25-year old righty starting pitcher Brandon Dickson was not one of the Cardinals’ top prospects heading into this season. That might be why he still hasn’t got a chance with them this year despite a huge need at the back end of the rotation. Dickson has pitched in 19 games (18 starts) in AAA-ball for the Cardinals this year and he is 9-6 with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. He has given up 118 hits in 111 innings this season so he does pitch to contact. It will be interesting to see if the Cardinals keep passing Dickson over this year or if they give him a chance to show what he can do.

23-year old righty starting pitcher Lance Lynn came into this season as the Cardinals’ #3 rated prospect according to Baseball America. But he is struggling so far this season in AAA. Lynn has pitched in 16 games (all starts) in AAA-ball this season and he is 5-6 with a 5.79 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. If he were pitching better in AAA the Cardinals would have called him up by now as they need help in the starting rotation. Lynn has now pitched in 52 games (47 starts) in his three years in the minors and he is 17-11 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.

23-year old lefty swinging 2B Daniel Descalso is looking good in the minors for the Cardinals this year. He came into this season as the Cardinals’ #9 rated prospect according to Baseball America. Descalso has played in 51 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 55 of 201 (.274 avg, .762 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 3 homers and 40 RBIs. Descalso is a clutch hitter despite not being a power hitter as he has a knack for getting a lot of key hits knocking in runs. He also has pretty good discipline at the plate as he has walked 23 times while only whiffing 18 times this year. Look for him to get a call at some point from the Cardinals if they need a 2B.

The Cardinals are going to take it slow with 19-year old righty starting pitcher Shelby Miller who is their #1 prospect according to Baseball America. He has started 6 games in A-ball so far this season and he is 0-2 with a 5.32 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Miller has whiffed 41 batters while allowing 28 hits in 23 2/3 innings pitched. It seems as if he’s trying to strike everyone out instead of just getting them out and that often leads to trouble. Miller has pitched in 8 games (all starts) in his two years in the minors so far and he is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. The Cardinals are going to take their time with Miller who is very talented but has a lot to learn before getting to St. Louis.

28-year old lefty reliever Rich Rundles is looking sharp in AAA so far thsi season. He has pitched in 8 games (0 starts) in AAA ball this season and he is 0-0 with a 0.79 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. He has been pounding the strike zone so far as he hasn’t walked a batter in 11 1/3 innings so far this season. Rundles has major league experience (though not much) working in 9 games (0 starts) for the Indians in which he was 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. Rundles likely won’t get a chance with the Cardinals unless something happens to Dennys Reyes and Trever Miller.