Rookie pitcher Michael McGreevy is making a strong case for a spot in the St. Louis Cardinals’ Opening Day rotation with an impressive spring training performance. The 2021 first-round pick has picked up right where he left off at the end of 2024, showcasing what appears to be dominant stuff against big-league hitters. However, it’s still uncertain if there will be room for him in the starting rotation.
Michael McGreevy Vying for Cardinals Rotation Spot
A Strong Start to Spring
Michael McGreevy has shown few weaknesses so far in spring training. The 24-year-old right-hander has made three appearances this spring, allowing just one run over 7 2/3 innings. He currently holds an impressive 1.17 ERA and a 0.783 WHIP, surrendering only six hits—the lone run coming on a solo homer.
Armed with a five-pitch mix that includes a four-seam fastball, cutter, sinker, slider, curveball, and changeup, McGreevy has proven himself an effective starter. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol prefers to keep him in that role rather than shift him to the bullpen if a rotation spot isn’t available.
“My preference would be for him to start,” Marmol told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “When you go into the offseason and a lot of the messaging is around opportunity, then you want to keep guys in the role that they see themselves being in long term. And for him, we see him as a starter.”
Whether McGreevy earns a spot in the Cardinals’ rotation or begins the season with Triple-A Memphis is still up in the air, but he’s making the decision a difficult one.
Got the Organization’s Attention with MLB Debut
McGreevy made three starts at the major league level in 2024. He initially stepped in for a spot start midseason after being called up from Memphis, then earned a chance in the rotation during the final two weeks of the year. He made the most of those opportunities, posting an impressive 1.96 ERA and picking up the win in all three outings. In two of those starts, he worked at least seven innings, showcasing his ability to pitch deep into games.
“As we get into camp, McGreevy is going to be competing for a spot; you could argue some of those spots are already taken by veteran players,” Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said during the team’s ‘Winter Warmup’ event in January. “Historically, some of those players haven’t been able to go pole to pole.”
McGreevy also proved himself a durable and reliable starter in Triple-A last season. Over 27 starts, he compiled a 9-8 record with a 4.02 ERA, including three complete games. If the Cardinals are looking for a pitcher capable of handling a full season’s workload, McGreevy’s track record suggests he’s up to the task.
McGreevy’s Pathway to Starting
The top three spots in the Cardinals’ starting rotation appear locked in, with Sonny Gray, Miles Mikolas, and Erick Fedde all expected to be part of the Opening Day group. Andre Pallante is also likely to secure a spot after an impressive 2024 season. That leaves Michael McGreevy’s best opportunity to crack the rotation hinging on whether he can surpass Steven Matz.
Matz has made three appearances so far this spring, pitching nine innings and allowing three runs. The veteran left-hander is looking to bounce back from an injury-riddled 2024 campaign, during which he made just 12 appearances (seven starts) and posted a 5.08 ERA. He finished last season working out of the bullpen after missing significant time due to injuries.
While the Cardinals have reportedly explored trade options for Matz, no deal has come together. If he remains with the team, the rotation could feature two left-handers—Matz and Pallante—if both earn starting roles. However, if McGreevy makes the Opening Day roster, it will likely come at Matz’s expense, either pushing him to the bullpen or landing him with another club.
