[rink23]

It’s been five seasons since the St. Louis River Walkers sniffed the postseason on the heels of an 84-78 campaign which saw them finish in a tie for third-place in a tightly packed National League Central Division.
The Walkers entered the season’s final day actually still in the race, but a 5-4 loss to Kansas City, coupled with Des Moines’ 7-5 win over Cedar Rapids, left in a third-place tie with Quad City.
The Harvesters won the division for the fourth consecutive season, finishing a game ahead of Springfield and two ahead of the Walkers and Quad City.
Des Moines would fail to reach the World Series falling to Chicago in the National League championship series.
Again, it was a lack of offense which helped doom St. Louis. It ranked at or near the bottom in most major categories and trailed first-place Des Moines by nine games going into the All-Star break.
A change in hitting coaches to Andy Tracy seemed to light a slight spark under the Walkers’ bats. The team went 55-39 after he replaced Shane Andrews. But it wasn’t enough to carry them to top of the division, and the still ranked in the bottom third of most categories at season’s end.
The pitching, meanwhile, may have been the best in the National League from top to bottom with a rotation led by Alex Faedo and Argenis Batista to a bullpen topped by National League Reliever of the Year Jake Brentz.
There will be some changes, one of which already has fallen flat.
Free-agent starting pitcher Brent Honeywell has already been lost for the season to Tommy John surgery after being injured in his first outing of the spring.
Honeywell was brought in to replace long-time ace Aaron Nola, who left the team via free agency.
Also gone are highly-touted outfielder Michael Toglia and Alex Bregman, another off-season signing, who were packaged to Detroit for starting pitcher Adonis Medina.
Medina fills the role expected to be filled by Honeywell.
Added to the bullpen will be a pair of free agents in right-handed flamer-thrower Danny Grigg, coming off a 29-save season for Cedar Rapids, and left-hander Danny Jennings, who also recorded 29 saves while helping Detroit win the World Series.
On the field, outfielder Carlos Vidal was acquired via trade from Evansville and will be given the first shot to earn the right-field job.
Utility infielder Johan Camargo is a switch-hitter who plays plus defense at second, shortstop and third base.
Veteran Austin Barnes replaces J.T. Realmuto as the backup catcher to starter Jared Thomas.
The rest of the opening day roster features players who were with the Walkers in 2024 or at least part of their farm system.
The preseason prognosticators don’t seem sure what to think of the Walkers, having them pegged to go 86-76 and finish third, two games in back of once-again favored Des Moines.
Departures
SP – Aaron Nola 31, B-R, T-R, 9-10, 4.01 ERA, 33 Gs, 188.1 IP; signed as free-agent with Detroit
The leader of the River Walkers pitching staff since the formation of the MBL in 2018, Nola departed for a five-year deal worth $207 million with Detroit. While Nola pitched well in 2024 for St. Louis, he was probably the fourth-best pitcher in the team’s rotation and when he started asking for $25 million plus for at least five seasons it was time to cut ties. He only got four seasons from the Wheelmen, who are coming off a World Series title, but still exceeded the $20 million per season barrier. Still, he will be tough to replace going 104-80 with a 3.44 ERA in his seven seasons in St. Louis.
RP – Kenley Jansen, 37, B-R, T-R, 4-4, 5 Svs., 3.72 ERA, 60 Gs 55.2 IP; Signed as free agent with Madison
Jansen didn’t have a bad season, but I would have liked to seen better. At his age, 37, there are better pitchers out there for the role he was expected to fill. Got a one-year deal worth $2,880,000 with the Muskies.
RP – Phil Maton, 32, B-R, T-R, 3-0, 3.49 ERA, 3 Svs., 73 Gs, 56.2 IP; Signed as free agent with Chicago
Like Jansen Maton didn’t have a bad season, in fact he had a great first half but struggling through the final two months of the season. At 32, he’s still viable reliever but there’s others out there like him including some already in the team’s farm system. His one-year deal with the G-Men will earn him 1.94 million.
RP – Sean Doolittle, 38, B-R, T-R, 5-0, 3.19 ERA, 1 Sv., 40 Gs, 31.0 IP; Signed as free agent with Springfield
Acquired in a June 26 trade with Cleveland, Doolittle was a long-down lefty until September when he hit a major speedbump during the stretch run. He still has great stuff but at age 38 there are other options who should do it just as well. His deal with the Prairie Fighters is worth $2.6 million.
RP – Brad Hand, 35, B-L, ,T-L, 3-0, 2.60 ERA, Svs., 21 Gs, 17.1 IP; Signed with Toledo
Hand was lost for the season with an elbow injury on May 21. He had pitched quite well to the that time, and his injury led to the acquisition of Doolittle His age and injury were the primary factors in the decision to not bring him back. Inked a one-year deal worth $1.74 million with the Mud Hens.
SP – Brendan Spagnuolo, 29, B-R, T,-R, 0-0, 15.00 ERA, 3 Gs, 3 IP; Traded to Evansville
After doing a respectable job as the Walkers No. 5 starter in 2023, Spagnuolo’s 2024 season was derailed in spring training by a hamstring injury and never got on track. Jimmy Lambert ran with the No. 5 starter’s role while Spagnuolo healed. He pitched in the minors but never really looked good. Out of options, he was traded along with fellow starter Ernesto Rios to the Big Bossemen for outfielder Carlos Vidal.
SP – Ernesto Rios, 25, B-L, T-L, 0-0, 2.40 ERA, 3 Gs, 15 IP; Traded to Evansville
Rios spent all but September in the minors before pitching respectable in three starts with the big club. Spent spring training fighting it out with Jackson Smeltz and Jimmy Lambert for the No. 5 position in the rotation. Lambert won the job. He was the big chip for Evansville in the deal which landed the Walkers’ Vidal.
OF – Michael Toglia, 26, B-S, T-L, 71 Gs, .257 BA, 13 HRs, 41 RBIs, .768 OPS; Traded to Detroit
Coming out of his rookie season in 2024, Toglia seemed destined to be a budding star for the River Walkers. However, the start of his season was pushed back by a broken finger in spring training and once he got onto the field he didn’t seem to be the same player who had won a Silver Slugger the previous year. Sent to the minors, it took him a while to get on track at AAA Memphis. He played well in a September call-up. But there was another issue. His defense. Average at best, his ratings as an outfielder had dropped over the past two seasons. And while asked to play quite a bit at first base for the Redbirds, he failed to gain any traction there ranking well below average. So when the glaring need for another starting pitcher arose following the injury to Honeywell, Toglia became an option as he could well be a player who needs to be a designated hitter in a league that does not feature one.
3B – Alex Bregman, 31, B-R, T-R, 154 Gs, .262 BA, 9 Hrs., 50 RBIs, .713 OPS (playing for Cedar Rapids); Traded to Detroit
Brought in to provide competition at third base for Tanner Kohlhepp, Bregman became a major trade chip after Detroit lost 2024 American League MVP Darren Miller for at least three months to a shoulder injury in spring training. Bregman only played in a handful of spring training games for the Walkers before the trade.
C – J.T. Realmuto, 34, B-R, T-R, 44 Gs, .214 BA, 2 HRs, 14 RBIs, .562 OPS; Released in September, no team
Realmuto was the veteran backup to J.T. Realmuto until being released in early September to provide room for young catcher Keegan Fish on the roster.

Starting rotation
No. 1 – Alex Faedo, 29, B-R, T-R, 13-11, 2.91 ERA, 34 GS, 207.0 IP
Over the past two seasons, Faedo has established himself as the de-facto ace of the River Walkers’ rotation and one of the best starters in the National League.
No. 2 – Argenis Batista, 24, B-L, T-L, 10-9, 3.41 ERA, 33 Gs, 206 IP
Still pretty much a youngster, when Batista is on his game there are few better pitchers out there.
His 199 strikeouts led the team as did his 3.4 WAR.
No. 3 – Adonis Medina, 28, B-R, T-R, 10-6, 3.15 ERA, 27 Gs, 151.1 IP; Acquired from Detroit
Medina played a key role in helping Detroit claim its first Mississippi Baseball League championship with his 10-6 regular season and 2-0 mark in the playoffs. His 1.10 WHIP and 3.9 WAR were better than any in the St. Louis rotation in 2024.
No. 4 – Steven Brault, 32, B-L, T-L, 8-9, 3.13 ERA, 33 G, 32 GS, 195.1 IP
A 2024 free-agent signing, Brault proved well worth the cost probably pitching better than his record shows. He seemed to get better as the season went along. Also probably the best hitting pitcher in the National League not-name Ohtani or McKay.
No. 5 – Jimmy Lambert, 30, 9-10, 4.25 ERA, 29 G, 28 GS, 156.2 IP
Lambert earned the No. 5 spot in the rotation in spring training and ran with it. He did so again this spring, outlasting Jackson Smeltz and the since traded Ernesto Rios. He isn’t dazzling, but more than often kept the team in games.

Relief pitchers
CL – Edwin Diaz, 31, B-R, T-R, 3-5, 4.91 ERA, 19 Svs., 49 G, 44.0 IP, 7 BS
Brought in to be a lock-down closer, Diaz had a lost season in 2024. His ERA was well above 6.50 for much of the season and he eventually lost his closer’s job to lefty Jake Brentz. He had a good spring and again will open the season as the team’s 9th-inning guy. But Brentz is there in the wings as well as off-season acquisition Danny Grigg.
RP – Jake Brentz, 30, B-L, T-L, 8-6, 2.27 ERA, 6 Svs., 68 G, 67.1 IP
A 2024 free-agent signing, Brent proved worth the payout as he earned honors as the National League’s top reliever. Averaging 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings, Brentz biggest strength is his ability to handle hitters from both sides of the plate.
RP – Danny Grigg, 32, B-R, T-R, 1-6, 4.50 ERA, 29 Svs., 63 G, 54.0 IP; Signed as free agent from Cedar Rapids
Looking for an insurance policy in case Diaz falls out of form again, the River Walkers went out and signed a reliever who tops 100 mph and recorded 29 saves in 2024. If Diaz gets it done, Grigg’s fast ball will be featured against the top right-handed hitters in the seventh and eighth innings.
RP – Dan Jennings, 37, B-L, T-L, 4-5, 2.91 ERA, 28 Svs., 59 G, 53.1 IP; Signed as free-agent from Columbus
Looking to replace Sean Doolittle as a No. 2 lefty out of the pen, the Walkers went with Jennings who had a strong year as the closer at Columbus with 28 saves.
RP – John Curtiss, 32, B-R, T-R, 7-3, 1.91 ERA, 2 Svs., 75 G, 70.2 IP
A member of the Walkers since their inaugural season, Curtiss eclipsed the 70-game mark for the fourth straight season in 2024 in what might be his best campaign so far. His ability to handle batters from both sides of the plate is his strength.
RP – Nick Lodolo, 27, 2-4, 3.36 ERA, 4 Svs., 60 G, 56.1 IP
Acquired via trade in the 2023-24 offseason, Lodolo struggled out of the gate but seemed to find himself after a stint at Memphis.
RP – Luis Polomo, 24, B-R, T-R, 1-0, 2.04 ERA, 0 Svs., 12 G, 17.2 IP
Acquired in an offseason trade with Quad City, Polomo spent much of 2024 in the Thunder’s minor league system. He’s young and seems to harbor a lot of potential. Could fill the role of long man if a starter has to make an early exit.
RP – Caleb Ferguson, 28, B-R, T-L, 3-2, 2.63 ERA, 0 Svs., 48 G, 37.2 IP
A pitcher who was just given a shot when the Walkers were running shy on lefty relievers, Ferguson flourished as a specialist against left-handed hitters.
Starting lineup (opening day)
CF – Alek Thomas, 26, B-L, T-L, .270 BA, 3 HRs, 36 RBIs, 156 G, .672 OPS, 17 SBs
Acquired from Green Bay in the 2023-24 offseason, Thomas was expected to play a reserve role but with Toglia’s struggles and some issues in finding an everyday center fielder Thomas ended up making 119 starts and playing in a team-high 156 games. He doesn’t have any power to speak of, but as a former NL batting champ, and still at the young age of 26, he could do some big things at the top of the order.
2B – Bo Bichette, 27, B-R, T-R, .233 BA, 11 HRs, 57 RBIs, 155 G, .680 OPS, 8 SBs
After making consecutive All-Star appearances, 2024 was the worst campaign of Bichette’s career as he saw a major drop off in his numbers across the board. This will probably be a make or break season for Bichette if he wants to remain in St. Louis.
LF – Andrew Benintendi, 30, B-L, T-L, .269 BA, 30 HRs, 99 RBIs, 154 G, .822 OPS, 6 SBs
Although its been a few seasons since Benintendi has put up MVP like numbers, he remains the player to be feared in the River Walkers batting order. Like the rest of his teammates, he struggled out of the game but from the All-Star break forward was among the best producers in the league.
1B – Rhys Hoskins, 32, B-R, T-R, .234 BA, 21 HRs, 61 RBIs, 133 G, .754 OPS, 0 SBs
A few seasons ago, Benintendi and Hoskins were among the most-feared duos in the league, now Hoskins might be a player whose future in the league will be spelled out in how he performs in 2025. His home runs dropped from 38 in 2023 to 21 in 2024. His RBIs as well plummeted from 92 to 61. If Toglia could have made strides as a first baseman, Hoskins may have been the one sent packing.
RF – Carlos Vidal, 29, B-L, T-L, .268 BA, 6 HRs, 20 RBIs, 64 G, .740 OPS, 5 SBs; Acquired from Evansville
For a while, Vidal has been considered who could contribute in a big way in the majors but never got the chance. Well the River Walker are going to give it to him planting him in right field for their season opener. He’s displayed some pop in the minors, hitting more than 15 homers in three occasions in AAA. He also seems to have a decent eye for the strike zone.
SS – Jean Carmona, 25, B-S, T-R, .254 BA, 9 HRs, 45 RBIs, 150 G, .715 OPS, 13 SBs
The 2024 season was a breakout with the glove for Carmona as he won his first National League Gold Glove at shortstop. This season, the River Walkers hopes Carmona can turn it around at the plate. He had a strong second half with the bat and that carried over into spring training.
C – Jared Thomas, 24, B-L, T-R, .226 BA, 12 HRs, 41 RBIs, 123 G, .666 OPS, 0 SB
Thomas earned the starting job out of spring training in 2024 and while his season was a bit of a roller-coaster at the plate, he did enough to keep his starting job into 2025. His ability to handle pitcher shad to play a big role with the Walkers being among the best staffs in the league.
3B – Tanner Kohlhepp, 25, B-R, T-R, .250 BA, 9 HRs, 31 RBIs, 47 G, .750 OPS, 2 SBs
Kohlhepp split time between St. Louis and AAA Memphis, but of the players who manned the hot corner for the Walker the now 25-year-old performed the best of them. Expected to battle Alex Bregman for the starting job in spring training, St. Louis opted to deal Bregman to Detroit when the need for another starting pitcher arose following the loss to Brent Honeywell to Tommy John surgery.

Reserves (Note: Rosters have expanded to 26 players this season)
OF – Larry Ernesto, 24, B-S, T-R, .256 BA, 7 HRs, 30 RBIs, 77 G, .717 OPS, 13 SBs
Ernesto was the River Walkers starting center fielder to open the 2024season, but his inconsistency resulted in him eventually getting sent back to Memphis. He’s young, 24, so there still is hope he can develop into a bonafide major-league hitter.
OF – Edmond Americaan, 28, B-L, T-L, .277 BA, 1 HR, 9 RBIs, 28 G, .719 OPS, 2 SBs
Americaan has gotten a number of chances in the big leagues over the past three seasons and he’ll get another one this year. He had a huge spring training, and if he can build on that the more playing time he’ll get.
IF – Christian Arroyo, 29, B-R, T-R, .278 BA, 5 HRs, 20 RBIs, 110 G, .717 OPS, 0 SB
For the seventh consecutive season, Arroyo is back with the River Walkers as their primary backup infielder. He’s hit better than .261 each of the past three seasons and is a solid defender at second, third and shortstop.
IF – Johan Camargo, 31, B-S, T-R, .326 BA, 14 HRs, 72 RBIs, 128 G, .864 OPS, 7 SBs; Free-agent signing from AAA Albuquerque
It’s been three seasons since Camargo last played in the majors, but a strong showing at AAA last season made him hard to pass on when he became available as a free agent. He’s a strong defender at second, short and third and bats from both side of the plate.
C – Austin Barnes, 35, B-R, T-R, .258 BA, 3 HRs, 13 RBIs, 41 G, .723 OPS, 2 SBs
The veteran catcher’s job description is simple, provide a strong game-calliing experience from behind the plate once every fourth day when Jared Thomas takes a day off.
Minor-leaguers to watch
OF – Alan Dondero, 28, B-R, T-R, 277 BA, 12 HRs, 38 RBIs, 60 G, .868 OPS, 12 SBs
An August callup, Dondero proceeded to tear the cover off the ball before coming back down to Earth over the season’s final weeks. Given a chance to win the center field job in spring training, Dondero barely batted above .150 forcing him to head back to Memphis. If he can find his swing again, he’ll get another shot. Doesn’t hurt he’s Gold-Glove caliber defender.
IF – Marcos Junior Gonzalez, 25, B-R, T-R, .279 BA, 25 HRs, 357 RBIs, 798 G, .744 OPS, 103 SBs (career)
Acquired in a July trade with Grand Rapids, Gonzalez is a plus-plus middle-infield defender who has shown some potential at the plate. Although, he has yet to do it in his short time in the Walkers farm system.
C – Keegan Fish, 25, B-S, T-R, .571 BA, 1 HR, 1 RBIs, 4 G, .1768 OPS, 0 SB
If things don’t workout with Hedges as the backup or Thomas as the starter Fish should get the call up. The only reason he is in AAA is to insure he gets consistent playing time.
SP – Cal Quantrill, 30, B-L, T-R, 9-12, 3.92 ERA, 28 G, 153.2 IP; Signed as free agent
Inked as a free agent, Quantrill put up some decent numbers for AAA El Paso. His stuff is average but he features good control. He’s been waiting a while for his shot, and if something happens to the Walkers starters he is likely to get it.
RP – Adam Wenger, 25, B-R, T-R, 1-5, 3.79 ERA, 25 Svs., 53 G, 54.2 IP
The hard-throwing Wenger is making the leap from high-A to AAA Memphis and if he can throw strikes will likely land in the big leagues this season.
RP – Ryan Sherriff, 34, B-L, T-L, 5-1, 2.89 ERA, 1 Sv., 27 G, 28 IP; Signed as free agent
The veteran left-hander was signed as insurance if any one of the southpaws in the majors struggle or is injured. He had an impressive 2024 season for Indianapolis, so it may not take much for him to be called up.