SEATTLE – Tossing some underhand batting practice to school-age players he was coaching turned into some overhand throws, and it was then, while actively trying to throw pitches the kids could hit, that Nick Raquet realized he should take another shot at throwing ones pros could not.
“Maybe I might do this again,†the lefty recalled thinking.
Two years removed from independent baseball and five from stepping away from baseball entirely to pursue a life in finance, Raquet made his major-league debut late Monday night. He pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the Cardinals in their 4-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Field. Raquet became the third reliever this season to make his major-league debut with the Cardinals, but his story is unlike any other.
Three years ago, this year’s debuts were prospects.
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Three years ago, Raquet was working finance in Washington D.C.
“Wasn’t really my favorite thing,†the lefty said. “Just passion (brought baseball back). Just feeling like fulfilled in what I was doing. I think that was a big thing I was missing in the business world. Finance ended up not being the best fit for me. I had the courage to go pursue something that I wanted to do.â€
The Cardinals promoted Raquet – pronounced Ra-Kay – on Monday, adding him to the 40-player roster and the active roster in a series of moves. The club designated utility fielder Garrett Hampson for assignment to open a spot on the 40 and then optioned right-hander Andre Granillo to Class AAA Memphis for an opening in the bullpen. The Cardinals wanted to add a second lefty to their relief options ahead of facing the Mariners and the Milwaukee Brewers on this road trip.
A second lefty targeted at the middle-inning matchups would allow them to save JoJo Romero for closing opportunities.
Raquet, 29, had a 0.77 ERA in 25 games for Class AA Springfield, and he struck out 38 in 35 innings. He has a sinker and sweeping slider that can make it tricky for left-handed batters, and he has a changeup that can challenge right-handed batters. He started off his major-league career with a 91-mph sinker for a strike and promptly got two fly balls and a groundout to retire all three batters he faced.
“I got really good advice to just, look, you’re in a different stadium with a lot more people, with a lot better hitters, but it’s the same game,†Raquet said. “You’re doing the same stuff, and that is what I tried to do.â€
The view in that seventh was a lot better than an office window.
Selected by Washington in the third round of the 2017 draft, Raquet reached High-A with the Nationals and had an appearance at the invitation-only Arizona Fall League. When the minors shut down during the pandemic and cancelled the 2020 season, Raquet took those months to return to college at William & Mary and finish his finance degree. As he did, job offers came – and turned traded a button-jersey for a button-up dress shirt.
“I think I was just frustrated with how everything was going in my career at that point,†Raquet said. “Frustrated with my progress. Frustrated with my own development and where my life was at that point. Kind of looking back on it – it was a pretty emotional decision. Going all, ‘I’m done with that. I want to go see what else is out there.’â€
While giving lessons and coaching at facilities out near Dulles Airport, Raquet started to feel that itch again to pitch, the thrill of chasing a ball around that wasn’t there moving numbers around. The BP to kids turned into playing catch more vigorously, with intent to get hitters out.
His opponent or his teammate was the same: a net.
“When you play catch in the Northeast, you play catch with a net a ton,†he said.
Those workouts turned into attempts at pro days and throws for scouts and then ultimately an offer from York in the independent Atlantic League. In 2023, four years removed from his last pro pitch, Raquet went 13-7 with a 3.71 ERA in 24 starts. That earned a minor-league offer from the Cardinals, and he split time between Class AA Springfield and Class AAA Memphis in 2024. The Cardinals released him in September as changes started to roll through the club’s development system, but in January they reached out with another minor-league offer. This season, he’s had 11 games at Triple-A Memphis and the strong turn at 8-1 in 25 games for Double-A Springfield.
“We want to give him an opportunity and see what it looks like up here for him,†manager Oli Marmo said. “Will be good to see him against big-league hitters.â€
Raquet was able to mobilize his family, his girlfriend, several friends, and his agent to get them to Seattle for the debut.
Although he did almost miss the call he left the business to chase.
Following Memphis’ game on Sunday, Raquet went for a walk with girlfriend along the Mississippi River, not too far from Mud Island. He explained how they just wanted to be outside enjoying the weather – and, yes, he left his phone behind. When he returned to it, there were around five missed calls from Memphis manager Ben Johnson. The call to the majors was waiting – but first Raquet had to call back. Being out on a stroll when that call came was fitting. He took a few detours on the long way to the majors.
“It’s the path less traveled,†Raquet said. “But it’s been worth it.â€
Donovan poised for return, Arenado on deck
Brendan Donovan could return to the Cardinals’ lineup as soon as this weekend when the team heads to Milwaukee for a three-game series.
Donovan and Nolan Arenado faced lefty John King during a live batting practice session held Monday at Busch Stadium. Donovan was set to report to Class AA Springfield on Tuesday and play six innings at second base to officially begin a rehab assignment. Arenado will be a day behind him if his workout Tuesday at Busch Stadium goes well. Arenado will face pitchers from Class A Peoria at Busch and then begin his rehab assignment with the Double-A S-Cards on Wednesday alongside Donovan.
King is set to start his rehab assignment Wednesday with the S-Cards.
Marmol said it’s possible that Donovan, who played a month with a sprained toe before going on the IL, will start a few games in Springfield and be ready to return to the lineup against the Brewers. Arenado and the Cardinals are aiming for his return Monday when the team opens a home series against Cincinnati.
Extra bases
Jon Jay handled coaching duties at first base with Stubby Clapp away from the team to attend to a personal matter. Jay was Miami’s first-base coach in 2024. … With his first appearance, Raquet will become the sixth Cardinal to make his major-league debut this season. The previous five: pitchers Andre Granillo and Matt Svanson, infielder Cesar Prieto, outfielder Nathan Church, and catcher Jimmy Crooks. If Raquet debuts against the Mariners, he’ll join So Taguchi as the only Cardinals to play in their first major-league game in Seattle.
