The Cardinals traded Sonny Gray, then went shopping for a starter. Then they traded Willson Contreras, only to go shopping for a right-handed bat. What gives?
From showings that earned top honors to performances that helped push for roster protection, Cardinals prospects delivered their share of breakout performances in 2025.
HOOVER, AL - May 24, 2025 - Pitcher Tanner Franklin #50 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the 2025 SEC Baseball Tournament semifinal game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Tennessee Volunteers at Hoover Met in Hoover, AL. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
Minor league outfielder Travis Honeyman stretches during the Spring Training Early Program camp Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at the Cardinals鈥 spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla.
Cyclones shortstop Jesus Baez (23) during Thursday night's game against Wilmington. The visiting Blue Rocks outscored the Cyclones 8-7 in Coney Island on May 1, 2025. (Photo by Jess Stiles/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)
Greenville Drive starting pitcher Brandon Clarke delivers to the plate in a South Atlantic League game against the Winston-Salem Dash on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Fluor Field at the West End in Greenville, S.C. The Cardinals acquired Clarke on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in a trade that sent starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox.
There should be ballads written about Willson Contreras' brief time with the Cardinals.
From his arrival as the All-Star eager for the challe…
HOOVER, AL - May 24, 2025 - Pitcher Tanner Franklin #50 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the 2025 SEC Baseball Tournament semifinal game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Tennessee Volunteers at Hoover Met in Hoover, AL. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
Minor league outfielder Travis Honeyman stretches during the Spring Training Early Program camp Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at the Cardinals鈥 spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla.
Cyclones shortstop Jesus Baez (23) during Thursday night's game against Wilmington. The visiting Blue Rocks outscored the Cyclones 8-7 in Coney Island on May 1, 2025. (Photo by Jess Stiles/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)
Greenville Drive starting pitcher Brandon Clarke delivers to the plate in a South Atlantic League game against the Winston-Salem Dash on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Fluor Field at the West End in Greenville, S.C. The Cardinals acquired Clarke on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in a trade that sent starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox.
