Southaven’s Jordan joins Redbirds
Aug. 6, 2025 – For Blaze Jordan, baseball has come full circle.
The 22-year-old Southaven native, once a standout slugger at DeSoto Central High School and a top prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization, is now wearing new colors and playing just miles from home. Jordan was recently traded to the St. Louis Cardinals and was assigned to the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds.
“It’s kind of surreal,” Jordan said. “I came to games here when I was younger and thought it was so cool just watching these guys play. I never dreamed I’d be out here as a Redbird. Maybe as a visitor someday — but to call this my home field now, it’s pretty special.”
Jordan’s journey to Memphis began near the MLB trade deadline late one night when he got the call from Red Sox executive Brian Abraham informing him he was headed to St. Louis in a trade.
“It was about 11:45 at night,” Jordan recalled. “I was about to go to sleep when the phone rang. As soon as I saw who it was, I had a feeling. When he told me it was the Cardinals, I couldn’t have been more excited. I called my family right away — and a bunch of my friends are huge Cardinals fans, so they were fired up.”
Jordan said playing close to home has already been rewarding, with friends and family — including some who rarely got to travel to the Northeast — finally able to watch him in person again.
“They’ve been coming out already. It just means a lot to be around my grandparents, my brother, my niece, my family,” he said. “It’s easier for them now. That part means the world to me.”
Jordan, known nationally since his early teens for prodigious home runs and eye-popping power, was once dubbed a “baseball phenom” by prep baseball watchers. That hype came with pressure, he admitted.
“There was a time when I was younger that I didn’t enjoy being a kid as much because of the expectations,” he said. “But I think going through that made me stronger. Now, I just focus on working hard, staying grounded, and trying to be the best teammate and ballplayer I can be.”
After splitting his 2025 season between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in the Red Sox system, Jordan says he’s well-adjusted to the level of play in Triple-A.
“It’s still the same game,” he said. “The guys up here are just more experienced. A lot of them have debuted. They execute their plans really well, and that’s helped me adjust. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of that.”
Jordan prides himself on being a complete player but says his bat-to-ball skills are his calling card.
“My strength is putting the ball in play and making something happen,” he said. “I really don’t like striking out. I focus on quality contact — the power will come.”
The Redbirds have used Jordan at both corner infield spots — first base and third — and he’s happy to play wherever needed.
“Honestly, I don’t have a preference,” he said. “I’m super comfortable at both. Whatever gets me in the lineup and helps the team win, that’s what I want to do — even if it’s somewhere else on the field.”
Jordan’s arrival adds another layer to Memphis’ strong pipeline of talent, and he’s eager to learn from teammates who’ve already reached the majors.
“I just want to soak it in,” he said. “A lot of these guys have been there. I’m trying to learn what it takes, how they carry themselves, how they prepare. That’s what it’s all about.”
For Jordan, returning to the Mid-South — and being one step away from the big leagues — is a chance to both reflect and push forward.
“This is the goal,” he said. “To be a long-time big leaguer. That’s the dream. And I’m going to do everything I can to make it happen — right here, close to home.”
