Central STL News

Outfielder Travis Honeyman is making a mark in the Arizona Fall League as a member of the Glendale Desert Dogs. Although there is no official team captain in the league, Honeyman has taken on a leadership role, energizing his teammates and quickly building relationships.

Honeyman, who grew up a Yankees fan on Long Island and played college baseball at Boston College, has experience adapting to new teams, having played in both the New England Collegiate League and Cape Cod League. “Wherever I go, it's all baseball -- same game,” Honeyman said during Fall League Media Day on Oct. 3. “Also, I make friends really quickly. I’ve got a big personality. I've been here for two days and I already know all these guys.”

His older brother, Bobby, played in the Mariners organization and has influenced Honeyman’s career. “I started playing baseball because of my brother Bobby,” Honeyman said. “Everything that I've done throughout my career thus far has been because of him. Even now, after games, he's calling me, texting me, helping me out with my swing and mental stuff.”

Honeyman faced challenges early in his professional career due to left shoulder surgery before the 2023 Draft and subsequent issues that limited his playing time in 2024. Despite being older than most players in the Single-A Florida State League, he started the 2025 season there and performed well, hitting .321 over 29 games for Palm Beach. He then moved to High-A Peoria, where he posted a .390 on-base percentage, ranking ninth in the Midwest League among players with at least 200 plate appearances.

“This is my first true year and it was awesome to get back out there,” Honeyman said. “I love baseball, so being able to play finally was awesome and not just being in rehab, lifting weights every day.”

The St. Louis Cardinals have a history of developing diverse outfield talent, including Lars Nootbaar, Tommy Pham, Jon Jay, and Victor Scott II. The team’s farm system also features prospects such as Ryan Mitchell, Joshua Baez, and Chase Davis.

In the Fall League, Honeyman is showcasing his skills amid questions about his power at the plate. Over 102 games at lower levels, he hit only three home runs but recently hit a 429-foot homer for Glendale on Oct. 8. “Yeah, I got pop. I haven't shown too much of it yet, but I got pop,” Honeyman laughed. “Hopefully down here, and maybe next season, we'll see more of it. But I got in the tank.”

Other Cardinals players participating in the Fall League include catcher Graysen Tarlow and outfielder Miguel Ugueto. Tarlow advanced to Double-A Springfield this season and posted a .401 on-base percentage across two levels. Ugueto reached Double-A as well but has seen limited playing time due to injuries.

Several Cardinals pitchers are also competing: Chen-Wei Lin made history as the team’s first player signed from Taiwan and has demonstrated strong velocity but needs to improve control; Tyler Bradt advanced to Double-A after performing well at High-A; D.J. Carpenter is Rule 5 Draft-eligible and looking to prove he can move up quickly; Randel Clemente brings a dynamic pitching arsenal but must work on command; Darlin Saladin continues to develop as a multi-inning option and presents an interesting case for the Rule 5 Draft.

The Arizona Fall League offers these players opportunities to further their development and showcase their abilities against advanced competition.