The St. Louis Cardinals have finalized the details of their trade sending right-hander Chris Roycroft to the Tampa Bay Rays, announcing that right-handed pitching prospect Trey Pooser will come to the organization as the player to be named later.
Rays Communications on X (formerly Twitter): “To complete the Chris Roycroft trade, the St. Louis Cardinals have selected RHP Trey Pooser as the player to be named later. / X”
To complete the Chris Roycroft trade, the St. Louis Cardinals have selected RHP Trey Pooser as the player to be named later.
Pooser, 24, was originally drafted by the Rays in the 10th round (306th overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Kentucky. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound righty has impressed in the Rays’ system this season, posting a strong 3.44 ERA across 49.2 innings pitched between Low-A and High-A. He has struck out 43 batters while holding opponents to a .217 batting average against.
The South Carolina native (Hanahan High School and former College of Charleston standout) transferred to Kentucky for his final collegiate season, where he excelled as a weekend starter and helped lead the Wildcats to the College World Series. In his pro debut and early development, Pooser has shown pitchability, a fastball in the low-90s, and a promising changeup, with evaluators noting his competitive makeup and strike-throwing ability.
This move adds another arm to the Cardinals’ prospect depth in the lower minors. While Pooser is still early in his professional journey, his performance this year—highlighted by a low walk rate and the ability to miss bats—suggests he could be a valuable piece as he climbs the ladder in the St. Louis system.
Roycroft, a 29-year-old reliever, was designated for assignment by the Cardinals earlier in June after struggling to a 5.84 ERA in Triple-A Memphis this season. The Cardinals had given the tall right-hander (6-foot-8) opportunities in the big leagues over the past few seasons, where he showed ground-ball tendencies but dealt with inconsistency.
The Rays, always active in reshaping their bullpen and roster, acquired Roycroft for a PTBNL or cash and optioned him to Triple-A Durham. Completing the deal with Pooser gives the Cardinals a developmental arm in return while clearing roster space earlier.
Marc Topkin on X (formerly Twitter): “#Rays send minor-league RHP Trey Pooser, a 2024 10th round pick from Kentucky, to #StLCards as player to be named in recent trade for RHP Chris Roycroft. Pooser is 7-1, 3.44 at High A @BGHotRods / X”
Rays send minor-league RHP Trey Pooser, a 2024 10th round pick from Kentucky, to #StLCards as player to be named in recent trade for RHP Chris Roycroft. Pooser is 7-1, 3.44 at High A @BGHotRods
