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: Adam Kloffenstein
Stats: 0-0, 1 G, 1.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 0.000 WHIP, 0.1 bWAR
Statcast: 0,0% barrel, 33.3% sweet spot, 97.2 max exit velocity, .000 wOBA, .200 xwOBA, 0.0 K%, 0.0 BB%
Grade: C
When Kloffenstein was acquired at the 2023 deadline, he wasn’t considered a flashy prospect by any means but he was considered someone that was fairly close to the majors. 2024 was probably a bit of a step back in that regard, even though he did make a brief major league debut during the season. He couldn’t have picked much more of a memorable debut, at least, getting into the first MLB game played at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham. However, it was just one (clean) inning and he never got another chance to pitch in a season that was not exactly overflowing with great pitching performances.
That’s mainly because his work in Memphis wasn’t anything to write home about, though in fairness he was also hurt not long after his Rickwood outing and didn’t pitch again. He threw 17 games with an ERA that approached 5.00 for the season, allowing 13 runs in three starts after his return from the majors. He had some fine outings, like a one-run, eight-inning start against Nashville, but there were a lot of four and five run games on the game log. Some of that is minor league baseball but if you are trying to make an impression, that’s not the way to do it.
What’s in store for 2025: I can’t seem to find what injury kept Kloffenstein on the injured list from late July through the rest of the year, but I assume that whatever it was should be cleared up by spring training. Kloffenstein might get a chance to compete for a spot, depending on if one is open, but another run through Memphis is pretty likely. Still, you’d expect he’ll face more than three batters in the big leagues in the upcoming season.
