Cardinals Farm Report: Jose Fermin Making Case for Call-up
The St. Louis Cardinals' farm system is shaping up to be as exciting as any in the game of baseball.
Although they don't have a large group of prospects in the top 100, many young players in the organization are flourishing under the new "youth movement" that the Cardinals front office is after.
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Here's a look at the Cardinals' top minor league performers of last week and a storyline to keep an eye on in the near future:
Jose Fermin, Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A)
Fermin, 26, has bounced back and forth between Memphis and St. Louis in his two-plus season tenure with the organization, but the numbers he's put up this year - and his offensive surge last week - have shown that he's making a case for a ticket back to the bigs.
St. Louis Cardinals middle infielder Jose Fermin prepares for batting practice on Feb. 25, 2025. Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
In five games played last week, the 26-year-old middle infielder went 11-for-20 (.550) with nine RBI, five runs, four doubles, three walks and stolen bases and two home runs. Fermin is currently slashing .310/.432/.487 and leads the team with 20 doubles on the year.
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Nathan Church, Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A)
After being promoted to Triple-A earlier this month, Church has stayed hot for the Redbirds. In his last five games, the 24-year-old outfielder hit .429 with six RBI, six runs, three walks, two doubles, triples and home runs - including a grand slam.
He's led the team in average (.426), on base (.493), slugging (.656) and OPS (1.149) in the last 30 days despite only being on the team for 21.
Joshua Baez, Springfield Cardinals (Double-A)
Like Church, Baez has been on fire since being promoted at the start of the month. He continued his dominant stretch at the plate last week with a 7-for-14 performance (.500), racking up 10 RBI, four walks, three runs scored, three home runs and a double. The 21-year-old's 1.764 OPS led all Texas League hitters by a 0.6-plus margin.
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Storyline to keep an eye on moving forward:
Despite some early-season injuries and the loss of No. 11 Cooper Hjerpe to Tommy John surgery, some of the Cardinals' minor league pitching prospects have bounced back in a big way as the season marches on.
No. 3 prospect Tink Hence made his return from IL for Double-A Springfield on Friday, completing 4 1/3 no-hit innings while striking out eight and walking just one batter. The team's pitching staff went on to toss a combined no-hitter against Houston's Corpus Christi Hooks.
No. 2 prospect Quinn Mathews has been dominant on the mound since his return, as well, carrying a 2.30 ERA with 20 strikeouts in four starts since May 31.
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Related: Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt Talks Development, More in Exclusive Interview
Related: Cardinals No. 3 Prospect Dazzles in Double-A Return
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
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