Shuster's Crossroads: Free Agent or Triple-A Stint?

0:00On April 17, Cardinal's pitcher Jared Schuster cleared waivers after they designated him for assignment. The left-hander got outrided to Triple A A Memphis, but since he's been through this before, he can turn it down and become a free agent. Schuster signed a minor league deal with St. Louis last December. A former first-round pick by the Braves in 2020, he made the opening day roster and pitched in two big league games this April. Over three and two-thirds innings from the bullpen, opponents tagged him for two runs on two hits and two walks. Now 27, the Wake Forest alum has seen major league action in four seasons. His career ERA sits at 5.26 across 145 and 1.3 innings, hurt by weak strikeout rates around 15 percent, and walks near 10 percent. He keeps the ball in the air, but lets too many runners on base. In Triple A, his numbers look about the same, with slightly better strikeouts and fewer free passes. Schuster tops out just over 92 miles per

1:00hour on his fastball, pairs it with a mid-80s slider and low-80s change-up. He tested an upper 80s cutter during his St. Louis stint and has showed some pop in a small sample. Out of minor league options now, any call-up means he sticks in the majors or risks another designation cycle. Schuster's crossroads could shake up his career path real quick. I'm Corey with The Story, and you've been listening to MLB News today, AI-powered baseball coverage.