Miklasz

Sports voice in St. Louis for 40 years. I do Gashouse Gang, Redbird Rush Hour + Sports On a Sunday Morning @KMOXsports + daily column & video @STLSprtsCntrl

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

Latest from the relentless Bernie content farm: Jordan Walker. A brief cold front or the start of a deep freeze? All in today's Redbird Review #STLCards https://t.co/aNyPKgXnJG

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

Riley O'Brien's sinker since April 25, in 13 IP - .485 BA, .606 slug, 5.3% strikeout rate, 12% whiff-swing rate, 10.5% BB, 46.2% GB rate. Before April 25, in 13.1 IP -.152 BA, .152 SLG, 27.3 strikeout rate, 29% whiff-swing rate, 0 walks, 69% GB rate. #STLCards

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

@Schmitty_94 I'm a fan of sarcasm -- and practice it myself -- so what you said was funny. But Statcast has him in the top 10 defensively among MLB third baseman. He's leveled off some, though. Thanks.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

The other complicating factor? The #STLCards have no desire or intention to have Blaze Jordan play third base. 1B, DH.

[Josh Jacobs @joshjaco98]

Getting the math to math for Blaze to fit on the roster isn’t very clean without Gorm being optioned or Fermin DFA’d (which the latter I’d be good with). But even then, the return of Noot/Urias/Church complicates the mix.

C (3)
Ivan/Crooks/Pages

INF (5)
JJ/Winn/Burly/Gorm/Urias

OF (4)
Walker/Noot/Church/Velazquez

UTL (1)
Torres

(This would mean optioning Saggese, VS2 and DFAing Fermin).

Either need to option Torres or DFA Nelson to fit him.

I’d be down to rip the bandaid off now (DFA Fermin), give Blaze some run until Urias is back, and then see how guys are playing then and make a decision.

The easier option is to swap him for Torres but I’d like to see him stick for now. Not married to Nelson but he’s been helpful so far so it would feel weird to punt already.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

I've explained a bunch of times. He was very strong over the final two months of last season. He had a strong March-April in 2026. I gave him credit for raising his offensive game -- but obviously it didn't last. I have no about the blocking flaws among their catchers but it looks bad.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

Of course. Just a matter of time. Nathan Church will get a long look in CF when he returns from IL. That gives Baez more time to smooth his whiff-swing challenges, especially on in-zone pitches. But they aren't playing the big fella in CF on a (virtual) daily basis on a whim.

[Bret - Sport Tours @STI_Bret]

@b_miklasz Don't you think the question they are pondering - what is best for Joshua Baez long term? That seems to be more important to them than "is he better than VS2 right now?"

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

@RedbirdFarmhand @STI_Bret I appreciate the added info about his weaknesses at 3B. You do a GREAT job.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

Victor Scott's composite all-around value -- offense, defense, baserunning -- has dropped 44 percent from last season. It's a fact: his performance is down in all three areas. #STLCards

[Frank Murtaugh @FrankMurtaugh]

Joshua Baez is so much better. Right now. Longer this goes on, more awkward it gets for all parties.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

The young slugger that's called a 'Launch-Angle Monster' by @BaseballAmerica strikes again.

[Memphis Redbirds @memphisredbirds]

YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED JOSHUA BÁEZ @LennysSubs LONGBALL TWEET!

#LennysLongball

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

New Bernie Show: What #STLCards manager Oli Marmol said without saying everything that needed to be said about the free-falling, all-around performance of Victor Scott II.
https://t.co/FtrvuN9Yzj via @YouTube

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

Breakfast with Bernie: Cards implode, O'Brien blasted again, this mad bunting obsession, #STLCards on a downward trend, Brewers sizzling, Josh Baez stays hot + NBA Finals and a crazy betting stat.
https://t.co/F18mtJpuUh

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

Oh. Joshua Baez 4 hits tonight for Memphis including 2 doubles. Drove in 3 runs. Hmm. But can he bunt? #STLCards

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

I’m signing off now. My 4:30 am wake-up alarm will be screaming before I know it. I enjoyed the convo and appreciated all of the comments. Thanks for that. I need to do this more often instead of staying in the hermit mode.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

@scatbug1 Yes indeed. No longer a reliable asset for stealing bases. Stat: #STLCards were 25 for 30 in steals during opening month and 11 for 20 in steals for May. Huge decline in success% and Scott was a big part of that. Thank you.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

I need to do a therapy session before getting my arse into bed.

BUNT BUNT BUNT BUNT BUNT BUNT BUNT is a pathetic trail of failure should have led to Memphis by now. If a manager can’t trust a hitter to swing the bat then the hitter shouldn’t be here. #STLCards

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

Yes to an extent but people also have to realize that even the best hitters will look terrible during certain stretches of the season. This applies to Walker. But his 1st month of the season and his 2nd second month of the season were virtually identical for overall performance. 54% above league average offensively in March-April and 57% above average in May. Thank you.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

Bernie Show: Jordan Walker entered a tough stretch in late May and he had a tough stretch in April. Why do people think that slumps are avoidable? Or that he's immune. Watch baseball much? #STLCards
https://t.co/8mCKEZF4aS via @YouTube

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

VS2 is a lousy bunter and the element of surprise is gone. Opponents are ready for it now; that makes it a silly strategy which is the manager’s fault.

I’m from the Earl Weaver School on this. For the most part bunts are a waste of a precious commodity; you only have 27 outs to work with. Thanks.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

@Obscurity1234 No. That’s because the sinker is broken. That obviously leads to a loss of confidence. Cause and effect. Thank you.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

Also: Riley O’Brien’s sinker is broken. The vertical drop on it has lost several inches, which has led to whiff-swing deterioration. And he lacks command with it. I wrote an analysis of this 2 weeks ago. Still a problem.
#STLCards
#JustTryingToHelp

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

@JustwinDave @YouTube Sure. As he was for a time in late April or so.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

@scatbug1 Absolutely agree. Oli’s infatuation with Scott bunting should have expired in late April. Plus, tired of the Cardinals overrating Scott’s defense. Thank you.

[Miklasz @b_miklasz]

@Katarn94729Kyle No reason to bunt. A professional hitter should be able to loft a sac fly. At least.