A former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder has quickly moved on to a new opportunity after being released, as he now joins a new organization in hopes of continuing his professional baseball journey. Outfielder Mike Antico, once part of the Cardinals’ minor league pipeline, has signed with the Colorado Rockies organization shortly after being let go, marking a fresh start in a different system.
Antico was originally selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft and spent several seasons developing within their farm system. He began his professional career at the Class-A level with Palm Beach in 2021 and steadily climbed through the organization over the following years. From 2021 through 2026, he progressed through multiple minor league levels, eventually reaching Triple-A Memphis. Despite his steady rise and consistent effort in the system, he was never able to break through to the major league roster.
On May 12, the Cardinals decided to move on from Antico, officially granting him and catcher Carlos Linárez their unconditional releases. The decision ended Antico’s long run within the organization, where he had served as a depth outfielder and developmental prospect for several seasons. While he was never considered a top-tier headline prospect at the national level, he remained a useful organizational piece and at one point was ranked among the Cardinals’ top 25 prospects.
His time in Triple-A Memphis showed both his potential and his challenges at the highest level of the minor leagues. In the 2026 season, he appeared in only six games for Memphis before his release and struggled at the plate, finishing with just one hit in 20 at-bats. However, his 2025 campaign demonstrated more of his capabilities. That year, he played in 104 games for Memphis and produced a solid offensive line, batting .279 with a .366 on-base percentage and a .420 slugging percentage. He recorded a .786 OPS, along with seven home runs, 57 runs batted in, 21 stolen bases, 21 doubles, and 53 runs scored. Those numbers highlighted his ability to contribute in multiple ways, including speed and gap power, even while playing just one step below the major leagues.
Back in 2023, Antico was ranked as the Cardinals’ No. 23 overall prospect, reflecting the organization’s belief in his potential at the time. However, as competition increased and roster decisions tightened, he was unable to secure a promotion to the big league club.
Now, Antico begins a new chapter with the Colorado Rockies organization after signing a minor league contract. He has been assigned to the ACL Rockies, where he will look to rebuild momentum and prove he can still develop into a useful depth option. Colorado, a team that has recently gone through significant roster turnover and struggled in the standings, may provide opportunities for players to rise quickly through the system if they perform well.
The Rockies are currently in a rebuilding phase, and additional roster movement is expected as the organization evaluates talent leading up to future trade deadlines. If Antico can rediscover his 2025 form, he could move up the ladder relatively quickly within his new organization.
Interestingly, the Cardinals will face the Rockies at Busch Stadium in a three-game series beginning August 7, setting up a potential reunion between Antico and his former team in the near future.
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