Cardinals Grab Prospect Chase Hampton Off Waivers

The St. Louis Cardinals claimed right-hander Chase Hampton off waivers from the Washington Nationals, bringing the young pitcher into their organization. Hampton, who just turned 25, was designated for assignment by the Nationals on Saturday—just two weeks after Washington had claimed him off waivers from the New York Yankees. The Cardinals now have 39 players on their 40-man roster following the claim.

A prospect on the move. Hampton was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 draft out of Texas Tech. His recent trip through waivers, bouncing from New York to Washington to St. Louis in a matter of weeks, suggests he's a fringe organizational piece that teams view as expendable depth. Still, the fact that multiple teams claimed him indicates some level of organizational interest in his potential.

What the Cardinals see. By claiming Hampton, St. Louis is betting that either he can develop into useful bullpen depth or that he has enough upside to stash in their minor league system. The Cardinals have been active in adding arms to their organization, and young pitchers with draft pedigree often get chances to prove themselves in a different system.

Minor impact on the big league picture. While Hampton's addition doesn't affect St. Louis's immediate roster, it shows the team is actively working their pipeline heading into the offseason. The Cardinals' depth chart decisions will matter far more for their betting outlook than a prospect claim, but successful organizations typically find value in these kinds of waiver-wire moves.

Source: original report ↗