PCL1 Memphis Redbirds

Pham & Gast Named Cards Minor League Player/Pitcher of Month for April

May 2, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 2, 2013 -The St. Louis Cardinals announced their Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for April by honoring Springfield (AA) outfielder Tommy Pham and Memphis (AAA) left-handed pitcher John Gast for their accomplishments on the field.

Pham, 25, batted .322 (28-for-87) for the month of April, collecting a league-leading 5 triples to go along with his 4 doubles, 5 home runs and 18 RBI (6th in Texas League). The right-handed hitting centerfielder ranks 9th in the Texas League in batting and he tops the circuit's batters with his .667 slugging percentage.

"Tommy is off to a great start," said Cardinals Director of Minor League Operations John Vuch. "He's worked incredibly hard during the time he was injured, and now that he's healthy, is showing the exciting ability that we've known he possesses. He really excelled in all facets of the game this month, playing an outstanding defensive centerfield, running the bases aggressively, and putting up well-rounded offensive numbers"

Gast, 24, was unscored upon in his five April starts for the Triple-A Redbirds, going 3-0 with a Pacific Coast-leading 0.00 ERA. Gast fanned 29 batters in his 29.2 innings pitched and held the opposition to a .204 batting average.

"John had an incredible month in a tough league for a pitcher," said Vuch. "He continues to improve his command of all pitches, and his ability to consistently work down in the zone leads to much of his success"

Pham, who appeared in just 12 games for Springfield last season after suffering a right shoulder injury, was the Cardinals 16th round selection (496th overall) in 2006 out of Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gast was drafted in the 6th round (199th overall) by the Cardinals in 2010 out of Florida State University and is a native of Altamonte Springs, Fla.

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