DETROIT, MI - JUNE 23: A detailed view of the Franklin batting gloves worn by Paul DeJong #11 of the St. Louis Cardinals while he waits on-deck to bat during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 23, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Cardinals 6-2. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Cardinals Call Up Lifelong Friends Matthew Liberatore, Nolan Gorman on Same Day

Doric SamMay 19, 2022

The St. Louis Cardinals called up a pair of prospects on Thursday who share an interesting backstory.

Matthew Liberatore and Nolan Gorman have been lifelong best friends, and now they will be joining a major league team together.

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An infielder who plays both second and third base, Gorman is ranked as the No. 29 overall prospect in MLB while Liberatore, a lefty pitcher, is ranked No. 39.

Liberatore and Gorman were selected three picks apart in the 2018 MLB draft. The Tampa Bay Rays chose the southpaw hurler with the 16th pick, and the Cardinals landed Gorman at No. 19. Tampa Bay traded Liberatore to St. Louis in January 2020 as part of a deal centered around Randy Arozarena.

The Cardinals fell to 20-18 on Thursday with a 7-6 loss to the New York Mets in 10 innings on a walk-off two-run homer by Pete Alonso. St. Louis will begin a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.