TL1 Springfield Cardinals

Bader and Morales Named St. Louis Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month

Published on May 4, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Springfield Cardinals News Release


Springfield, MO - The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that two Springfield Cardinals have won their Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month Awards for April - OF Harrison Bader and RHP Andrew Morales.

Bader, 21, the Cardinals 3rd round (100th overall) selection out of the University of Florida in last year's draft, batted .338 (5th) with a .398 (8th) on base percentage, leading Springfield and ranking among Texas League leaders in both. Bader collected 27 hits, 3rd in the Texas League, hit five home runs and totaled 13 RBIs in 20 games.

The right-handed hitting slugger led all Cardinals minor leaguers in hits and batting average, and ranked 3rd in on base-plus-slugging (OPS) at .960. He began the season hitting in five straight games (11-for-25, .440), all multi-hit games, and closed out the month of April hitting in five straight games (11-for-22, .500), which included a season-high four hits on April 27 vs. Northwest Arkansas.

"Harrison led the Springfield Cardinals offense with solid production from the leadoff spot, a .960 OPS and steady defensive play in centerfield," said Cardinals Director of Player Development Gary LaRocque.

Morales, 23, is a 2nd round (71st overall) pick by the Cardinals from the 2014 June Draft. The right-handed starter was 3-1 with the 6th-best ERA (2.16) in the Texas League through four starts for Springfield, striking out 22 batters over 25 innings pitched. His last two starts in the month were shutout performances, starting what is now a current 16.0-inning scoreless streak.

Batters hit just .172 against Morales, 2nd-lowest in the Texas League, and he walked just five in his four starts, giving him a 0.84 WHIP (walks-plus-hits/inning), ranking 3rd. Morales' 25.0 innings was 2nd on the team and tied for 8th among Texas League hurlers, and his 22 strikeouts tied for the team lead while tying for 10th in the league.

"In four games started and 25.0 innings pitched for the Springfield Cardinals, Andrew showed excellent command, with strong performances the entire month," said LaRocque.

Check out the Springfield Cardinals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Texas League Stories from May 4, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central