Saggese turning heads with growth in second stint in Majors

NEW YORK -- Before the start of the four-game series against the Mets, the Cardinals were feeling good about themselves, especially in the batter’s box.

Entering Thursday’s action in the Big Apple, the Cardinals were first in the Major Leagues in batting average (.280) and on-base percentage (.348), second in hits (180), tied for third in doubles (37), third in OPS (.783) and fourth in slugging (.435).

In the four-game series against the Mets, the Cardinals' bats hit a big snag, going 22-for-129 (.171) with 43 strikeouts. Eleven of those strikeouts came Sunday afternoon in the 7-4, sweep-securing loss at Citi Field. Even worse, St. Louis went 4-for-27 (.148) with runners in scoring position during the four-game set.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol didn’t beat around the bush when talking about what he witnessed. The Mets were a better club and the top of their batting order, featuring Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Pete Alonso, was unstoppable. Marmol has often said the Cardinals are a much younger club and patience is needed throughout the season.

The lack of experience, for example, came in the fourth inning with the Mets up, 2-0. St. Louis had runners on first and second with one out against right-hander Clay Holmes, but Jordan Walker struck out and Nolan Gorman flew out to center fielder Tyrone Taylor to end the threat.

“[The Mets] straight up beat us four in a row. There are no excuses. They are a better club. They executed at a higher rate than we did,” Marmol said. “We came in with some momentum and we played some good baseball back home. … At the end of the day, we have to be able to execute better. Today, we fell short again.”

It may have been a lost weekend offensively for St.Louis, but shortstop Thomas Saggese, the No. 5 prospect in the Cardinals organization according to MLB Pipeline, showed he could hold his own in the batter’s box. During the four-game set against the Mets, Saggese went 4-for-12 (.333) with two RBIs. The runs he drove in came in the seventh inning on Sunday when he doubled down the left-field line off Mets right-hander José Buttó, scoring Gorman and Michael Siani and tying the score at 3.

“I know Buttó likes the slider. … Fortunately, he left one over the plate that I picked up and I put a pretty good swing on it,” Saggese said.

After returning to the big leagues from Triple-A Memphis on April 4, Saggese has a slash line of .400/.389/.600 and has left an impression on Marmol.

“He continues to grow and understand how to game plan,” the skipper said. “His at-bats have been really good. He continues to ask good questions defensively and on the bases. There’s growth there. He looks really good handling the bat.”

Saggese is learning about the game of baseball from veterans like Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado. He will be the first to tell you that hitting is hard.

“I just talk to people and see what they think. There is a lot of talent in this room,” Saggese said. “‘What can I take [from those veterans] and help my game?’ I like to try to pick as many brains as I can -- whatever it may be.”

Saggese said he feels relaxed at the plate because of his faith in God, who took a lot of weight off his shoulders. Even when he made his big league debut last year and struggled, Saggese felt relaxed.

“[The Lord] helped me so much through struggles and I was able to find peace,” Saggese said. “That’s the biggest one for sure. I’ve been blessed with this opportunity and I’m grateful. There are so many good things to be thankful for.”