Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

Garrett Hampson Throws Three-Pitch Inning in Cardinals Debut

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jayden Pettus | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 11:50 PM ET

Garrett Hampson made his debut for the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday after being claimed off of waivers from the Cincinatti Reds and ended up on the mound during the 8-0 blowout loss.

The 30-year-old was in the starting lineup for the Cardinals, playing in center field. He ended up going 0-for-3 at the dish, but it was his performance on the other side of the ball that stood out in his Cardinal debut.

Hampson was called upon to save the team's bullpen in the top of the ninth - the first position player to pitch for the team in their Cardinal debut since Cody McKay on April 8, 2004 - and he came up big, retiring the side on just three pitches.

Cardinals' manager Oliver Marmol told reporters after the game that he asked Hampson if he'd ever pitched before he went to the on-deck circle in the eighth, to which Hampson replied that he had. Marmol called Hampson a "versatile player" but said that he probably didn't imagine he'd be pitching when he joined the team this morning.

The former third-round pick had in fact pitched before - at the big league level, no less - completing an inning of work for the Kansas City Royals last season in which he allowed just one base runner on a hit by pitch.

Outside of his stellar pitching performance, the utility man made a great grab in center field, covering 61 feet before sliding to rob the Chicago Cubs' Nico Hoerner of extra bases in the second inning.

Staying true to his versatility, Hampson also turned in a solid performance at shortstop after being moved from center late in the game.

The Cardinals are the sixth stop - third this year - in Hampson's seven-plus year career. He's currently batting .157 with just eight hits in 51 at-bats for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Reds and Cardinals.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: