Frank Elissalt, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, was acquired by the St. Louis Cardinals from the New York Mets as part of the trade package for closer Ryan Helsley on July 30, 2025. Elissalt is a promising but unranked prospect in the Mets’ system, known for his solid performance in the lower minors and potential as a relief pitcher or back-end starter. His inclusion in the trade alongside higher-ranked prospects Jesus Baez and Nate Dohm suggests the Cardinals see developmental upside in his skill set.
Background
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Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
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Age: 23 (born circa 2002)
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Draft: Undrafted, signed by the Mets as a free agent (details on signing not widely reported)
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Current Level (2025): Split time between Class A (Low-A) and High-A
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Trade Context: Acquired by Cardinals with INF Jesus Baez (Mets’ No. 8 prospect) and RHP Nate Dohm (Mets’ No. 14 prospect) for Ryan Helsley
Performance Statistics (2025 Season)
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Levels: Class A and High-A
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Appearances: 20 total (7 starts, 13 relief appearances)
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Innings Pitched: 56.1
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ERA: 3.04
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WHIP: 0.99
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Strikeouts: 65 (10.4 K/9)
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Key Notes: Elissalt has shown consistency across two levels, with a low WHIP indicating strong control and ability to limit baserunners. His strikeout rate suggests swing-and-miss potential, particularly in relief roles.
Pitching Profile
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Fastball: Limited public scouting data exists on Elissalt’s pitch mix, but his ability to generate strikeouts (10.4 K/9) suggests a fastball with above-average velocity for High-A, likely sitting in the low-to-mid 90s. His fastball command needs refinement, as he has shown occasional inconsistency in locating it effectively.
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Secondary Pitches: Likely possesses at least one breaking pitch (slider or curveball) and possibly a changeup, given his ability to handle both starting and relief roles. The exact quality and movement of his secondary offerings are not well-documented, but his ERA and WHIP suggest they are effective against lower-level competition.
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Control: A 0.99 WHIP indicates strong command and control, though his walk rate is not explicitly detailed in available sources. His ability to limit baserunners is a positive sign for future development.
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Mechanics: No specific reports on his delivery, but his performance across starting and relief roles suggests a repeatable motion adaptable to different workloads. His early-season toe injury in 2025 (noted in context of other pitchers but potentially applicable) may have affected mechanics temporarily, though he has since stabilized.
Strengths
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Strikeout Ability: With 65 strikeouts in 56.1 innings, Elissalt has shown he can miss bats, a valuable trait for a potential reliever or back-end starter.
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Versatility: Has experience as both a starter and reliever, giving the Cardinals flexibility in how to deploy him.
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Low WHIP: A 0.99 WHIP at High-A reflects an ability to limit hits and walks, a strong foundation for future success.
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Youth: At 23, Elissalt is young enough to develop further, particularly if the Cardinals’ player development system (under incoming president Chaim Bloom) refines his pitch mix and command.
Areas for Improvement
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Pitch Development: Without detailed scouting reports, it’s unclear how polished his secondary pitches are. Developing a reliable second or third pitch will be critical if he is to remain a starter.
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Level of Competition: Elissalt has yet to face Double-A hitters, and his performance against more advanced competition will be a key test. His unranked status suggests he may lack the elite upside of top-tier prospects.
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Injury History: While not explicitly confirmed for Elissalt, mentions of toe injuries affecting other pitchers in the trade context raise questions about his durability. Further monitoring is needed.
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Command Consistency: Improving fastball command will be essential to avoid the fate of other pitchers (e.g., Helsley in 2025) whose fastballs were hit harder due to location issues.
Projection
Elissalt projects as a potential middle reliever or low-leverage bullpen arm in the majors, with an outside chance of developing into a No. 4 or No. 5 starter if his secondary pitches improve. His current profile aligns with a pitcher who can eat innings in the minors while refining his arsenal. The Cardinals, known for developing pitching talent, likely view him as a project with upside due to his solid 2025 stats and strikeout ability. His ceiling may be limited compared to Baez or Dohm, but he could become a valuable depth piece by 2027 or 2028.
Scouting Grades (Estimated, 20-80 Scale)
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Fastball: 50 (Average velocity, needs command improvement)
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Breaking Pitch: 45 (Assumed slider/curve, effectiveness unclear)
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Changeup: 40 (Likely underdeveloped, based on typical unranked prospect profiles)
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Control: 55 (Strong WHIP suggests above-average command)
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Overall: 45 (Fringe-average prospect with bullpen potential)
