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Springfield Cardinals fans are no strangers to elite level prospects playing in the Queen City.
The most recent big name, Dylan Carlson, matched all the expectations two years ago by winning Texas League Player of the Year.
Now, after a one year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the Spring Birds will sport seven of the Cardinals top 30 prospects this summer.
“Guys were so happy and eager that we were going to have a baseball season this year that they prepared really well,” said first year Springfield Manager Jose Leger.
Among those players are two guys who may have played in Springfield last season if not for the cancellation. One of them is number two ranked prospect, third baseman Nolan Gorman
“He’s made so much progress. He’s a third baseman, left handed hitter with power potential,” Leger said.
With 82 extra base hits in 188 minor league games, Gorman has shown that power potential as he approaches his age 21 season.
But perhaps the most interesting aspect of Gorman’s rise will be if he changes positions.
“He’s also been working out at second base. Everything started as a joke that he began, when he said ‘now that we got [Nolan] Arenado, maybe I need to work out at second base.’ You know, we were open to it, and he was open to work and he’s actually looked good at second base,” Leger said.
To go along with Gorman is number three ranked prospect, catcher Ivan Herrera.
“He’s a young catcher out of Panama. He’s very talented. He can hit,” Leger said. “He’s a guy that’s proven that he’s able to hit in the levels where he’s played before.”
Herrera has batted .309 across three minor league seasons. Like Gorman, he’ll soon turn 21 years old, giving all of us another reason to be excited for the return of the Spring Birds.
