The St. Louis Cardinals made several minor league roster moves on Thursday, highlighted by the release of former fourth-round draft pick.
Chosen by St. Louis in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft, the right-handed pitcher steadily climbed the organization’s farm system and eventually reached Triple-A Memphis. Despite his progress through the minors, Bedell was unable to take the final step and earn a promotion to the major league roster.
On Thursday, the Cardinals announced that he has been given his unconditional release, along with a handful of movements throughout the system.
The Cardinals Were Busy Down In The Minors
“RHP Brandt Thompson has been transferred from Springfield (AA) to Memphis (AAA),” the Cardinals announced. “OF Travis Honeyman (AA) has been placed on the 7-day IL. INF Trey Paige (AA) has been reinstated from the Development List. RHP Keiverson Ramírez has been transferred from the FCL to Palm Beach (A).
“LHP Ixan Henderson (AAA) and RHP Joseph King (A+) had their rehab assignments transferred from the FCL to Palm Beach. RHP Ian Bedell (AAA) has been given his unconditional release.”
Ian Bedell was taken by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft after starring at the University of Missouri. His professional debut was delayed until 2021, when he made just two appearances—including one start—for High-A Peoria in a limited introduction to pro baseball.
The right-hander enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023, emerging as one of the organization’s more promising pitching prospects. Across 27 outings, including 19 starts with High-A Peoria, Bedell posted an impressive 2.44 ERA over 96 innings.
He continued his climb through the Cardinals’ farm system in 2024, splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A, before spending most of the 2025 season with Triple-A Memphis. Bedell remained at the Triple-A level throughout the 2026 campaign, but struggled to find consistency, recording an 11.78 ERA over 11 appearances, including one start, across 18 1/3 innings. Those struggles ultimately preceded his release by the Cardinals on Thursday.
Bedell is just 26 years old and worked his way all the way up to Triple-A. It would be a bit surprising to see another team not give him a shot. Back in 2024, Bedell was the Cardinals’ No. 20 overall prospect. In 2025, he dropped and was the club’s No. 26 prospect. Someone will surely convince themselves that he’s worth a flier.
Like most minor league moves, this isn’t something that impacts the Cardinals at the big league level or moves the needle for the club. The Cardinals’ bullpen actually could use a boost but Bedell clearly wasn’t someone right on the doorstep to the big league club.
