Double-A Relief Pitcher Shines in First Outing in Arizona Fall League Play

Added as a participant to the Arizona Fall League when prized starter Brandon Clarke was dropped because of an elbow issue, St. Louis Cardinals’ relief prospect Nolan Sparks showed immediately that he belonged in his first game action on Sunday.

Sparks, a 13th round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief without giving up a hit on Sunday as the Peoria (Ariz.) Javelinas lost 4-3 to the Mesa Solar Sox in Day 2 action of the Arizona Fall League. Sparks threw 16 four-seam fastballs that had an average velocity of 95.8 mph and he got out-of-the-zone swings on four of them. Sparks' 90.5 mph cutter was also a big reason behind his success in his first AFL action.

Sparks, 24, is one of nine Cardinals prospects competing in the Arizona Fall League, an offseason platform that the Cards have used as a finishing school, of sorts, for prospects needing extra reps or ones close to making the leap to the big leagues. In past years, Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn, Thomas Saggese, Michael McGreevy and Leo Bernal have played in the AFL before making the jump to the big leagues.

Cardinals’ outfield prospect Tai Peete, who had a long homer and a double in his first action on Saturday, led off Sunday’s game with an opposite-field single. Peete, who intrigues scouts with his rare blend of power and speed, is the No. 17-ranked prospect in the Cardinals’ Minor League system, per MLB Pipeline.

Right-handed pitcher Tekoah Roby, infielder Sammy Hernandez, third baseman Cade McGee, left-handed pitcher Michael Watson right-handed pitchers Nate Dohm, Frank Elissalt and Joseph King, Sparks and Peete make up the Cardinals’ contingent playing in Arizona. Roby, the No. 14-ranked prospect in the Cardinals’ Minor League system, missed all of the 2026 season after having Tommy John surgery in 2025 and is being brought along slowly this fall.

Cardinals' Outfield Prospect Opens Eyes with Long Homer at Arizona Fall League

Clarke, the No. 9 prospect in the Cards system, was dropped from the Fall League roster after the club discovered that the hard-throwing left-hander has loose bodies in his left elbow that will require arthroscopic surgery. Clarke is expected to be ready for Instructional Camp in January, the Cardinals say.

With Clarke out, the Cardinals added King and Sparks to Peoria’s roster. King, who has been a part of the Cardinals’ system since 2022, pitched in seven games with Double-A Springfield in 2026 after missing all of the 2025 season with an arm injury.    

Cardinals’ prospects are playing alongside those from the Mariners, Orioles, Padres and Reds to make up the Peoria (Ariz.) Javelinas. Peoria rallied for a 7-6 win over Mesa (Angels, Athletics, Blue Jays, Cubs and Red Sox) on Saturday. Peoria won despite falling behind 6-0, with their comeback beginning with Peete’s fourth-inning solo shot.

Sparks pitched well in relief on Sunday by registering two strike outs and two fly outs. He did walk two batters, but he was not scored upon. Of his 35 pitches, 18 were strikes.

Sparks started the 2026 season at High-A Peoria (Ill.), where he went 5-5 with a 5.25 ERA. In 48 innings, he fanned 51 batters and registered a hold and a save.

The Rochester University product was promoted to Double-A Springfield on July 18, and he pitched well for the playoff-bound Cards. In 17 appearances, he posted a 2.79 ERA, two holds and a save. Also, he struck out 28 batters in 19 1/3 innings of work and held the opposition to .186 at the plate.

Sparks saw relief action in three playoff games for Springfield, which fell short in its bid to win a second straight Texas League crown. He allowed four hits and three earned runs with three strikeouts in Springfield’s Game 3 loss to Amarillo in the Texas League championship series.