Every year, or at least every year since 2012, we’ve taken some time after the season was over to look at the past 162 games through the lens of the players that played them (and the management that was in charge of them). Last year, the Exit Interview series spent less time digging into splits and finding numerical oddities and more time reflecting on the player and their season. It was a style that seemed to work so we’re going to bring it back again this year. The legendary cardinalsgifs is back to bring us excellent series art, so it’s all downhill after you see that!
Player: Riley O’Brien
Stats: 0-0, 8 G, 8.0 IP, 13 H, 2 HR, 8 BB, 11 K, 11.25 ERA, 7.04 FIP, 2.625 WHIP, -0.4 bWAR
Statcast: 7.7% barrel, 42.3% sweet spot, 112.3 max exit velocity, .467 wOBA, .385 xwOBA, 23.9 K%, 17.4 BB%
Grade: D
Have you ever really anticipated anything? Maybe it was the next movie in your favorite franchise. Maybe it’s a game that has been in development for years. Whatever it is, that anticipation is so great and you are so excited about the possibilities. Then the magical day arrives and…it stinks. There’s no way around it, it’s fully a disappointment. That’s Riley O’Brien.
The Cardinals traded for O’Brien, also known in some quarters as ROB, due to his dominant AAA performance in 2023. He got into the first game against the Dodgers but scuffled and when he went immediately after it onto the injured list, that seemed to explain the problem. He finally started a rehab assignment in July and everything went very well for him in Memphis, so when he returned to St. Louis expectations were high. The results….didn’t follow. Only once did he pitch more than 2/3rds of an inning without allowing runs. The nadir was a grand slam given up in what was a reasonable game with the Brewers at the beginning of September. Whether he was still rusty or he was just not ready for the majors, the season was a wash for him.
What’s in store for 2025: The velocity is there and the K rate isn’t bad, plus he still has an option remaining. There’s no real chance that he’s not in the Cardinals system come spring training, trying to compete for an Opening Day roster spot. Assuming health, it feels like he might be going back and forth to Memphis during the season but if things click, he could wind up being a force in the back of the bullpen.
