St. Louis Cardinals

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Lore & Background

Woodford's path to the majors began at Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, where he was teammates with Kyle Tucker and posted a 7–0 record with a 0.67 ERA as a senior. Drafted 39th overall by the Cardinals in 2015, he signed instead of honoring his commitment to the University of Florida. He climbed through the Cardinals' system, earning All-Star honors in the Midwest League (2016), Texas League (2018), and Pacific Coast League (2019). His MLB debut came on August 15, 2020, against the Chicago White Sox, where he pitched three innings, allowed one earned run, and struck out three. Over parts of four seasons with St. Louis, he appeared in 27 games in 2022 and went 4–0 with a 2.23 ERA across 48+1⁄3 innings. The Cardinals non-tendered him in November 2023.

In Their Own Story

On August 15, 2020, Woodford took the mound for his major league debut against the Chicago White Sox. He pitched three innings, giving up one earned run and striking out three. For the 2020 season, he went 1–0 with a 5.57 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 21 innings. In 2021, he worked mainly as a reliever but also started eight games in the second half, finishing 3–4 with a 3.99 ERA and 50 strikeouts over 67+2⁄3 innings. His most effective stretch came in 2022, when he was recalled and optioned multiple times from the Memphis Redbirds. In 27 games (one start) with the Cardinals, he went 4–0 with a 2.23 ERA across 48+1⁄3 innings. He was reassigned to the minors on October 9, 2022, and activated again on January 17, 2023. On November 17, 2023, the Cardinals non-tendered him.

Reader's Guide

Woodford's time with the Cardinals spanned from his draft in 2015 through the 2023 season. He made his professional debut with the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Cardinals in 2015, going 1–0 with a 2.39 ERA in eight games. In 2016, he pitched for the Peoria Chiefs, earning a Midwest League All-Star selection while posting a 5–5 record and a 3.31 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 21 starts. The next year, with the Palm Beach Cardinals, he went 7–6 with a 3.10 ERA in 23 games (21 starts). He was a non-roster invitee to 2018 spring training. That season, he began with the Springfield Cardinals, earning a Texas League All-Star nod, and was promoted to the Memphis Redbirds. In 16 starts for Springfield he compiled a 3–8 record with a 5.22 ERA, and in 12 starts for Memphis he was 5–5 with a 4.50 ERA. He returned to Memphis in 2019, earning Pacific Coast League All-Star honors. Over 26 starts, he went 9–8 with a 4.15 ERA, striking out 131 batters over 151+2⁄3 innings. The Cardinals added him to their 40-man roster after the 2019 season. He was promoted to the majors on July 28, 2020.

Did You Know?

• Woodford was drafted 39th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015 out of Plant High School in Tampa, Florida.
• He was teammates with Kyle Tucker at Plant High School.
• Woodford made his MLB debut on August 15, 2020, against the Chicago White Sox, pitching three innings and allowing one earned run.
• In 2022, Woodford went 4–0 with a 2.23 ERA across 48+1⁄3 innings for the Cardinals.
• Woodford was non-tendered by the Cardinals on November 17, 2023.

Early Promise and Draft Selection

Jacob Robert Woodford's journey to professional baseball began in Tampa, Florida, where he attended Plant High School alongside future major leaguer Kyle Tucker. As a senior, Woodford dominated the mound with an undefeated 7–0 record and a remarkably low 0.67 ERA, showcasing his potential early on. Although he committed to playing college baseball at the University of Florida, his talent attracted significant attention from professional scouts. In the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, the St. Louis Cardinals selected him with the 39th overall pick. Woodford chose to sign immediately with the organization rather than honor his collegiate commitment, marking the start of his professional career. His initial season in 2015 was spent entirely within the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Cardinals system. During this foundational year, he pitched in eight games, compiling a solid 1–0 record and maintaining a 2.39 ERA, setting the stage for his ascent through the minor league ranks.

Minor League Ascent and All-Star Honors

Following his rookie campaign, Woodford steadily climbed the Cardinals' farm system, earning recognition for his consistent performance across multiple levels. In 2016, he pitched for the Peoria Chiefs in the Midwest League, where his efforts earned him an All-Star selection while posting a 5–5 record with 82 strikeouts. The following year saw him advance to the Palm Beach Cardinals, where he improved slightly on his ERA despite a mixed win-loss record. By 2018, Woodford had reached the Double-A level with the Springfield Cardinals, earning another All-Star nod before being promoted mid-season to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. His time in Memphis proved pivotal; after returning there for the 2019 season, he was named a Pacific Coast League All-Star. Over 26 starts that year, he struck out 131 batters and posted a respectable 4.15 ERA. This sustained success culminated in his addition to St. Louis' 40-man roster following the conclusion of the 2019 season, signaling his readiness for the major leagues.

Major League Debut and Cardinals Tenure

Woodford finally reached the big stage on August 15, 2020, making his Major League debut against the Chicago White Sox after being promoted from Memphis. In his initial outing, he pitched three innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out three batters. His rookie season with the Cardinals was brief but notable, as he finished with a 1–0 record and a 5.57 ERA over 21 innings of work. The following year, he served primarily in a relief role though he did start eight games during the second half of 2021, accumulating 50 strikeouts across nearly 68 innings. His most effective period with St. Louis occurred in 2022, where he shuttled between the majors and Triple-A Memphis. During his major league appearances that year, he was particularly dominant, going 4–0 with a stellar 2.23 ERA over 48+1⁄3 innings. Despite this strong finish to his tenure, Woodford was non-tendered by the organization in November 2023, ending his initial chapter with the Cardinals.

Wanderings Through Multiple Organizations

After leaving St. Louis, Woodford embarked on a nomadic journey through several franchises, often navigating the complexities of minor league contracts and roster moves. He briefly joined the Chicago White Sox in early 2024 but was designated for assignment after struggling in two starts. His path then led him to the Pittsburgh Pirates later that year, where he experienced significant volatility; despite a strong Triple-A showing, his major league stint resulted in an 0–4 record and a high ERA before he elected free agency. In 2025, he signed with the Colorado Rockies but opted out quickly, moving on to the New York Yankees organization only to opt out again after a short spring. He subsequently spent time with the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks, where he recorded three saves in relief work before being designated for assignment. His career continued into 2026 with the Milwaukee Brewers following a trade from Tampa Bay, though he struggled there as well before eventually becoming a free agent once more.

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