On March 29th, Matt Pushard allowed three earned runs on just 31 pitches during his brief major league debut, yet the Cardinals have now activated him, bringing their 40-man roster to 39, according to MLBTradeRumors. The Cardinals commit a valuable roster spot to a 28-year-old pitcher with a demonstrated inability to command the strike zone at the highest level, despite his high-velocity fastball.

Matt Pushard has struggled significantly in his limited major league appearances, but his impressive minor league track record and fastball velocity indicate a pitcher with untapped potential. The Cardinals are trading immediate performance for the potential long-term upside of a Rule 5 acquisition, hoping his talent will eventually translate to the big leagues.

  • Matt Pushard, 28, made his big league debut on March 29th, allowing three earned runs on 31 pitches, according to MLBTradeRumors.
  • His total output with the Cardinals includes a 5.14 ERA in seven innings, with six strikeouts against four walks, MLBTradeRumors reports.
  • Pushard pitched 11.1 scoreless innings for Triple-A Jacksonville's title run, according to SI.
  • In 2025, he posted a 3.61 ERA across 49 games, striking out 73 batters in 62.1 innings, SI notes.
  • Pushard's fastball averages 94-96 mph, according to SI.

What is Matt Pushard's Untapped Potential?

Matt Pushard pitched 11.1 scoreless innings for Triple-A Jacksonville's title run, showcasing elite-level performance in the minors. In 2025, he maintained a 3.61 ERA across 49 games, striking out 73 batters in 62.1 innings, according to SI. His fastball averages 94-96 mph, demonstrating the physical tools that attract major league interest.

This stark contrast between Pushard's minor league success and his major league struggles, where he allowed three earned runs on 31 pitches in his debut and has an overall 5.14 ERA, suggests the Cardinals are betting heavily on these physical tools to eventually translate. The organization appears to prioritize his raw, high-velocity arm over immediate, reliable performance, despite clear evidence that his mental or command aspects are not yet major-league ready.