St. Louis Cardinals claim Chase Hampton

The St. Louis Cardinals have claimed starting pitcher Chase Hampton off of waivers from the Washington Nationals. Hampton, 25, was 0-6 with an 8.18 ERA, 17 games, 17 starts, 55 innings, 56 strikeouts, 34 walks, and a whip of 1.78 combined between Low-A Tampa, High-A Hudson Valley, and Double-A Somerset in 2026. 

The Nationals had claimed Hampton off of waivers from the New York Yankees on September 12, 2026.

Hampton had his best season in 2023, combined between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. That season, Hampton was 4-3 with a 4.30 ERA, 20 games, 20 starts, 106.2 innings, 145 strikeouts, 37 walks, and a whip of 1.14. The wins, games, starts, and innings were all career highs for Hampton.

Overall, Hampton has played 3 minor league seasons. Hampton is 4-10 with a 4.89 ERA, 44 games, 44 starts, 180.1 innings, 217 strikeouts, 80 walks, and a whip of 1.33.

Hampton is a former top 100 prospect who returned from Tommy John surgery in May. This season, Hampton reached 92-94 mph on his fastball; in the past that reached 97 mph,

Hampton seems he is a solid lottery ticket pickup for the Cardinals. If Hampton sticks on the Cardinals 40-man roster, could be end up as a reliever? 

The Cardinals 40-man roster now stands at 39.