026 season working at different levels while rehabbing from elbow trouble. After being a workhorse in college, Hjerpe has had injury concerns each of the past two seasons but looked fully healthy upon his return to the mound this year. The way the Cardinals ramped him up was interesting to follow. The organization looked committed to keeping him as a starter in the minors, but had to build his pitch count up carefully during his rehab.

He made a total of 15 starts across the minors this season but only covered 42 innings in those outings. The lefty only made it past four innings once while following the Cardinals' rehab protocol to speed his way back to Memphis. Once a longer opportunity presented itself at the end of the season, Hjerpe received his first promotion to the bigs in support of Kyle Leahy. While St. Louis was tapering Leahy down to close out the year, they used that opportunity to build Hjerpe up in a piggyback role.

We saw everything we have heard about Hjerpe, good and bad, during his stint in the bigs. His upside is noticeable but so is the potential for big innings built around free passes. While a bullpen role could eventually be where Hjerpe ends up, the Cardinals' desire to stretch him out shows what they want from him in the short-term. How the current rotation is set up for 2027, though, may make it tough for him to have a starting spot in St. Louis at the outset of the season. He has shown that he is ready for the major leagues in some capacity, but also has enough to work on that a stay in the minors is not the worst case scenario.

Like Mathews had to do this season, Cooper Hjerpe could be the next starting pitcher project that should get an opportunity when a vacancy appears. Assuming the Cardinals go the same direction with the rotation they did this season and sign a tradeable veteran for the staff, Hjerpe may have to wait until the trade deadline for his next extended shot. At this point next year, the Cardinals could have a better idea on the future of Hjerpe and if he is better fit for the rotation or bullpen in 2028.

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