After a disappointing season that ended without a playoff appearance and with rumors circulating about a possible Nolan Arenado trade that could mark the beginning of a rebuild, the St. Louis Cardinals may have quietly discovered a glimpse of their future in a once disliked 22-year-old right-hander in the Fall League. Once an unranked and little-known prospect in the Cardinals organization, He has turned a frustrating year into a breakout performance under the desert sun, drawing national attention for his composure, improved command, and electric stuff on the mound.
Baseball America highlighted His surge on X (formerly Twitter) Friday afternoon, noting the growing excitement among scouts:
“Darlin Saladin is turning heads in the AFL.
The 22-year-old right-hander has recorded seven consecutive scoreless innings, including his performance on Thursday when he tossed a perfect fifth inning.”
Since that post, Darlin Saladin’s dominance has only continued. Heading into Saturday, he had extended his scoreless streak to 11 consecutive innings for the Glendale Desert Dogs, tying for the AFL lead with a perfect 0.00 ERA. In his latest outing, he struck out six batters over three innings, topping out at 96 mph with his fastball and showing sharper control of his slider and changeup throughout the start.
Scouts have praised not only his improved pitch mix but also his confidence and consistency, noting that he now attacks hitters with a more refined, mature approach. For a Cardinals team searching for reliable young pitching depth and long-term rotation pieces, Saladin’s emergence stands out as a rare bright spot and a promising sign of what could lie ahead for the franchise.
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