The St. Louis Cardinals’ rebuilding process has produced better-than-expected results this season, with one of the team’s biggest success stories emerging at the back end of the bullpen.
Closer Riley O’Brien has recorded 22 saves so far this season, leading the National League in the category. With multiple years of team control remaining, he appears well-positioned to anchor the Cardinals’ bullpen for the foreseeable future.
St. Louis may have also strengthened its future relief corps even further. On Wednesday, the organization announced the signing of an Independent League All-Star, adding another intriguing arm who could eventually develop into a high-leverage bullpen option.
“We have signed RHP Durbin Feltman to a minor league contract and assigned him to Memphis (AAA),” the Cardinals’ player development arm shared. “The 29-year-old joins the organization after posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.77 WHIP & 5 Saves across 13 appearances with the American Association’s Kansas City Monarchs this season, where he was recently named a West Division All-Star.”
St. Louis Cardinals Snap Up Boston Red Sox Castoff
Independent baseball has increasingly become a proving ground for former prospects looking to revive their careers. Every season, organizations turn to standout performers outside affiliated baseball in hopes of uncovering overlooked talent capable of helping at the upper minor league or major league level.
Feltman enjoyed a resurgence with the Monarchs after several years in the Boston Red Sox organization ended in 2023.
“This will be Feltman’s first time back in affiliated ball since his release from the A’s organization in November 2023,” according to the Monarchs’ website. “Durbin has battled through injuries and has pitched with four different teams since then.”
Now, his dominant numbers and All-Star selection in the American Association were enough to convince the Cardinals to offer another chance at Triple-A Memphis.
St. Louis Cardinals Addition Now ‘One Step’ From Major League Debut
The signing represents more than simply adding organizational bullpen depth.
For Feltman, it marks a return to affiliated baseball after nearly two years away, putting him just one step from another potential major league opportunity.
“We are so excited that Durbin received this opportunity with the St. Louis Cardinals,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said, per the team. “Like all of our players, we are pushing extremely hard to try to help them get their opportunity for the next step in their baseball journey. His opportunity with the Cardinals at the AAA level is going to leave him one step from the Major leagues, which is a great tribute to not only his ability but his perseverance in the past few years getting his career back on track.”
The Cardinals will now evaluate whether Feltman’s impressive independent league performance can translate against Triple-A competition and perhaps warrant a move to the majors. If it does, the 29-year-old could complete one of baseball’s more unlikely comeback stories in recent years.
