Prior to making his season and minor league debut on April 7 in a start for Class High-A Peoria, Cardinals prospect Cooper Hjerpe went nearly 300 days between appearances in an official game. The last time Hjerpe, 22, had pitched in a game was on June 12 when he started for Oregon State in an NCAA regional against Auburn.
Then came his minor league debut on April 7, when he gave up three runs and struck out six in 3 1/3 innings in a start for Peoria.
“It’s been a damn long time,” Hjerpe said the day following his MiLB debut.