Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Landed 'Intriguing' Hurler Thanks To Nolan Arenado Deal

The St. Louis Cardinals added an intriguing prospect on Tuesday...
Patrick McAvoy|
Apr 4, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; A detailed view of an Arizona Diamondbacks hat at the game between the Washington Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
Apr 4, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; A detailed view of an Arizona Diamondbacks hat at the game between the Washington Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images | Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

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The St. Louis Cardinals have done a good job adding pitching this offseason.

The Cardinals accomplished their goals of trading Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras. In the latest deal, the Cardinals landed 2025 eighth-round pick Jack Martinez from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Arenado and cash. It sounds like a high price to pay for a prospect, and it absolutely is. The point of the deal wasn't Martinez, but instead offloading Arenado.

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While this is the case, there is some upside with the 22-year-old righty. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal noted that the Cardinals already "liked" him ahead of the 2025 MLB Draft, when he was selected by Arizona. Plus, there is familiarity with him in the system already as the team's new assistant pitching coach, Kyle Driscoll came over from Arizona.

The Cardinals have an intriguing prospect on their hands

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Feb 26, 2021; Jupiter, Florida, USA; A general view of the St. Louis Cardinals logo on the stadium at Roger Dean Stadium during spring training workouts. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images | Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

"Martinez, 22, was the D-Backs’ eighth-round pick last year out of Arizona State," Rosenthal wrote. "The Cardinals knew the talent they acquired for Arenado would be modest no matter which team they dealt with, given the money he is owed and the leverage he could wield with his no-trade clause. So, finances were the more meaningful lever...

"Martinez, the pitcher St. Louis acquired for Arenado, is hardly a top prospect, but the Cardinals had some familiarity with him. They liked him some as an amateur (though they passed on him for eight rounds). Their expanded pro scouting staff offered positive input. And though Martinez has yet to pitch in pro ball, the Cardinals’ new assistant pitching coach, Kyle Driscoll, was around Martinez some last summer when he was the Diamondbacks’ minor-league pitching coordinator, and found him intriguing."

What Martinez brings to the table is a funky delivery, mid-90s fastball, and some secondary stuff.

In 2025, he had a 5.47 ERA in 15 starts for Arizona State in 77 1/3 innings pitched. He hasn't made his professional debut yet. It's a bit early to be projecting out, but with his funky delivery and strong fastball, maybe he could be better suited for the bullpen. That's one person's opinion. In 2023, he had a 2.12 ERA out of the Trinity Tigers' bullpen. He made 20 appearances, including just one start.

More MLB: Cardinals Rightly Balked As Padres Pursued Nolan Arenado

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

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