Sem

Robberse

The first batch of cuts from Cardinals camp includes one of the more unique talents in Cijnte, a switch-pitching prospect acquired from the Mariners in the Brendan Donovan trade over the offseason. The 22-year-old ambidextrous phenom is significantly better from the right side where his fastball sits in the mid-to-upper 90’s with a plus sider. The fact that he can still operate from the left side is a nice wrinkle to have at his disposal but he’s probably going to wind up pitching exclusively from the right side at the highest level.

Robberse was non-tendered last week by the Cardinals after undergoing Tommy John surgery earlier this year. The 24-year-old righty has yet to reach the majors and has posted a lackluster 4.96 ERA across 134 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level over the last three seasons.

Robberse, 24, underwent Tommy John while pitching for Triple-A Memphis in May, so he’s likely to be sidelined into the middle of next year. He had a 4.96 ERA and a 139/59 K/BB in 134 1/3 innings since first reaching Triple-A in 2023.

Robberse will be on the shelf likely until the second half of the 2026 campaign. The 23-year-old righty made only four starts this season at Triple-A Memphis before requiring surgery.

With LHP prospect Quinn Matthews landing on the Triple-A IL, Robberse is putting himself in position to be the first in line for a call-up if the Cardinals need a starter. He has allowed five earned runs on 14 hits in 12 innings this year while striking out 14 and walking seven.

Robberse has been hit hard this spring and will open the season back in the upper minors.

His own error contributed to the mess. Robberse, who is on the Cardinals’ 40-man and rates as one of the team’s better pitching prospects, had a 4.38 ERA in 90 1/3 innings in Triple-A last season. He was rumored to be in line for his first callup last May, but it didn’t materialize, and he went on to miss some time afterwards. He’s a long shot to crack the Opening Day roster, something that was true even before this.

Robberse boasts a sublime 1.77 ERA and 35/7 K/BB ratio across 35 2/3 innings (six starts) for Triple-A Memphis and appears to be in line to fill the vacant spot in St. Louis’ starting rotation on Tuesday against the Mets. The unheralded 22-year-old righty doesn’t throw hard, but he’s certainly done enough to at least earn a spot start for the Cardinals with Steven Matz (back) likely to end up on the injured list.

The interesting wrinkle here is that the Cardinals decision to bump up Kyle Gibson and Miles Mikolas creates an opening on Tuesday against the Mets. The most likely candidate to fill that void would be pitching prospect Sem Robberse, who would be taking the ball on regular rest, and has been excellent this season for Triple-A Memphis. It’s a storyline worth monitoring this weekend.

Robberse boasts the second-lowest ERA (1.82) in the International League through five starts after spinning another gem on Friday evening for Triple-A Memphis. He generated 14 swinging strikes and finished with a 32 percent CSW. The 22-year-old righty doesn’t throw hard, but he’s been effective so far in the upper minors since coming over last year in the Jordan Hicks deal with the Blue Jays.