Cardinals urged to call up top prospects if St. Louis falls out of contention

With the MLB trade deadline two weeks away, a lot can change for the St. Louis Cardinals. Finish the month strong, and the Cardinals could be looking to buy and invest in this team. But a rough July could have the team sell, and shake up their roster.

For John Denton of MLB.com, he wants the Cardinals to, if the team struggles to end July, call up their top prospects, specifically, Michael McGreevy and JJ Wetherholt.

"However, if the Cardinals fall out of the chase in the coming weeks, the organization would be wise to push their development plans into overdrive." Denton wrote. "Promote deserving right-hander Michael McGreevy and make him a fixture of the rotation. Do the same with future star JJ Wetherholt, the Cardinals' No. 1 prospect in the system who is already blistering baseballs at Triple-A Memphis."

The Cardinals calling up Wetherholt and McGreevy would be a clear indication that the tides are changing in St. Louis. Instead of relying on veterans, the Cardinals could call up younger players and get them MLB experience, so as to prepare them for large roles in the years to come.

While not prospects per se, Denton also proposed doing a similar thing, fast-tracking development, with Ivan Herrera in the outfield, Nolan Gordman, and Jordan Walker.

While sending out those players to start every day might not be conducive to wins, if the Cardinals are out of contention, their playing time, in Denton's mind, should increase.

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St. Louis isn't going all-in on 2025, even if they are contenders by the deadline. They should prepare to contend as early as 2026, with multiple young players ascending through the system, and working their wya to everyday roles in the Majors.

Denton outlined the reason why the Cardinals should do such a thing: "Those players are not only the Cardinals' future; they are also their present, and there's no time like the present to fast-track the development."

Development is key for the Cardinals, since they have one of the youngest teams in baseball. Moving on from veterans at the deadline, especially those with expiring deals in 2025 and 2026, could be the right move.

For Denton, moving on from the veterans for younger players in need of development and consistent playing time is key. It'd set the team up for 2026 and beyond, while giving the fans something exciting to root for during a year the team isn't expected to make the postseason.

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