Tracking the Cardinals UDFA signings

The shortened draft left a plethora of available talent that would otherwise have found a home. So, the undrafted free agent process is getting a lot more attention this year than it usually would.

UDFA signing rules are pretty simple, a team can offer no more than 20k to a player and there are no limits to how many players a team can sign. The process started today.

This list will be updated as information on new signings comes in.

OF Matt Chamberlain, New Haven

Chamberlain is a 6’2, 200 pound lefty swinger who boasts a couple of New England area collegiate ball All-Star appearances. On his college career, he slashed .297/.471/.453 with an impressive 78:126 K:BB ratio and 48 SB. During his last full season in 2019 he was a First Team All-Region selection by ABCA, and First-Team All-Conference for the NE10.

LHP Mac Lardner , Gonzaga

Lardner was off to a hot start in 2020 before the season was shortened, posting a 2.55 ERA with 33 strikeouts and only 8 walks in 24.2 innings of work. The 6’4, 195 pound southpaw was a bright spot on several occasions for Gonzaga, including being an all-confrence honorable mention in 2019.

Ralph Lifshitz with Prospects Live saw Lardner in the Cape Cod League and wrote about him here.

His big frame and relatively simple mechanics leave some hope that he can channel his strength and size into some additional fastball velocity. Not the most exciting player, but he works fast, throws strikes, and changes speeds

LHP Omar Sanchez, B-You Prospects Academy, Caguas, P.R.

Pretty much all the information to be found on the 18-year-old lefty is in his Perfect Game player profile. He’s 5’10” and 185 pounds, meaning there’s room for projection. His fastball topped at 91 on the showcase circuit, and he was named to 2019 Florida Prospect Showcase Top Prospect List.

Gianluca Dalatri, RHP, UNC

The Cardinals just signed the big bodied Tar Heel righty who stands 6’4” and 240 pounds. He shined in 2019, posting a 2.25 ERA and 35 strikeouts over 32 innings of work. He didn’t pitch in 2020 because of hip surgery he underwent in February. According to his UNC profile, his recovery timetable isn’t known.

3B/OF Matt Koperniak, Trinity

Koperniak played 106 games at Trinity in Connecticut, hitting .373/.464/.587 and only struck out 34 times in that span. He also stole 48 bases and hit 13 homers. He was All-NESCAC First Team as a sophomore and D3Baseball.com awarded him third team All-New England.

RHP Jacob Buchberger, Davenport, MI

Background on Buchberger starts a year ago when he was nearly drafted. But he wasn’t. If the draft weren’t only five rounds he likely would’ve been taken this year too, but instead he’s signed on with the Cardinals. He’s listed as a pitcher, but he also hit .525 with 6 homers in 15 games. As a pitcher he threw 16 innings with a 2.81 and a 15:3 K:BB ratio before the season was cancelled. Unfortunately, I can’t find any video of him pitching, but here’s a homerun swing.

C Nick Raposo, Wheaton (Mass.)

Yes, his name does sound like Rapsodo. He played in 8 games before the season was cancelled and slashed .406/.463/.469, with a career line of .366/.440/.505. A very good hitter at the Division III level, especially at the catcher position. He was named the Wheaton Male Athlete of the Year twice.

RHP Nick Trogrlic-Iverson, Gonzaga

Another Gonzaga pitcher is headed to the Cardinals. Trogrlic-Iverson was off to a great start in his 4 appearances before the shortened season, posting a 3.80 ERA in 21.1 innings, with a 20:3 K:BB ratio. There’s some room for projection in his 6’1” and 175 pound frame. He was also the Vaqueros Male Athlete of the Year as a sophomore at Central Arizona Community College.