JUST IN: Andre Pallante’s controversial further disarray with the Cardinals’ pitching development

Andre Pallante’s remarks indicate that the Cardinals’ pitching development is still in chaos.

Pitcher Andre Pallante of the St. Louis Cardinals just discovered the correct technique to conduct a bullpen session, which highlights the flawed basis of the team’s pitching development system.

After pitcher Andre Pallante made some eyebrow-raising remarks to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the St. Louis Cardinals signed veteran right-hand pitcher Kyle Gibson to eat innings. Now, they might as well let him serve as the pitching coach.

Goold’s article on STL Today (paid subscription required) states that Pallante was throwing his entire repertoire in the bullpen without a specific plan in mind until Gibson came over and gave him instructions on the proper way to throw a bullpen session. Gibson advised Pallante to concentrate on specific pitches that might need more work.

It’s concerning that pitching coach Dusty Blake was unable to fix this and that a different pitcher had to go in. It’s also concerning that the Cardinals are failing to focus on the small details. When it comes to strengthening their defense, the squad must pay close attention to details, as manager Oli Marmol stated, but the Cardinals’ pitching staff is also glaringly deficient in this area.

For years, the Cardinals have been unhappy with the development of their pitchers. Pallante’s promotion to the major leagues without obtaining the necessary bullpen coaching points to a massive communication breakdown in the organization, something that previous players have alluded to.

The Cardinals must keep in mind this basic fact: the majority of players being developed in the minor leagues were the best at every amateur level they competed in. Since they have always been able to survive on their inherent talent, they are not accustomed to competing against rivals of the same or even higher caliber. Because they didn’t need it to succeed, these players might not have received the necessary training at an earlier age. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have assumed that the players will naturally know something that they were never taught.

There’s no denying that the recent young arms of the Cardinals have struggled with consistency due to developmental issues that affect every level of the organization. Pallante might be able to establish himself as a reliable starter for St. Louis by absorbing this knowledge—as well as possibly other information—that the Cardinals brass neglected to give him.