Following a disappointing season that ended without a playoff appearance — and amid swirling rumors that a Nolan Arenado trade could trigger a rebuild — the St. Louis Cardinals may have quietly uncovered a bright spot for their future. That glimmer comes in the form of Darlin Saladin, a 22-year-old right-hander turning heads in the Arizona Fall League. Once an overlooked prospect, Saladin has transformed a frustrating year into a breakout performance that’s gaining national attention.
Baseball America spotlighted his recent surge on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Darlin Saladin is turning heads in the AFL.
The 22-year-old righthander has recorded seven consecutive scoreless innings – including his performance on Thursday where he tossed a perfect fifth inning.”
Since then, his streak has only grown. Heading into Saturday, Saladin has extended it to 11 consecutive scoreless innings for the Glendale Desert Dogs, tying for the league lead with a 0.00 ERA. In his latest outing, he struck out six batters over three innings, topping out at 96 mph and showing improved command of his secondary pitches.
For a franchise desperate for young, controllable pitching, Saladin’s emergence is meaningful. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2019 for $200,000, he rose through the system on the strength of a lively fastball-slider combination that once drew comparisons to Johnny Cueto. His 2024 season between Palm Beach and Peoria produced a 2.71 ERA and a 27% strikeout rate, but inconsistent command last year led to a 4.80 ERA and questions about his future.
Now, under the Arizona sun, Saladin has flipped that narrative. Scouts note sharper breaking pitches, better strike efficiency, and a more balanced delivery that keeps him composed deeper into outings. His fastball again shows late life, and his slider is generating consistent swing-and-miss results. The result: growing belief, both within the organization and around the league, that he’s a legitimate breakout candidate.
If he maintains this dominance, Saladin could enter spring training in the mix for a rotation spot or emerge as a multi-inning bullpen option capable of handling high-leverage moments. His story reflects what the Cardinals have sorely lacked — development rooted in resilience rather than reputation.
In a system hungry for pitching stability and internal growth, Darlin Saladin’s resurgence offers something increasingly rare in St. Louis: genuine optimism for the future.
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