08-07-2025
Cardinals Farm Report: Nathan Church Shaping Up to be Underdog Prospect
Cardinals Farm Report: Nathan Church Shaping Up to be Underdog Prospect originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Like the Independence Day celebrations that rang throughout the country last week, the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system had its fair share of fireworks in the first sixth days of the new month.
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Here are some of the week's top performers and a player to keep an eye on in the near future:
Nathan Church, Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A)
Church has been putting on a masterful performance at the dish for the Redbirds since being called up on June 3. He continued the trend with seven hits, six RBI, three runs and four walks in 20 at bats last week.
The team's No. 21 prospect has been even better with Memphis than he was with Double-A Springfield, slashing .356/.436/.574/1.010 in 101 at bats with the team.
St. Louis Cardinals No. 21 prospect Nathan Church warms up during spring training on Feb. 17. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Jimmy Crooks, Memphis Redbirds (Triple-A)
Fellow Redbird, and No. 6 prospect, Crooks had an excellent week at the dish, racking up seven hits - including a double and a grand slam - and a walk for six RBI and three runs scored in 22 at bats. Crooks has found his footing at Triple-A after struggling at the plate earlier in the year, currently riding a 10-game hit streak dating back to June 22.
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JJ Wetherholt, Springfield Cardinals (Double-A)
A name likely to be added to this list repeatedly until he's in the big leagues, Wetherholt maintained his dominance at the plate with three extra base hits last week. The No. 1 prospect's first career multi-home run game resulted in seven RBI and four runs scored in that span.
Wetherholt continues to prove those around him who speak well of him right, including Cardinals' right fielder Jordan Walker, who spoke highly of the top prospect when he joined the team last week.
Player to keep an eye on:
Deniel Ortiz, Palm Beach Cardinals (Low-A)
Ortiz, 20, has quietly been having an exceptional first full professional season. The third baseman was recently named the Florida State League Player of the Month for June after leading the league with a .556 slugging percentage and a 1.005 OPS.
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Though still far from the big league level, he could be a player the Cardinals look to in the future at third base with the uncertainty still remaining around Nolan Arenado.
Related: Cardinals Announce Nolan Arenado News Before Cubs Game
Related: Jordan Walker Addresses IL Stints, Team Struggles Ahead of Cardinals-Cubs Series
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
