2024 St. Louis River Walkers -- Why can't this thing be fixed?
 

Result from 2023 arbitration cases

Walkers news: Player development report for Dec. 1
 

Walkers news: Player development report for Dec. 1

Walkers news: Star closer Diaz signs with St. Louis
 

After weeks of talks, the St. Louis River Walkers can finally confirm the signing of right-handed closer Edwin Diaz.
The 29-year-old right-hander inked a three-year deal worth $28.5 million.
Last season, Diaz pitched in 62 games for Cleveland posting an American League-high 37 saves along with a record of 5-3 and a 2.88 ERA.

Walkers news: Starting pitcher Steven Brault agrees to deal
 

The St. Louis River Walkers have announced the signing of left-handed starting pitcher Steven Brault to a one-year deal worth $8.5 million.
Last season, Brault was 8-8 with a 3.71 ERA in 31 starts for Cleveland.
The 31-year-old is expected to handle a spot in the bottom of the St. Louis rotation in 2024.

MBL news: Hall of Fame Class of 2024
 

Ichiro Suzuki was the only player to make the cut.
I voted for : 1, Ichiro Suzuki; 2, Chase Utley and 3, Yadier Molina.

Walkers news: Veteran reliever Jansen agrees to deal
 

The St. Louis River Walkers have announced the signing of veteran right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen to a one-year contract.
The 36-year-old Jansen will make $2.25 million during the 2024 season.
A year ago, Jansen went 6-2 with two saves in 87 games for Cleveland.
He boasted an ERA of 3.72.

Walkers news: Players development report February 1
 

Walkers news: Players development report February 1

Walkers news: Veteran catcher Oscar Hernandez signs with St. Louis
 

The St. Louis River Walkers have announced the signing of veteran catcher Oscar Hernandez to a one-year minor league contract.
Hernandez is expected to be the backup to Jared Thomas, who will be the given the opportunity to win the starting job in spring training.
Hernandez batted .194 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 144 at bats for Columbus in 2023.

Walkers news: Realmuto agrees to return to St. Louis
 

The St. Louis River Walkers have announced the signing of veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto to a one-year deal worth $1.75 million.
He will be asked to compete with Oscar Hernandez for the backup job to Jared Thomas during spring training.
(I f'd up, and didn't withdraw the Realmuto offer in time, just one day, and he signed the contract).
But I'd probably have him as a backup to Hernandez in the long run so we will see how it plays out.

Walkers news: Minor league deal sends Alexander to Green Bay for left fielder
 

The St. Louis River Walkers have completed a one-for-one deal of minor leaguers with the Green Bay Long Haulers.
St. Louis will send 24-year-old third baseman Blaze Alexander to the Haulers in exchange for 25-year-old left fielder Jesse Franklin.
Alexander is part of a glut of solid young third basemen in the St. Louis organization, however, does not seem to possess much power.
The Walkers minor league system, however, does seem in need of corner outfielders and the power-hitting Franklin could fit the bill.

Walkers news: Baez signed to minor league deal
 

The St. Louis River Walkers have announced the signing of infielder Javier Baez to a minor-league contract.
The Walkers will be hoping Baez can find a role as a backup at second base, third base and shortstop.
This will be the second go-round for Baez with St. Louis, who signed to fill a similar role in 2022.
It didn't go all that well, as he batted just .238 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 58 games before being traded to Columbus.
Baez spent the 2023 season with Milwaukee, where he hit .224 with 11 homers and 31 RBIs in 100 games.

Walkers news: Preseason predictions at start of spring training games
 

Walkers news: Preseason predictions at start of spring training games

Walkers news: 2024 Spring Training roster
 

Walkers news: 2024 Spring Training roster

Walkers news: Toglia lost for seven weeks with broken finger
 

The St. Louis River Walkers received some bad news following a 2-0 loss to Twin Cities in their third spring training game.
Outfielder Michael Toglia will be lost for seven weeks after he suffered a broken finger on a hit by pitch.
Toglia was 1 for 4 in spring training with a double.
In 2023, he batted .289 with 35 homers and 89 RBIs.

MBL news: Final spring training standings and leaders
 

MBL news: Final spring training standings and leaders

Walkers news: Spring training statistics and scores
 

Walkers news: Spring training statistics and scores

Walkers news: Spagnuolo to miss up to three months
 

The St. Louis River Walkers have announced that right-handed starting pitcher Brendan Spanguolo will miss up to three months with a strained hamstring.
The 28-year-old suffered the injury while pitching in the team's spring training finale on March 28, a 4-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Slated to the be the Walkers No. 4 starter, Spagnuolo had struggled in the preseason and had gone 9-10 with a 3.96 ERA in 29 starts in 2023.
It is believed 29-year-old right-hander Jimmy Lambert will be the top candidate to fill Spagnuolo's spot in the rotation.
Pitching mostly in the final two months of the season, Lambert went 4-2 with a 4.94 in 11 starts for St. Louis in 2023.

Walkers news: St. Louis makes deal just before opening day
 

The St. Louis River Walkers have made a trade with the Green Bay Long Haulers, sending right-handed relief pitcher Bill Warson and outfielder Steve Rutland to the Haulers in exchange for left-handed hitting outfielder Alek Thomas.
The deal was made because Warson was not going to make the team coming out of camp and unlikely to survive the waiver process.
A former first-round selection, Warson pitched in 48 games for St. Louis in 2023 going 1-4 with one save and a 5.64 ERA in 52.2 innings.
Ruland, a 26-year-old right-handed hitter, played most of 2023 at Memphis where he batted .246 with 20 homers and 64 RBIs.
He also got into 11 games late in the season with the River Walkers, batting .389 with a homer and four RBIs.
In the 25-year-old Thomas, the Walkers receive an outfielder who in 2021 won the National League batting title with a .353 average.
During the 2023 season, Thomas hit .311 with three homrs and 34 RBIS.
Thomas is considered an outstanding defender at all three positions. He also will likely see a number of starts early in the season as the Walkers will open the campaign without regular right fielder Michael Toglia who is out for at least three more weeks with an injury.
After that, Thomas could settle into the center field role or become the primary backup at all three positions.
The Haulers found Thomas expendable after signing center fielder Mike Trout in the outfield, where he will join Aaron Judge and Yo****omo Tsutsugo.

Walkers news: Player Development Report for April 1
 

Walkers news: Player Development Report for April 1

MBL news: 2024 season predictions on opening day
 

MBL news: 2024 season predictions on opening day

Walkers news: 2024 River Walkers prospectus
 

Walkers news: 2024 St. Louis River Walkers prospectus
The postseason drought reached four seasons for the St. Louis River Walkers, following a second straight 86-76 campaign which left them in third place in the National League South Division.Des Moines (97-65) continued its dominance of the division taking the title for the third straight season and for the fourth time in the last five. The Harvesters, however, failed to defend their World Series title falling to American League champion Cincinnati in five games.
The Walkers finished 11 games behind the Harvesters.
From an offensive standpoint, the Walkers showed improvement over a disappointing 2022 season.
They ranked fourth in the National League in batting average (.252), second in home runs (225) and runs scored (726) and third in on-base percentage (.252).
But the pitching seemed to take a step back.
Particularly starter Kyle Hendricks, who followed up a 21-6 season by going 6-9 before being traded in late June to Milwaukee.
Overall, the St. Louis staff ranked third in ERA across the board – overall (3.77), starters (3.74) and bullpen (3.55).
Falling double digits behind Des Moines in the standings provided the opportunity to trade some struggling veterans and allow some younger players get some time on the field.
Hendricks, closer Tommy Kahnle, third baseman Nicky Delmonico, shortstop Andrelton Simmons and relievers Bobby Poyner and Reyes Moronta were all dealt for the trade deadline.
And while the returns received didn’t necessarily play in the majors, some of them should give a boost to a lowly-regarded minor league system.
In the offseason, center fielder Byron Buxton, who has struggled mightily since signing with the Walkers before the 2022 season, was traded to the Twin Cities Snow Cats for left-handed reliever Nick Lodolo.
The lineup should be much the same as it was post trade deadline anchored by right fielder Andrew Benintendi, first baseman Rhys Hoskins and second baseman Bo Bichette.
Left fielder Michael Toglia also will be heavily counted upon after finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting and earning a Silver Slugger. Toglia, however, will miss at least the first three weeks after suffering a broken bone in his hand during spring training.
Until Toglia returns, Edmond Americaan and Larry Ernesto will split time in center and right field and look for former NL batting champ Alek Thomas, who St. Louis acquired in a trade with Green Bay on March 30, to quickly work his way into the outfield mix.
On the right side of the infield, Jean Carmona will be back for his second full season as the primary shortstop while Rory Gonzalez, who took over at third following the trade of Nicky Delmonico, will look to buiid on the strong 58 games he played in his first season.
Behind the plate will be J.T. Thomas after he spent the 2023 season as understudy to J.T. Realmuto.
Realmuto remains with the team will be backup Thomas this season.
The rotation once again will feature a strong top three in Aaron Nola (12-7, 3.22 ERA), Alex Faedo (15-9, 3.94) and Argenis Batista (12-10, 2.93).
Brendan Spagnuolo (9-10, 3.96) should also join the rotation at some point but could miss up to three months with a hamstring injury.
He’ll be replaced by Jimmy Lambert (4-2, 4.94), who got the bulk of the starts in 2023 following the trade of Hendricks.
A newcomer to the rotation will be free-agent signing Steve Brault, who comes over from Cleveland following an 8-8 season where he sported a 3.81 ERA. He also will give the Walkers a second left-hander in the starting five.
With relief pitching becoming ever-more important in the game, the Walkers went out and added the best closer in baseball with the signing of Edwin Diaz.
Diaz comes in after a season with Cleveland where he saved an MBL-high 37 games while going 5-3 with a 2.88 ERA in 62 games.
He’ll anchor a bullpen which also will feature one of the game’s best left-handers in Jake Brentz. The 29-year old worked in 66 games for the Walkers going 8-4 with eight saves and a 2.26 ERA.
Other players expected to play big roles in relief are left-handers Brad Hand and Lodolo and rightys John Curtis, Thad Ward and the long time stud reliever Kenley Jansen.
So far, the prognosticators like what they’ve seen from the Walkers having forecasted them to finish with 94 wins and claim the division title.
But it will not be easy, as Des Moines should also be capable of winning 90-plus games and don’t expect Springfield and Kansas City also have the potential to put themselves into the mix.

Departures
SP Kyle Hendricks, 34, R-R, 6-9, 4.51 ERA w/St. Louis and 7-14, 4.40 overall, traded to Milwaukee on July 30
After a 21-6 campaign in 2022, Hendricks was no where near the same pitcher for the River Walkers in 2023. So with the team fading fast at the end of July, and free agency looming in Hendricks’ future, the Walkers dealt him to Milwaukee for minor league pitchers Ernesto Rios and Jackson Smeltz. Rios and Smeltz will both start in AAA this season, but both have the potential to be in the majors by season’s end.
CF – Byron Buxton, 30, R-R, .219 BA, 11 HRs, 40 RBIs, 5 SBs in 90 games, traded to Twin Cities in offseason
Following a disappointing 2022 season after earning a big free-agent contract, Buxton managed to be worse in 2023. He missed a big chunk of the season with a fractured finger, but struggled upon his return. Could not be trusted to bat against right-handed pitcher. Also lauded for his base stealing ability, Buxton rarely ran when asked and was thrown out on three of his eight attempts. Traded to the Snow Cats for left-handed reliever Nick Lodolo.
3B – Nicky Delmonico, 31, L-R, .220, 16 HRs, 54 RBIs with STL .220, 18 HRs, 64 RBIs overall after July 31 trade with Cleveland – remains a free agent
Delmonico was leading the Walkers in home runs and RBIs at the time of his trade, but his batting average was at its lowest point in his career. With free agency looming, and a cadre of strong third-base candidates in the minors St. Louis dealt him along with Tommy Kahnle to Cleveland for right-handed reliever Brad Brann. Brann will begin the season at AAA Memphis.


RP – Tommy Kahnle, 34, R-R, 1-0, 15 Svs., 0.83 ERA , 21 Gs in St. Louis; 3-0, 17 Svs., 1.65 ERA, 53 Gs overall after trade to Cleveland on July 31. Free-agent signing with Fort Wayne
There were few closers in the game dealing like Kahnle when the River Walkers dealt him to Cleveland on July 31. However, with the Walkers pretty much out of the race, free-agency on the horizon for Kahnle along with his age, the decision was made to send him packing. He was packaged to Cleveland for Brann.


SS – Andrelton Simmons, 34, R-R, .188 BA, 3 HRs, 7 RBIs in 45 games for St. Louis, .257 BA, 5 HRs, 19 RBIs in 72 games overall after June 15 trade to Cincinnati; Signed to minor league deal with Columbus
Although he is still an elite defensive shortstop, the Walkers traded Simmons looking to free-up the position full-time for Jean Carmona. Simmons helped Cincinnati claim the World Series title. The Walkers received outfielder George Valera and right-handed reliever Wilmer Jimenez in the trade
RP – Bobby Poyner, 31, L-L, 3-3, 1 Sv., 5.40 ERA in 40 Gs for St. Louis; 5-3, 1 Sv., 4.95 ERA, 71 G overall after June 15 trade to Cincinnati
Going through a rough campaign for St. Louis, the Walkers decided Poyner needed a fresh start – he ranked among the league leaders in home runs allowed by relief pitchers – so they gave it too him. Poyner earned himself a World Series ring with the Skyline.

RP – Reyes Moronta, 31, R-R, 1-2, 5.06 ERA, 0 Svs., 39 Gs for St. Louis; 5-3, 9 Svs., 4.72 ERA 68 Gs overall after trade to Cincinnati
Like Poyner, Moronta was having a rough season for the River Walkers when the decision was made to trade him to Cincinnati. The trade worked out well for the Skyline, who saw him earn nine saves in the second half and three more in the postseason
RP – Bill Warson, 27, R-R, 1-4, 1 Sv., 5.64 ERA, 48 Gs; Traded to Green Bay in offseason for OF Alek Thomas
A former first-round pick, Warson has never found his niche in the majors. And with him on the outside looking in terms of making the opening day roster, along with being out of options, the decision was made to trade him along with minor league outfielder Steve Ruland to Green Bay for Alek Thomas. A need that primarily sprung the injury which will keep Michael Toglia out of the first few weeks of the season.
OF – Steve Ruland, 26, R-R, .389 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 11 Gs in St. Louis; .246 BA, 20 HRs, 64 RBIs in 103 Gs at Memphis
While Ruland is an outfielder who has plenty of upside, the River Walkers seem to have plenty of others who boast just a little more.
Newcomers
SP5 – Steven Brault, L-L, 31, 8-8, 3.71 ERA, 31 Gs, 174.2 IP, 124 Ks, 1.27 WHIP w/Cleveland– Free-agent signing
The River Walkers were looking to add a No. 4 or 5 starter and were hoping it would be a left-hander. They decided Brault fit the bill. An extreme ground ball pitcher, he should benefit from St. Louis good infield defense. He also is a Silver Slugger winner at the plate. Agreed to one-year deal worth $8.5 million.
CL – Edwin Diaz, 30, R-R, 5-3, 37 Svs., 2.88 ERA, 62 Gs, 56.1 IP, 81 Ks, 1.05 WHIP – w/Cleveland – Free-agent signing
Perhaps the best closer in the MBL, the River Walkers inked Diaz to a three-year deal worth $24 million. His job will be to make sure, if St. Louis enters the ninth inning with a lead. Victory is almost always assured.
OF – Alek Thomas, 25, L-L, .311, 3 HRs, 34 RBIs, 6 SBs, 122 Gs – Acquired in trade with Green Bay
With starting left fielder Michael Toglia out to begin the season with a broken bone in his hand, the River Walkers acquired Thomas just before opening day. Thomas won the NL Batting title in 2021 and owns a .319 career batting mark. He also is a plus-defender at all three positions and brings speed to the bases. He will probably start to begin the season and see how things are playing out once Toglia returns.
IF – Javier Baez, 31, R-R, .224, 11 HRs, 35 RBIs, 100 Gs w/Milwaukee – Free agent signing
Back with the River Walkers for his second go-around, he spent part of the 2022 season in St. Louis, Baez will be asked to play a reserve role due to his ability as a solid defender at second, third and shortstop. Along with his ability to provide the occasional long ball. He says he wants to start, but if he stirs the pot he is only here on a minor league contract.
RHP – Kenley Jansen, 36, R-R, 6-2, 2 Svs., 3.72 ERA, 87 Gs, 87.0 IP, 88 Ks, 1.39 ERA – free agent signed from Green Bay
For a long time, Jansen has been one of the best relievers in the game. And while he may no longer be closer material he still seems capable of recording big outs. A year ago, Green Bay asked him to pitch in 87 games. Maybe reducing that workload might improve his effectiveness.
Starting pitchers
SP1 – Aaron Nola, 31, R-R, 12-7, 3.22 ERA, 31 Gs, 192.2 IP, 143 Ks, 1.16 WHIP
Although, he got knocked around more than in the past Nola still easily ranks among the top 10 pitchers in the game. And the bigger the stage, it seems the better he pitchers. He will not make the opening day start due to a flu bug but will once again sit in the No. 1 spot in the rotation. A free-agent at the end of the season, right now he is demanding big money. We’ll see how that plays out as the season progresses.
SP2 – Alex Faedo, 28, R-R, 15-9, 3.94 ERA, 33 Gs, 185.0 IP, 188 Ks, 1.19 WHIP
Faedo continues to emerge as one the top starting pitchers in the league. He consistently gives six innings and rarely pitches himself out of a game. With Nola ailing, he will get the opening day start.
SP3 – Argenis Batista, 23, L-L, 12-10, 2.93 ERA, 32 Gs, 184.1 IP, 154 Ks, 1.12 WHIP
Batista has to rank as one of the top young pitchers in the game, and him being a left-hander is just a bonus. Doesn’t allow many baserunners and like Nola and Faedo consistently pitches deep into games.
SP4 – Jimmy Lambert, 29, 4-2, 4.94 ERA, 11 Gs, 58.1 IP, 37 Ks, 1.42 WHIP
With Brendan Spagnuolo likely out until June with a hamstring injury, Lambert will get first shot at filling his spot in the rotation. (Lambert is holding down the No. 4 spot, so the lefties Bautista and Brault do not pitch consecutive games). He was hit or miss in the final two months of the 2023, but has had success in the minors going 10-4 at Memphis before his callup.
Relief pitchers
RHP – John Curtiss, 30, R-R, 2-1, 3 Svs., 2.50 ERA, 71 Gs, 75.2 IP, 124 Ks, 1.22 WHIP
Curtiss enjoyed his best season in the majors in 2023 for the River Walkers which should earn him a shot to be the team’s primary right-handed (eighth-inning) relievers in 2024.


RHP – Thad Ward, 27, R-R, 3-3, 3.71 ERA, 59 Gs, 68 IP, 68 Ks, 1.34 WHIP
Ward earned a shot in the bullpen after a solid 2023 campaign. His best attribute is the ability to work multiple innings, making him valuable in games the starters need to make an early exit.
RHP – Phil Maton, 31, R-R, 1-4, 2 Svs., 2.96 ERA, 65 Gs, 51.2 IP, 61 Ks, 1.37 WHIP
A mainstay in the St. Louis bullpen since 2019, Maton began to show some cracks in the waning days of the 2023 season. But his numbers were still solid and it is hoped in a little less of a high-leverage role the veteran can still be a big-time contributor.
LHP – Jake Brentz, 29, L-L, 8-4, 8 Svs., 2.26 ERA, 68 Gs, 71.2 IPs, 103 Ks, 0.88 WHIP
There may not be a left-handed reliever in the league better than Brentz, and he’d be a candidate to close for many teams. But the off-season goal of the Walkers front office was to build an elite bullpen and with Diaz available. The decision to combine him with Brentz, hopefully will give the team a one-two punch few teams can match. When left handers are up in the ninth inning, look for Brentz to get the ball.
LHP – Brad Hand, 34, L-L, 3-3, 0 Svs., 2.29 ERA, 72 Gs, 66.2 IPs, 75 Ks, 1.20 ERA
Back for his third season with the Walkers, Hand continues to provide solid relief from the left-hand side. The team may want to scale back on the number of right-handed batters he faces, but the veteran continues to dominate those who swing from the left side.

Catchers
St – Jared Thomas, 23, L-R, .198 BA, 5 HRs, 21 RBIs, 77 Gs
One of the highest-regarded catching prospects in the game, Thomas will get the chance to start this season after spending 2023 as the understudy to J.T. Realmuto. He didn’t hit much but hopefully with more exposure his bat will improve. Showed solid defensive skills in the games he played.
Res – J.T. Realmuto, 33, R-R, .229, BA, 5 HRs, 28 RBIs, 113 Gs
After spending last season as a starter, Realmuto agreed to come back to the River Walkers to backup Thomas. He isn’t much to look at the plate anymore, but still provides solid defense and handles the pitchers well.
Infielders
1B – Rhys Hoskins, 31, R-R, .255, 38 HRs, 92 RBIs, 153 Gs
While his average remained under .260, Hoskins power numbers returned after a down 2022 campaign. He’s still one of the better first baseman in the league. But may have to consider batting him lower in the lineup against right-handed pitching.
2B – Bo Bichette, 26, R-R, .270, 20 HRs, 43 RBIs, 12 SBs, 131 Gs
While he failed to replicate his Silver Slugger campaign of 2022, Bichette did put forth a respectable campaign thanks to a strong final few weeks of the season. Injuries forced him to start just 126 games, the fewest since 2020.
SS – Jean Carmona, 24, R-R, .249, 12 HRs, 26 RBIs, 131 Gs
Theprimary starter to begin the season and full-time after Andrelton Simmons was traded, Carmona had a solid first full-season in the big leagues. His offense improved as the season progressed and defensively it looks like there is a gold glove to be won in his future.
3B – Romy Gonzalez, 27, R-R, .278 BA, 10 HRs, 38 RBIs, 58 Gs
The scouts don’t seem to like him but when he was given the opportunity to be the starter following the trade of Nicky Delmonico, Gonzalez delivered pretty well with 10 homers and 38 RBIs in 58 games. He’ll get the nod at third base to begin the season. If it doesn’t work out, there are other options in Memphis.
UT – Christian Arroyo, 28, R-R, .261 BA, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs, 102 Gs
A mainstay as a utility man for the Walkers, Arroyo might be starting for many teams – and some scout says he should be manning third base in St. Louis – he is just too valuable due to his ability to play second, third and shortstop.
Outfielders
RF/LF – Andrew Benintendi, 29, L-L, .302 BA, 30 HRs, 74 RBIs, 15 SBs, 138 Gs
While he didn’t perform at his MVP level of 2019, Benintendi upped his game in 2023 enough to earn a National League silver slugger. He’s still a force in the middle of the order, but has started to struggle against tough left-handed pitchers. If he plays well, the Walkers tend to play well.
CF/LF – Edmond Americaan, 27, L-L, .271 BA, 11 HRs, 51 RBIs, 19 SBs, 148 Gs
With Byron Buxton offering very little of value outside of defense, Americaan spent more time in center field for the Walkers than anyone else. When starting, he provided a decent on-base percentage in the lead-off role (.341). He also a plus-defender in center and left field. What his role will become once Michael Toglia returns from injury is yet to be determined.
CF – Larry Ernesto, 23, S-R, .240 BA, 11 HRs, 33 RBIs, 7 SBs, 74 Gs
A young player with a high upside, Ernesto will start the season in the majors and probably get some starts in center field. Like Americaan, what is role becomes once Toglia returns will depend on how he performs.
Injured players
SP – Brendan Spagnuolo, 28, R-R, 9-10, 2.96 ERA, 29 Gs, 166.0 IP, 122 Ks, 1.42 WHIP
The 28-year-old will likely be out until sometime in June with a hamstring strain. The team’s No. 5 starter in 2023, Spagnuolo did a decent job – and actually got better as the season progressed – keeping the team in ballgames.
OF – Michael Toglia, 25, R-R, .289 BA, 35 HRs, 89 RBIs, 137 Gs
After earning a starting outfielder’s job in spring training, Toglia ran with it all the way to earning the Silver Slugger in right field and finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He will miss the first two weeks with a fractured single, with a rehab stint in Memphis probably on top of that, but when he returns the 25-year-old should be a force in the middle of the River Walkers batting order.

Players to watch
C – Michael Amditis, 26 R-R, .269 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI in St. Louis;,277 BA, 20 HRs, 63 RBIs in Memphis
Competed with Jared Thomas for the starting catcher’s job in spring training but struggled at the plate. If Thomas should not get the job done or become injured, he may get another shot in the majors.
3B – Tanner Kohlhepp, 24 R-R, .230 Bam 1 HR, 4 RBIs in St. Louis; .264 BA, 23 HRs, 69 RBIs in Springfield
Got a lot of playing time in the spring training and played well, but lack of experience in AAA and how well Gonzalez played in the majors forced the decision to have him start the season at Memphis. If Gonzalez struggles, his call up could come very soon.
OF – George Valera, 23, L-L, .235 BA, 0 HRs, 0 RBIS in St. Louis; .444 BA, 4 HRs, 28 RBIs in 32 games at MemphisAcquired in the trade which sent Andrelton Simmons and others to Cincinnati, Valera hit no matter where he played in the minors in 2023 and had an impressive spring training while getting some chances with the big club.

OF – Dahlandy Johnson, 24, L-R, .319, 5 HRs, 16 RBIs in St. Louis; .316 BA, 15 HRs, 52 RBI at MemphisCame down to him and Larry Ernesto for the final outfield spot. Ernesto earned it based on his ability to play center field, Johnson has hit well at all levels. In 2023, he had 20 homers and 68 RBIs in 101 games In the majors and in AAA.
SP – Ernesto Rios, 24, L-L 2-1, 3.94, 3 Gs, St. Louis; 1-0, 3.50, 7 Gs, Memphis
Acquired in the trade which sent Kyle Hendricks to Milwaukee, Rios performed well in three late-season starts with the River Walkers.
SP – Jackson Smeltz, 25, L-L, 1-1, 3.00 ERA, 2 Gs on St. Louis; 10-10 at multiple levels of minors
Also acquired in the Hendricks trade, Smeltz pitched well in a pair of September starts for the River Walkers.
RP – Brad Brann, 26, R-R, 0-0, 2.25 ERA, 7 Gs in St. Louis; 2-0, 8 Svs., 1.76 ERA in 14 games in Memphis
Acquired from Cleveland, Brann almost made the team out of spring training and seems to have the makeup to be a closer or at least high-end reliever.
RP – Wilmer Jimenez, 25, L-L, 1-1, 7.84, 29 G for St. Louis
Acquired from Cincinnati, Jimenez did not show much in his 29 games with the River Walkers in 2023. He will be given a chance to find his game at Memphis and be a fill in from the left side should issues arise in the majors.

Walkers news: April 1 -- St. Louis at Kansas City, postponed by weather
 

The season-opening game between the St. Louis River Walkers and Kansas City Pit Masters at Kansas City Municipal Stadium (1969) has been postponed by rain.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on April 2.
(In real life, this would not happen as most teams without domes in potential bad weather areas play their season opener with a built in day off in case weather wipes out opening day).

Walkers news: April 2 -- St. Louis 4, Kansas City 3, Game 1
 

Record: 1-0, 1st, 0.5 GA Des Moines and Kansas City
Kansas City jumped on St. Louis starting pitcher Alex Faedo for three early runs, but the River Walkers scored four times in the top of the fifth inning and rode it to a 4-3 win in their season opener and first game of a doubleheader at Kansas City Municipal Stadium (1969).
The Pit Masters scored twice in the first and once in the third to go up 3-0.
Having gone without a hit in the first three innings, the Walkers busted loose against Kansas City starter Trevor Oaks in the fifth.
St. Louis put its first four batters on base -- Larry Ernesto walked, Jean Carmona doubled, Jared Thomas singled, scoring Ernesto, and Faedo also singled, scoring Carmona to make it 3-2.
Bo Bichette tied it with a one-out double.
A sacrifice fly from Andrew Benintendi scored Faedo making it 4-3, St. Louis.
After his rough first inning, Faedo settled down to work six innings, allowing the three runs on nine hits. He struck out six and walked one.
The Walkers bullpen was shut down over the final three innings.
Jake Brentz tossed a scoreless seventh inning.
John Curitss got the first two outs of the eighth before Nick Lodolo came on to record the third out.
Making his first appearance as a Walker, Edwin Diaz sent Kansas City down in order in the ninth for his first save.

Walkers news: April 2 -- St. Louis 7, Kansas City 2, Game 2
 

Record: 2-0, 1st, 1 GA four teams
Down 1-0, St. Louis scored three times in the top of the second inning and rolled to a 7-2 win in Game 2 of a season-opening doubleheader at Kansas City Municipal Stadium (1969).
The River Walkers put five straight batters on base after the lead-off hitter was retired by Pit Masters starting pitcher Kyle Wright.

Christian Arroyo tied it with an RBI single. The next batter, J.T. Realmuto, then put St. Louis up 2-1 with another single.
A walk to pitcher Argenis Batista loaded the bases.
Alek Thomas took advantage with a sacrifice fly, making it 3-1.
Their lead at 3-2, St. Louis broke it open with four runs in the top of the sixth.
Bo Bichette plated the first run with a single off reliever Todd Peterson.
The next two came on an Andrew Benintendi double.
The Walkers added an insurance run in the eighth after Larry Ernesto led off with a single off Andrew Ryan and scored on a Realmuto double.
Batista worked six innings for the Walkers, allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out eight and walked one.
Thad Ward worked the next two innings and got the first out of the ninth.
Brad Hand took care of the final two batters, striking them both out, to earn a save.

Walkers news: April 3 -- Kansas City 3, St. Louis 0
 

Record: 2-1, 1st (Tied/w. Des Moines), 0.5 GA Springfield and Quad City
Max Fried tossed 6.1 shutout innings and he got help from three relievers as the Kansas City pitching staff combined on a three-hitter in a 4-0 win over St. Louis at Kansas City Municipal Stadium (1969).
All three River Walkers hits were singles from lead-off hitter Alek Thomas.
In his 6.1 innings, Fried allowed two of those hits. He struck out four and walked none.

Austin Hansen (1.2 IP) and Giovanny Gallegos (0.1) combined to get the game into the ninth inning.
Zach Burdi recorded the final two outs for his first save.
The Pit Masters went up 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning.
St. Louis starter Jimmy Lambert hurt himself with a pair of walks to open the inning.
He later allowed a run-scoring sacrifice flies to Mookie Betts and Fried.
The Kansas City lead grew to 4-0 in the fifth, Tyler Wade hitting his first homer of the season, a two-run blast off Lambert.

Walkers news: April 4: Kansas City 1, St. Louis 0
 

Record: 2-2, 3rd (Tied/w. Kansas City), 0.5 GB Des Moines and Springfield
Johnny Kuhn Jr. handled the first six innings and a trio of relievers did the rest as Kansas City shut out St. Louis for the second consecutive game 1-0 at Kansas Municipal Stadium (1969).
With the victory, the Pit Masters split the four-game series which opened the season for both teams.The River Walkers have gone 19 innings without scoring a run.
Kuhn allowed two hits during his six innings. He struck out two and walked one.
Kyle Nelson, Andrew Ryan and Austin Hansen all worked an inning apiece to complete the shutout.
Hansen earned his first save of the season.

The Walkers outhit the Masters 7-2. Jean Carmona had three of those hits for St. Louis.
The game's lone run came in the bottom of the first on a two-out solo homer from Yordan Alvarez off Walkers starter Stephen Brault.

Walkers news: April 5 -- St. Louis 6, Rockford 4, 12 innings
 

Record: 3-2, 2nd (Tied w./Des Moines), 0.5 GB Springfield
Andrew Benintendi hit a two-run home run with one oui in the top of the 12th inning off Rockford relief pitcher Shawn Semple to help lift the River Walkers to a 6-4 win at RFK Stadium (1962).
Bo Bichette had drawn a one-out walk from Semple and Benintendi followed it up by hitting a 3-0 pitch 413 feet into the seats in right-center field.
The Lightning threatened in the bottom of the inning against Jake Brentz, who had worked a 1-2-3 11th inning.
Lewin Diaz singled with two outs. He then advanced to second on a passed ball by catcher J.T. Realmuto.
Brentz issued an intentional walk to Evan Skoug before giving way to Brad Hand.
Three pitches later it was over, as Hand got Gage Canning to fly out and end it.
Rockford took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run homer by Lewin Diaz off Walkers starter Aaron Nola.
An RBI single from Edmond Americaan off Rockford starter Shelby Miller tied it in the second.
The Walkers later went up 4-2 in the sixth, the first run -- scored by Romy Gonzalez -- scoring on an error by reliever Felix Jose.
Alek Thomas drove in the second run with a sacrifice fly.
That St. Louis lead held up until the ninth, when Willi Castro hit a two-run, two-out homer off Walkers closer Edwin Diaz.
That sent it to extra innings.
The win went to Brentz, who worked scoreless 10th and 11th innings before leaving after getting the first two outs in the 12th.
The save was Hand's second of the season.
Nola worked five innings, giving up two runs on five hits.
Nick Lodolo kept the Lightning off the board from the sixth through eighth.
Diaz blew his first save of the season when Castro took him deep.

Walkers news: April 6 -- St. Louis 2, Rockford 0
 

Record: 4-2, 2nd. 0.5 GB Des Moines
Alex Faedo pitched 7.1 innings of scoreless ball to help lead St. Louis to a 2-0 win over Washington at RFK Stadium (1962).
Faedo allowed just four hits while striking out two and walking one during his time on the mound.
He left with runners at first and second with one out in the eighth.
Brad Hand came on to retire the next two batters and keep it 2-0.
After blowing a save the previous day, River Walkers closer Edwin Diaz was perfect in the ninth for his second save.
St. Louis got the only run it needed in the second inning when Jean Carmona drew a lead-off walk from Lightning starting pitcher Gunnar Hoglund.
Carmona stole second and moved to third on a ground out.
Edmond Americaan chased him home with a single.
Christian Arroyo hit a two-out homer off Hoglund in the sixth to make it 2-0.

Walkers news: April 7 -- St. Louis 8, Rockford 3, 11 innings
 

Record: 5-2, 2nd, 0.5 GB Des Moines
Andrew Benintendi hit a grand slam to highlight a six-run top of the 11th inning to help St. Louis down Rockford 8-3 at RFK Stadium.
The victory gave the River Walkers a three-game sweep of their series with the Lightning.
Benintendi's blast off Shawn Semple was the big blow of the 11th inning outburst, but it didn't give St. Louis the lead.
That honor belonged to Alek Thomas, whose single off Semple had scored Jean Carmona to snap a 2-2 tie.
Christian Arroyo later drew a bases-loaded walk to push the lead to 4-2.
Benintendi followed with his slam and widened the gap to 8-2.
Rockford's Dylan Cozens did hit a solo homer off reliever Thad Ward in the bottom of the 11th, but it did not really matter.
During regulation, a two-run homer from Rhys Hokins off Thunder reliever Seth Lugo in the top of the sixth put the Walkers ahead 2-1.
The Lightning tied it in the bottom of the frame.

Taylor Walls singled with two outs off St. Louis starter Argenis Batista and scored on a Andrew Noviello single.
Batistia worked six innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out eight and walked three.
Four relievers -- John Curtiss (2.0 IP), Jake Brentz (1.2), Kenley Jansen (0.1) and Ward (1.0) -- handled the final five innings.
The win was Jansen's first of the season.

MBL news: Week 1 awards and standings
 

MBL news: Week 1 awards and standings

Walkers news: April 8 -- St. Louis 3, Twin Cities 1
 

Record: 6-2, 1st, 0.5 GA Des Moines
Jimmy Lambert allowed one run over 5.1 innings to help St. Louis post a 3-1 win over Twin Cities at the Metrodome (1996).
Lambert didn't allow a hit until Byron Buxton singled with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
He got into trouble in the sixth, and he hit the final batter he faced (Jean Carlos Arias) to drive in a run.
But with the bases still loaded, Phil Maton came on and got both Jonathan India and Eloy Jimenez to fly out and keep the game at 3-1.
From there, the River Walkers got a scoreless seventh inning from Thad Ward.
Brad Hand recorded the first two outs of the eighth before giving way to Kenley Jansen.
Jansen retired all four batter he faced for his first save of the season.
St. Louis got all of its runs in the first two innings.
Alek Thomas led off the game with a triple off Snow Cats starting pitcher Carson Fulmer and scored when Jean Carmona grounded out.
In the second, Rhys Hoskins drew a lead-off walk and scored when Larry Ernesto followed with a triple.
Ernesto made it 3-0 by scoring on a two-out single by Jean Carmona.

Walkers news: April 9 -- St. Louis 11, Twin Cities 3
 

Record: 7-2, 1st, 1.5 GA Des Moines and Cedar Rapids
St. Louis poured across five runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back in an 11-3 rout of Twin Cities at the Metrodome (1996).
The River Walkers banged out seven hits in that first inning off Snow Cats starter Mack Anglin, who exited with one out still to go in the inning.
Alek Thomas led off the game with a single and scored on a sacrifice fly.
After that, Andrew Benintendi made it 2-0 with a double.
A J.T. Realmuto single made it 3-0.
Larry Ernesto tripled for the second straight game, also driving in a run.
A Romy Gonzalez single made it 5-0.
It's lead shrunk to 5-3, Ernesto made it 7-3 when he hit a two-run homer off Mike Shawaryn in the top of the third.
Benintendi smacked a three-run homer off Matt Harvey in the sixth as the advantage grew to 10-3.
Benintendi finished the game 3 for 5 with a double, a homer, two runs scored and four RBIs.

Ernesto was 2 for 5 with a triple, a homer, two runs scored and three RBIs.
Walkers starting pitcher Steven Brault (1-1) worked 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits.
Phil Maton (2.1 IP) and John Curtiss (1.0) combined to complete the game.

Walkers news: April 10 -- Twin Cities 3, St. Louis 2
 

Record: 7-3, 1st, 0.5 GA Des Moines
Jonathan Loaisiga allowed one run over five innings and got help from five relievers as Twin Cities down St. Louis 3-2 at the Metrodome (1996).
With the win, the Snow Cats salvaged the final game of the three-game series with the River Walkers.
Tied 1-1, Twin Cities took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth when Eloy Jimenez led off with a homer off Walkers starter Aaron Nola.
That lead grew by a run in the fourth when Josh Rolette led off with a double, moved to third on a Jean Carlos Arias single and scored when Lucius Fox got a fly ball into the outfield.
The Walkers pulled to within 3-2 in the seventh, but they should have had more.
Larry Ernesto led off the inning with a double off Cats reliever Matt Harvey but was thrown out at the plate when he tried to score from second on a Jared Thomas single.
Thomas advanced to second on the throw to the plate and scored on a single by pinch-hitter Edmond Americaan.
But St. Louis would not put another runner on base.
Tobias Meyers (1.0 IP) was the first of the Twin Cities bullpen crew to take the mound.
He was followed by Harvey (0.1) and Matt Sauer (0.2) and Joe Gatto and Thyago Vieria, who both worked an inning apiece.
The save was the third of the season for Vieria.

Walkers news: April 12 -- St. Louis 4, Springfield 2
 

Record: 8-3, 1st, 1 GA Des Moines
J.T. Realmuto hit a walk-off three-run home run off Gerson Moreno in the bottom of the ninth inning to give St. Louis a 5-2 win over Springfield at Busch Stadium (1997).
Bo Bichette got things moving when he reached first on a dropped third strike by Prairie Fighters catcher Jonathan Lucroy.
Rhys Hoskins later was hit by a pitch with two outs, bringing Benintendi to the plate.
Facing an 0-2 count, Benintendi lined the ball 395 feet over the left-field wall to give his team the win.
Down 1-0, Springfield took the lead when Eugenio Suarez hit a two-run homer off St. Louis starter Alex Faedo in the fourth.
Faedo worked 7.1 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. He struck out four and walked one.
Brad Hand did the rest not allowing a run over the final 1.2 innings..
Hand earned his first win of the season.

Walkers news: April 13 -- Springfield 5, St. Louis 0
 

Record: 8-4, 1st (tied/w. Des Moines), 1.5 GA Cedar Rapids
Josh Hader pitched into the fifth inning and received help from three relievers as Springfield shutout St. Louis 5-0 at Busch Stadium (1997).
Hader scattered five hits over his 4.2 innings on the mound. He struck out eight and walked one.
The River Walkers only managed two more hits the rest of the way, both of them singles off Ryan Pressly, one in the bottom of the seventh inning and the other in the eighth.
Jacob Rhame finished the fifth inning and worked a perfect sixth.
Pressly handled the seventh and recorded the first two outs of the eighth.
Drew Steckenrider walked a batter in the eighth, putting runners at first and second with two outs.
He got Romy Gonzalez to fly out to end the threat.

Steckenrider followed that with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Springfield got the only run it needed in the second inning off River Walkers starter Argenis Batista.
Odubel Herrerra tripled with two outs and scored when Max Schrock followed with a single.
The lead grew to 3-0 in the third, Nate Traylor with a two-run homer off Batista.
Eric Hosmer and Eugenio Suarez opened the fifth inning with back-to-back doubles.
Schrock completed the scoring with a solo shot off Batista in the sixth.

Walkers news: April 14 -- Springfield 10, St. Louis 2
 

Record: 8-5, 1st (Tied/w. Des Moines), 0.5 GA Cedar Rapids
Springfield pounded out 10 runs on 17 hits as it downed St. Louis 10-7 at Busch Stadium (1997).
With the victory, the Prairie Fighters took the final two games of the three-game series against the River Walkers.
The Fighters built an early lead with single runs in the second (Jonathan Lucroy tripled off Walkers starting pitcher Jimmy Lambert and scored on a sacrifice fly from Keegan Thompson), fourth (Michael Brantley led off with a double and scored on a Lambert wild pitch) and fifth innings (Nate Traylor singled with one out and scored on Brantley sacrifice fly) to go up 3-0.
St. Louis trimmed the advantage by scoring twice in the bottom of the fifth. Christian Arroyo hit an RBI triple off Thompson and later scored on a J.T. Realmuto single.
But Springfield tallied twice in the seventh (Eric Hosmer with a sacrifice fly and Eugenio Suarez with an RBI double) and four times in the eighth to break it open.
Suarez had the big blow in the eighth, hitting a three-run homer off reliever Thad Ward.
Thompson (1-1) worked five innings, giving up two runs on six hits.
Drew Steckenrider handled the sixth before giving way to Jake Diekman got the first out of the seventh.
The rest of the game, 2.2 innings, belonged to D.J. Jefferson who allowed just one baserunner and posted his first save of the season.

MBL news: Week 3 awards and standings
 

MBL news: Week 3 awards and standings

Walkers news: April 15 -- Cedar Rapids 4, St. Louis 2
 

Record: 8-6, 3rd, 0.5 GB Cedar Rapids and Des Moines
Cedar Rapids built a 4-0 lead by the fifth inning and Madison Bumgarner didn't allow a run over six innings to lead the Golden Grapplers to a 4-2 win over St. Louis at Busch Stadium (1997).
Cedar Rapids took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning.
Matt McLain drew a lead-off walk from St. Louis starter Steven Brault.
He stole both second and third, and scored on a Victor Robles ground out.
The Grapplers stole seven bases in the game, McLaine with four, Robles with two and one from Jacob Pearson.
That lead reached 3-0 in the top of the second.
Terrina Vavra led off with a double, and scored on a McLain single.
McLain stole second and found the plate on a Robles single.
An inning later, Domingo Santana led off with a single and moved to second on a walk to Noah Naylor.
Santana scored when Pearson hit into a fielder's choice.
An RBI single from Edmond Americaan off Bumgarner in the fifth got the Walkers on the board.
St. Louis got its other run in the ninth, J.T. Realmuto with an RBI double off Danny Grigg.
But Grigg struck out Javier Baez to end it.
In his six innings, Bumgarner (2-1) allowed one run on three hits.
David Cullison, Durbin Feltman and Grigg all worked an inning apiece to seal the win.
Grigg earned his fourth save, despite allowing a run.

Walkers news: April 16 -- Cedar Rapids 6, St. Louis 0
 

Record: 8-7, 3rd (Tied/w. Springfield), 1.5 GB Cedar Rapids
Trevor Bauer threw six scoreless innings and four relievers did the rest as Cedar Rapids shutout St. Louis 6-0 at Busch Stadium (1997).
Bauer allowed three hits in his time on the mound, while striking out five and walking a pair.
Thomas Burrows (0.1 IP) and Durbin Feltman (0.2) handled the seventh inning.
Tyler Bashlor and Wilman Madera finished it off by working an inning apiece.
The River Walkers finished the game with eight hits.The loss was their fourth in a row.
Offensively, the Golden Grapplers got all the offense they would need in the third inning thanks to a three-run homer from Terrin Vavra off St. Louis starter Aaron Nola.
Cedar Rapids added another run in the fourth, a Sam Cohen ground out driving in Alex Bregman who had singled.
The Grapplers added two insurance runs in the ninth, the RBIs going to Matt McLain and Vavra who both had RBI singles.

Walkers news: April 17 -- Cedar Rapids 6, St. Louis 1
 

Record: 8-8, 3rd (Tied/w. Springfield), 2.5 GB Cedar Rapids
Terrin Vavra was 4 for 4 with two homers and three RBIs to help power Cedar Rapids to a 6-1 win over St. Louis at Busch Stadium (1997).
With the win, the Golden Grapplers swept the three-game series with the River Walkers who have dropped five straight.
Cedar Rapids jumped on St. Louis starter Alex Faedo for four runs in the top of the first.
Vavra drove in the first two runs with his first homer.
Alex Bregman plated the other two with a double.
The Grapplers other two runs came in the fifth, Vavra with his second long ball of the game off Faedo, and seventh when a Dominic Smith sacrifice fly scored Matt McLain who had drawn a walk from John Curtiss to start the inning.
On the mound, Sean Harp (3-0) worked an impressive six innings allowing one run on two hits.
Merandy Gonzalez handled the seventh inning and the final two belonged to Wilman Madera who also kept the River Walkers off the board.

Walkers news: April 19 -- Milwaukee 5, St. Louis 1
 

Record: 8-9, 4th, 3.5 GB Cedar Rapids
It was quite a day for Milwaukee's Brendan McKay as he took a shutout into the ninth inning and hit two home runs in the Keg Lifters 5-1 win over St. Louis at Milwaukee County Stadium (1976).
The loss was the sixth in a row for the River Walkers.

McKay allowed just two hits over the first eight innings before departing after retiring the lead-off batter in the ninth.
McKay struck out 10 and walked none.
Gerson Bautista relieved McKay and promptly and was charged with allowing the only St. Louis run when J.T. Realmuto scored Bo Bichette with a ground out he hit off Antonio Santillan.
Santillan struck out Romy Gonzalez to end the game.
At the plate, McKay drove in all five Milwaukee runs.
He hit a three-run homer off Argenis Batista in the second inning.
Four innings later, McKay went deep again, this one a two-run shot also off Batista.

Walkers news: April 20 -- St. Louis 10, Milwaukee 0
 

Record: 9-9, 4th, 2.5 GB Cedar Rapids
The St. Louis River Walkers finally got it going both at the plate and on the mound as it snapped a six-game losing streak with a 10-0 win over Milwaukee at Milwaukee County Stadium (1976).
Beginning with a single run in the third inning, when Rhys Hoskins drove in pitcher Jimmy Lambert with a two-out single off Keg Lifters starting pitcher Yu Darvish, the Walkers steadily built a lead before exploding for five runs in the top of the ninth to turn it into a blowout.
St. Louis' lead grew to 3-0 in the fourth when Larry Ernesto hit a two-run homer off Darvish.
Lambert drove in Jared Thomas, who had triple, with a single in the sixth to make it 4-0.
(Lambert, who had a shutout going, had to leave the game with an intercostal strain which should keep him out for four games),
Pinch-runner Alek Thomas later scored on a passed ball.
The big ninth inning featured four hits and two walks.
One of the walks, to Edmond Americaan, came with the bases loaded.

Ernesto collected his third RBI with a double.
Bo Bichette plated three with a bases-loaded double.
Lambert worked five innings, giving up two hits while striking out four and walking one.
Four relievers (John Curtiss 1.0 IP, Phil Maton 2.0, Stephen Brault 0.1 and Thad Ward 0.2) combined to complete the shutout.

Walkers news: April 21 -- Milwaukee 2, St. Louis 1
 

Record: 9-10, 4th, 3.5 GB Cedar Rapids
Kyle Seager hit a two-run homer off St. Louis starter Aaron Nola in the bottom of the third inning, wiping out a 1-0 lead, and giving Milwaukee a 2-1 lead that would stand the rest of the day in a victory at Milwaukee County Stadium (1976).
With the victory, Milwaukee took two of three games in the weekend series.

The River Walkers went up 1-0 in the top of the third when Larry Ernesto led off with a single off Keg Lifters starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks and later scored on an Edmond Americaan single.
In the bottom of the inning, Alec Bohm reached on a two-out single off Nola.
Seager followed by hitting the first pitch he saw 401 feet into the right-field seats.
Hendricks (2-1) worked five innings, allowing the one run on three hits. He struck out six and walked two.
The right-hander was followed to the mound by five relievers, who kept the game at 2-1.
Cody Deason and Jason Johnson both worked an inning apiece.
Scott Alexander walked the only batter he faced, but Josiah Gray got out of the eighth without allowing a run.
Antonio Santillian pitched around a walk in the ninth for his fourth save.

MBL news: Week 4 awards and standings
 

MBL news: Week 4 awards and standings

Walkers news: Toglia ends injury rehab; Americaan sent to Memphis
 

The St. Louis River Walkers have recalled outfielder Michael Toglia from AAA Memphis where he was on an injury rehab.
Toglia had been out since Feb. 28 when he suffered a fractured finger on a hit by pitch during spring training.
In seven games with Memphis, Toglia had batted .333 with no homers and seven RBIs.
Going down to Memphis is outfielder Edmond Americaan.
In 17 games with the Walkers, Americaan had hit .245 with no homers and six RBIs.

Walkers news: April 23 -- Chicago 5, St. Louis 1
 

Record: 9-11, 4th, 4 GB Cedar Rapids
Tied 1-1, Chicago scored three times in the top of the sixth inning to send it to a 5-1 win over St. Louis at Busch Stadium (1997).
Jarred Kelenic plated the first run with a double off River Walkers starting pitcher Alex Faedo.
The next batter, Cruz Calderon, did even more damage with a two-run homer to make it 4-1.
The G-Men added an insurance run in the seventh.

Brandon Nimmo was hit by a Kenley Jansen pitch to leadoff the inning.
Nimmo scored when Victor Caratini doubled with two outs off Nick Lodolo.
Shoehei Ohtani (2-3) earned the win for Chicago, going 5.1 innings allowing one run on six hits.
Trevor Hildenberger finished off the sixth inning.
Danny Barnes struck out the side in the seventh.
James Pazos allowed a hit to open the eighth.
He was relieved by Chris Rodriguez who silenced the Walkers the first of the way to seal the win.

Walkers news: April 24 -- Chicago 3, St. Louis 0
 

Record: 9-12, 4th, 3.5 GB Des Moines
The struggles of the St. Louis River Walkers continued with a 3-0 loss to Chicago at Busch Stadium (1997).
The loss was the third in a row and 10 in their last 12th game.

In all 10 of the losses, St. Louis has scored two runs or less. They also have been shutout three times in that span.
Jake Mulholland dominated on the mound with seven scoreless innings, during which he allowed three hits while striking out five and walking one.
Taylor Rogers kept the Walkers off the board in the eighth.
In the ninth, St. Louis loaded the bases against Ken Giles but came up empty.
However, Giles got J.T. Realmuto to ground out and preserve the shutout.
The G-Men got the only run they would need in the top of the third when Cruz Calderon hit a solo shot off St. Louis starter Argenis Batista.
Chicago's other runs also came via the long ball, Jordan Groshans hitting a two-run homer off Kenley Jansen in the ninth.

Walkers news: April 25 -- St. Louis 7, Chicago 3
 

Record: 10-12, 4th, 4 GB Des Moines
Going into the bottom of the ninth inning and down 3-1, St. Louis seemed well on its way to its 11th loss in 13 games.
But the River Walkers sent six runners across the plate -- capped by Rhys Hoskins grand slam -- and managed to come away with a 7-3 win over Chicago at Busch Stadium (1997).
With the win, St. Louis salvaged the finale of the three-game series and ended a three-game losing streak.
The G-Men sent recently signed closer Ken Giles to start the ninth, but he managed just two batters exiting after a one-out walk to Alek Thomas.
James Pazos took his place and he had trouble finding the plate as well.
After retiring Romy Gonzalez for the second out, he allowed a single to J.T. Realmuto.
That was followed by three consecutive walk, the third scoring a run to tie it.
He finally started throwing strikes against Hoskins, but his 3-2 pitch (and ninth pitch of the at bat) was smashed 428 feet over the left-field wall to give the Walkers the victory.
Chicago took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
The first run scored on a balk by St. Louis starting pitcher Jimmy Lambert.

The second resulted from an RBI single by Nolan Jones.
That advantage grew to 3-0 in the fifth, when Phil Fitzgerald connected for a lead-off single off Lambert.
Fitzgerald stole second and would scored on a Jarred Kelenic single.

St. Louis ended a 20-inning scoreless streak in the sixth on a RBI single from Jean Carmona off reliever Danny Barnes.
Lambert handled the first five innings for the Walkers, allowing three runs on seven hits.
Four relievers (Thad Ward (1.0 IP), Nick Lodolo (1.1), Phil Maton (1.0) and Brad Hand (0.2)) combined to finish it off, with Hand earning his second win of the season.

Walkers news: April 26 -- Kansas City 8, St. Louis 2
 

Record: 10-13, 4th, 4.5 GB Cedar Rapids
Kansas City got to St. Louis starting pitcher Steven Brault for four runs in the bottom of the first inning, propelling the Pit Masters to a 8-2 win at Kansas City Municipal Stadium (1969).
Greg Jones got things going right away in the bottom of the first, leading off with a triple.
Addison Barger quickly made it 1-0, when he followed with a double.
Barger found the plate on a one-out single from Danny Cushing.
Brian Mundell handled the rest with a two-run homer.
The Masters added single runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth innings as St. Louis never pulled closer than four the remainder of the game.
Barger enjoyed a big game, going 3 for 5 with a double, homer, two runs scored and two RBIs.
K.C. starter Kyle Wright allowed one run on two hits over five innings.
Jace Fry worked a scoreless sixth before being charged with the run the Walkers scored in the seventh.
Giovanny Gallegos took care of the remainder of the seventh.
Austin Hansen didn't allow a run while pitching the eighth and ninth.

Walkers news: April 27 -- Kansas City 6, St. Louis 3
 

Record: 10-14, 5th, 5.5 GB Cedar Rapids
Tied 2-2, Kansas City ravaged the St.Louis bullpen for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to help send the Pit Masters to a 6-3 win over the River Walkers at Kansas City Municipal Stadium (1967).
Walkers reliever Nick Lodolo got in trouble right away.
A walk was issued to Brian Mundell to open the inning.
Joey Gallo followed with a double, putting runners at second and third.
Pinch-hitter Travis Blankenhorn single, giving the Pit Masters a 3-2 win.
Yasmani Grandal was the fourth straight Masters hitter to reach base, his single scoring Gallo.
The next hitter, Mike Gerber, didn't get a hit but reached on an error by shortstop Christian Arroyo to load the bases.
Greg Jones followed with a single, scoring the inning's third run.
Addison Barger drove home the fourth with a sacrifice fly.
A bases-loaded walk to Larry Ernesto, issued by Kansas City starter Max Fried, in the first gave the Walkers a 1-0 lead.
The Masters snatched the lead in the bottom half of the first when Danny Cushing hit a two-run homer off St. Louis starter Aaron Nola.
The Walkers tied it in the fourth, Jared Thomas coming through with a run-scoring double off K.C. starter Max Fried.
Fried lasted 4.2 innings. giving up two runs on four hits.
Jace Fry got the final out of the fifth and tossed a quiet sixth.
Kyle Nelson, Andrew Ryan and Zach Burdi all worked an inning apiece to seal the win.
Nelson (1-1) notched his first win of the season.
The save was Burdi's fourth of the campaign.