Thomas Saggese homers again in win over Dodgers

Thomas Saggese is starting at shortstop. Winn will also sit Sunday. He rushed back from a fractured thumb a couple of weeks ago, and since he’s still not right, he’s getting shut down with two games to go. Winn had hit .158/.238/.211 in 14 games since returning from the IL, leaving him at .232/.308/.317 overall. He’s still just 24, but that his offense has regressed both seasons since a fairly encouraging rookie season doesn’t seem to be bode well; his OPS+ has gone from 104 to 92 to 81. For now, his defense still makes him a more-than-adequate regular, but if he starts to decline some there, that could change in a hurry.

Winn has been battling a thumb injury throughout the month of September, so the Cardinals have been careful to give him plenty of days of rest to help manage it. Thomas Saggese will start in his place at shortstop on Sunday and will bat sixth against Nationals’ right-hander Jake Irvin.

The rookie landed on the injured list on August 30th with right wrist tendinitis, so he had a near-minimum stay. He will likely return to his role as the starting second baseman, which will push Thomas Saggese into a platoon role. Wetherholt has just over a week to try and claw back into the NL Rookie of the Year race, but the time off may have ended that bid.

Saggese gets a chance atop St. Louis’ lineup after doing a spectacular job filling in for JJ Wetherholt (wrist) and Masyn Winn (thumb) of late. The 24-year-old former prospect has hit .392 (20-for-51) with three homers, nine RBI and three steals over his last 15 games. He’s the type of sneaky late-season addition that can make a difference on the margins in an extremely deep fantasy league.

Saggese had his best career day at the plate so far, starting with a solo homer off Eric Lauer in the second inning. After driving in a run on a sacrifice fly in the third inning, he went yard again in the fifth for a solo shot off Alex Vesia. Saggese then drew a walk and scored a third run in the eighth. The 24-year-old infielder was making his second start since he was recalled from Triple-A Memphis following injuries to Blaze Jordan and JJ Wetherholt.

He takes Blaze Jordan’s spot on the roster. It would seem to make sense for the Cardinals to give Saggese more of a look than Nolan Gorman down the stretch, but we’re guessing if they wanted to do that, Saggese would have already been in the big leagues and not needed an injury to be recalled. Saggese is hitting .258/.340/.446 for Memphis this year with 10 homers and nine stolen bases in 249 plate appearances.

Saggese has really struggled with the bat in his limited time with the Cardinals this season, slashing a woeful .184/.244/.276 with just one homer and four RBI in 82 plate appearances. With Lars Nootbaar (heel) returning from the injured list on Friday, he was squeezed off of the active roster. He should get another opportunity with the big league club before the summer is through.

Wetherholt will get a break from having to face Rangers lefty MacKenzie Gore. It’s his first day off since May 16. The 23-year-old top prospect has put together an outstanding rookie campaign, slashing .249/.357/.400 with 40 runs scored, nine homers, 25 RBI and seven steals through 58 games. Thomas Saggese takes over at second base with Masyn Winn moving up to the leadoff spot.

Saggese got the nod over Nolan Gorman against Shota Imanaga, but he was replaced by Gorman as soon as the lefty exited so that Gorman could strike out and pop out in two at-bats. The Cardinals really ought to give Saggese a look over Gorman at this point. After all, they were just willing to bench Pedro Pages, who, despite his offensive decencies, has easily been a more valuable player than Gorman as a major leaguer.

Wetherholt receives his second day off this season with Royals lefty Noah Cameron on the mound during Saturday afternoon’s matchup after going 0-for-5 during Friday’s extra-inning marathon. The 23-year-old rookie sensation has been outstanding in his Cardinals debut, hitting .237/.358/.408 with 33 runs scored, eight homers, 22 RBI and five steals across 204 plate appearances in 44 games. It’ll be Thomas Saggese at second base in his place on Saturday afternoon.