The St. Louis Cardinals made several roster moves throughout their minor league system on Sunday, highlighted by the release of a longtime organizational arm.
Among the transactions, the Cardinals parted ways with 24-year-old right-handed pitcher ending his time with the organization. The club also reinstated left-hander Jared Shuster from the Development List and promoted right-hander Nolan Sparks to Double-A.
In addition, newly acquired right-hander Trey Pooser was assigned to Peoria after joining the organization in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Hard-throwing pitching prospect Brandon Clarke also advanced to Class-A as he continued his minor league rehab assignment.
“LHP Jared Shuster (AAA) has been reinstated from the Development List,” the Cardinals announced. “RHP Nolan Sparks has been transferred from Peoria (A+) to Springfield (AA). RHP Trey Pooser has been assigned to Peoria. LHP Brandon Clarke’s (AA) rehab assignment has been transferred from the FCL to Palm Beach (A). RHP Edwin Núñez (AA) has been given his unconditional release.”
The Cardinals Were Busy On Sunday
Edwin Núñez spent his entire professional career with the St. Louis Cardinals organization before being released on Sunday, bringing an end to a six-year stint in the club’s farm system.
The right-hander began his pro career in 2021 with Class-A Palm Beach and spent the following years moving between the Florida Complex League and Double-A Springfield. Despite his electric arm, Núñez never advanced beyond Double-A. Before his release, he posted a 10.17 ERA across 24 appearances for Springfield this season.
His strongest campaign came in 2023, when he recorded a 3.39 ERA over 41 appearances split between Class-A and High-A. However, he was unable to build on that success, finishing each of the following seasons with an ERA of at least 7.68.
Núñez’s biggest asset was his overpowering fastball, which could reach nearly 100 mph. However, persistent control issues prevented him from taking the next step. He issued 25 walks in just 23 innings this season after walking 53 batters in 45 2/3 innings a year ago, illustrating the command struggles that ultimately limited his progress within the Cardinals’ system.
On top of the move to release Núñez, the move that is the most interesting, of course, is No. 7 prospect Brandon Clarke’s minor league rehab assignment. Clarke has made two appearances so far this season and topped out at 103.1 miles per hour with his fastball in his second outing of the season.
Pooser isn’t someone Cardinals fans know right now, but he should be interesting as well. He was acquired by the Cardinals on July 17 as the player to be named later in the Chris Roycroft trade. Before coming over to St. Louis, Pooser had a 3.44 ERA in 16 total appearances in Class-A and High-A.
