Cardinals Pinning Hopes on Rising Pitching Star
Tekoah Roby, a pitcher with a unique name and a promising arm, is still a bit of an enigma to the St. Louis Cardinals. The team acquired Roby in a trade with the Rangers at the 2023 deadline, bringing him over alongside infielder Thomas Saggese in exchange for World Series champion Jordan Montgomery. Despite Roby’s lack of experience at the Triple-A level, the Cardinals have added him to their 40-man roster, signaling their faith in his potential.
Roby’s journey to this point has been filled with challenges, including two seasons marred by shoulder injuries. Ranked as high as No. 88 in MLB’s Top 100 prospects before 2024, he struggled with injuries and performance, ultimately falling off the list. However, the Cardinals remain intrigued by the hard-throwing 23-year-old, who’s expected to show what he’s made of during Spring Training.
Roby’s story is one of perseverance. A third-round pick in the 2020 Draft, he gained attention late in high school and chose pro ball over a college scholarship. His name, Tekoah, comes from a twist on the name Noah, inspired by a local wilderness camp in North Carolina. A fun fact that has earned him plenty of questions about his unique first name.
Despite injuries, Roby’s potential remains clear. With his addition to the 40-man roster, he now has a chance to prove himself and eventually join the Cardinals’ big league club. He’s hopeful that he’s past his injury struggles and can build on the strong finish to 2023 that earned him a spot in the Arizona Fall League. As for his friend Saggese, Roby believes the have a future star in the infielder, showing confidence in both his work ethic and talent.
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