Matt Dayhoff/Journal Star
The Cardinals’ prospect Hjerpe had some control issues that hampered his debut performance at Double-A, but he bounced back in a big way in his second outing.
The St. Louis Double-A affiliate Springfield threw a no-hitter on Thursday. Cardinals’ prospect Hjerpe threw the first five innings of the game, walking just one while striking out six. The Cardinals’ 2022 number one draft pick seems to be recovering nicely after missing the majority of the 2023 season to undergo arthroscopic surgery.
The young lefty has an unconventional delivery that keeps hitters off balance. Hjerpe had this to say when asked about his delivery. “I’d say funky, I’d say deceptive. It’s something that is kind of an outlier for me, to be able to throw stuff that people don’t usually see, which makes it effective.”
Cardinals’ Prospect Hjerpe Earns Promotion
The young hurler earned a promotion to Double-A Springfield due to a strong start to the 2024 season. After missing the majority of the 2023 season, Hjerpe had 56 strikeouts over 37.2 innings with an ERA of 3.35 and a 1.19 WHIP at Single-A this season before being promoted.
Before his Double-A debut, Hjerpe had this to say. “To start my career and be in Peoria at the start of this year was almost like a broken record. To finally get out of there and be able to experience another part of the Cardinals’ organization is obviously a huge step.”
Cardinals Should Remain Cautious
It is likely the Cardinals will be cautious with the 23 year-old pitching prospect after having surgery to remove a loose body from his left elbow. The injury limited him to only eight starts in the 2023 season. He will probably remain on a strict pitch count and innings limit for the 2024 season. However, it seems like the former number one draft pick is getting back on track and should move up the ranks quickly. The Cardinals’ prospect Hjerpe was dominant in college and has impressed so far in the minors. If the young lefty can stay on track, it would not be surprising to see him make his major league debut by next season. The young lefty is definitely one to keep an eye on.
