Top 20 Prospects: St. Louis Cardinals
1. Oscar Taveras, OF, A
Taveras is an exceptional all-around hitter who has had great success at every level. He's a young, exciting talent and definitely one to watch.
2. Shelby Miller, RHP, A
Miller is falling down some boards due to a subpar first half, but I believe he is still an elite pitching prospect. A good second half would certainly ease some concerns. The increased walk rate is the main concern for me, but he is still striking out batters at a high clip. He's still elite.
3. Carlos Martinez, RHP, A-
Martinez has electric, frontline stuff. He's a bit undersized, but has the control and stuff to be a number 2 starter. He could be an ace if the command improves.
4. Kolten Wong, 2B, B+
Wong is just a very good all around player and excellent hitter. He's not going to be elite, but he plays above his tools and does most things well.
5. Michael Wacha, RHP, B
A first round pick in 2012, Wacha is a very good pitcher who has number 3 starter upside.
6. Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, B
Jenkins has an extremely high ceiling as a possible number 2 starter, with very good raw stuff and excellent athleticism (he could have played quarterback at Baylor), but he also has a very low floor. His control has regressed a bit this year, but he has a long time to hammer things out.
7. John Gast, LHP, B
Gast is showing better control this year and could be a decent number 3 starter if all goes according to plan.
8. Anthony Garcia, OF, B-
Garcia has serious potential with his power bat, but he also has some swing and miss to his game, which will probably not change as he climbs the ladder.
9. Stephen Piscotty, 3B, B-
Good pure hitter, but could end up like Cox, where he does not develop enough power to be anything better than average at the hot corner.
10. James Ramsey, OF, B-
Ramsey is a solid all around player. He does a bit of everything and is the kind of player you want on your team.
11. Jordan Swagerty, RHP, C+
Swagerty underwent Tommy John surgery this year. He would’ve ranked much higher, possibly as high as 5th, but the uncertainty is a big question.
12. Charlie Tilson, OF, C+
Tilson is a speedy leadoff type, but is out all year with a separated right shoulder.
13. C.J. McElroy, OF, C+
McElroy is a raw, speedy outfielder who shows a good feel for hitting.
14. Lance Jeffries, OF, C+
Another raw, speedy outfielder, who flashes all five tools and especially shows good power potential.
15. Max Foody, LHP, C+
Foody could end up a reliever, where we believe he profiles better, but he has good stuff for a high schooler, albeit with some injury risk.
16. Boone Whiting, RHP, C+
Whiting has considerable upside, and one of my favorite breakout prospects from last year, but has not thrown at all this year due to injury.
17. Carson Kelly, 3B, C+
Kelly has big power potential, with a solid glove. He could end up on the mound if he can’t make enough contact at the plate.
18. Seth Blair, RHP, C/C+
Blair was pretty highly regarded out of Arizona State. He could wind up in the bullpen after having command and injury problems thus far.
19. Thomas Pham, OF, C/C+
Pham has lots of tools, but is highly injury prone and has been out since early April this year.
20. Patrick Wisdom, 3B, C/C+
Huge power, but he may not make enough contact to tap into it. We find him to be a very intriguing and enigmatic prospect.
21. Cody Stanley, C, C/C+
Stanley is a very solid defensive catcher, is old for his level and is not much of a hitter, but could a big league back up alone due to the glove.
22. Kyle Hald, LHP, C/C+
Excellent control lefty, could be a solid back end of the rotation guy.
23. Adam Reifer, RHP, C/C+
Is fairly old, but could be a good reliever, scouts seem to really like his stuff.
24. Jonathan Rodriguez, 1B/3B, C/C+
Solid hitter, but may be limited to first base which would hurt his value.
25. Steve Bean, C, C/C+
A catcher who projects some power is valuable, but he is a long way away and will need to make more consistent contact.
26. Breyvic Valera, 2B, C/C+
Valera is good average hitter, but does not have much pop to speak of.
27. Victor De Leon, RHP, C/C+
Taveras is an exceptional all-around hitter who has had great success at every level. He's a young, exciting talent and definitely one to watch.
2. Shelby Miller, RHP, A
Miller is falling down some boards due to a subpar first half, but I believe he is still an elite pitching prospect. A good second half would certainly ease some concerns. The increased walk rate is the main concern for me, but he is still striking out batters at a high clip. He's still elite.
3. Carlos Martinez, RHP, A-
Martinez has electric, frontline stuff. He's a bit undersized, but has the control and stuff to be a number 2 starter. He could be an ace if the command improves.
4. Kolten Wong, 2B, B+
Wong is just a very good all around player and excellent hitter. He's not going to be elite, but he plays above his tools and does most things well.
5. Michael Wacha, RHP, B
A first round pick in 2012, Wacha is a very good pitcher who has number 3 starter upside.
6. Tyrell Jenkins, RHP, B
Jenkins has an extremely high ceiling as a possible number 2 starter, with very good raw stuff and excellent athleticism (he could have played quarterback at Baylor), but he also has a very low floor. His control has regressed a bit this year, but he has a long time to hammer things out.
7. John Gast, LHP, B
Gast is showing better control this year and could be a decent number 3 starter if all goes according to plan.
8. Anthony Garcia, OF, B-
Garcia has serious potential with his power bat, but he also has some swing and miss to his game, which will probably not change as he climbs the ladder.
9. Stephen Piscotty, 3B, B-
Good pure hitter, but could end up like Cox, where he does not develop enough power to be anything better than average at the hot corner.
10. James Ramsey, OF, B-
Ramsey is a solid all around player. He does a bit of everything and is the kind of player you want on your team.
11. Jordan Swagerty, RHP, C+
Swagerty underwent Tommy John surgery this year. He would’ve ranked much higher, possibly as high as 5th, but the uncertainty is a big question.
12. Charlie Tilson, OF, C+
Tilson is a speedy leadoff type, but is out all year with a separated right shoulder.
13. C.J. McElroy, OF, C+
McElroy is a raw, speedy outfielder who shows a good feel for hitting.
14. Lance Jeffries, OF, C+
Another raw, speedy outfielder, who flashes all five tools and especially shows good power potential.
15. Max Foody, LHP, C+
Foody could end up a reliever, where we believe he profiles better, but he has good stuff for a high schooler, albeit with some injury risk.
16. Boone Whiting, RHP, C+
Whiting has considerable upside, and one of my favorite breakout prospects from last year, but has not thrown at all this year due to injury.
17. Carson Kelly, 3B, C+
Kelly has big power potential, with a solid glove. He could end up on the mound if he can’t make enough contact at the plate.
18. Seth Blair, RHP, C/C+
Blair was pretty highly regarded out of Arizona State. He could wind up in the bullpen after having command and injury problems thus far.
19. Thomas Pham, OF, C/C+
Pham has lots of tools, but is highly injury prone and has been out since early April this year.
20. Patrick Wisdom, 3B, C/C+
Huge power, but he may not make enough contact to tap into it. We find him to be a very intriguing and enigmatic prospect.
21. Cody Stanley, C, C/C+
Stanley is a very solid defensive catcher, is old for his level and is not much of a hitter, but could a big league back up alone due to the glove.
22. Kyle Hald, LHP, C/C+
Excellent control lefty, could be a solid back end of the rotation guy.
23. Adam Reifer, RHP, C/C+
Is fairly old, but could be a good reliever, scouts seem to really like his stuff.
24. Jonathan Rodriguez, 1B/3B, C/C+
Solid hitter, but may be limited to first base which would hurt his value.
25. Steve Bean, C, C/C+
A catcher who projects some power is valuable, but he is a long way away and will need to make more consistent contact.
26. Breyvic Valera, 2B, C/C+
Valera is good average hitter, but does not have much pop to speak of.
27. Victor De Leon, RHP, C/C+
2012 Draft Review: St. Louis Cardinals
Overall Draft Grade: A-
The Cardinals got a very good group of talented college players at the top. Wacha has the chance to be an above-average starter at the next level and the trio of Ramsey, Piscotty and Wisdom have all shown potential with the bat. All 4 should be signable as well, and that money has already saved cap space to sign Carson Kelly. Mejia out of Arizona is an intriguing shortstop prospect with outstanding defense who's no slouch with the bat either. Overall, there's a lot of depth and balance in this class and the Cardinals walked away with a good amount talent with the financial flexibility to sign all of their top selections.
1st Round (19): Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M (JR), 6'6", 195
Wacha is good value here and is a solid college righty with above-average stuff and the ceiling of a good #3 starter at the next level. He uses his big lanky frame to throw downhill and pound the strike zone with a fastball that sits in the 92-93 range. His secondary stuff isn't going to be much more than average, but his good approach to pitching, great pitcher's frame and strong present fastball suggest success for Wacha in the future.
The Cardinals got a very good group of talented college players at the top. Wacha has the chance to be an above-average starter at the next level and the trio of Ramsey, Piscotty and Wisdom have all shown potential with the bat. All 4 should be signable as well, and that money has already saved cap space to sign Carson Kelly. Mejia out of Arizona is an intriguing shortstop prospect with outstanding defense who's no slouch with the bat either. Overall, there's a lot of depth and balance in this class and the Cardinals walked away with a good amount talent with the financial flexibility to sign all of their top selections.
1st Round (19): Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M (JR), 6'6", 195
Wacha is good value here and is a solid college righty with above-average stuff and the ceiling of a good #3 starter at the next level. He uses his big lanky frame to throw downhill and pound the strike zone with a fastball that sits in the 92-93 range. His secondary stuff isn't going to be much more than average, but his good approach to pitching, great pitcher's frame and strong present fastball suggest success for Wacha in the future.
1st Round (23): James Ramsey, OF, Florida State University (SR), 6'0", 190, L/R
Ramsey is the senior leader of a very talented Florida State team. His game is very refined and while he doesn't have any stand-out tools, he does everything well and is lauded for his work ethic and makeup. He has good speed that he uses well on the bases and in the outfield and he played center for the Seminoles this year. At the plate, he makes consistent, solid contact and while he doesn't project huge power at the next level, 15 HR ability isn't out of the question.
Ramsey is the senior leader of a very talented Florida State team. His game is very refined and while he doesn't have any stand-out tools, he does everything well and is lauded for his work ethic and makeup. He has good speed that he uses well on the bases and in the outfield and he played center for the Seminoles this year. At the plate, he makes consistent, solid contact and while he doesn't project huge power at the next level, 15 HR ability isn't out of the question.
Supplemental Round (36): Stephen Piscotty, 3B, Stanford University (JR), 6'3", 195, R/R
Piscotty is a pure hitter who won the Cape League batting title in 2011. He's consistently squared the ball up to all fields and has some raw power potential that has yet to play in games. He's a solid average defender at third who can stick there at the next level and has some versatility as a corner outfielder as well. Most of Piscotty's tools and skills are well-documented and valuable, but his true potential hinges on the development of enough power to hold down third base.
Piscotty is a pure hitter who won the Cape League batting title in 2011. He's consistently squared the ball up to all fields and has some raw power potential that has yet to play in games. He's a solid average defender at third who can stick there at the next level and has some versatility as a corner outfielder as well. Most of Piscotty's tools and skills are well-documented and valuable, but his true potential hinges on the development of enough power to hold down third base.
Supplemental Round (52): Patrick Wisdom, 3B, St. Mary's College (JR), 6'2", 210, R/R
Wisdom epitomizes the debate of potential vs. performance. He has shown the raw power necessary to make any ballpark look small, but he hasn't made nearly enough contact to tap into that power and his results at St. Mary's have been disappointing. He can handle third base at the next level, and the Cards are gambling on the power potential here.
Supplemental Round (59): Steve Bean, C, Rockwall HS (TX), 6'2", 190, L/R
Bean was a late riser onto the scene and has shown some solid skills behind the plate. He has a nice, left-handed stroke that's more gap-to-gap at present, but projects some power. He will stick at catcher at the next level and while he may be a bit of an overdraft, there are some intriguing present skills here.
2nd Round (86): Carson Kelly, 3B, Westview HS (OR), 6'2", 200, R/R
Kelly recently signed for a $1.6mm bonus, well above-slot, so it's quite apparent that St. Louis found something they like here. He was a two-way player in high school, but will be a power-hitting third base prospect at the next level. He shows good defensive tools and a strong arm from the hot corner and the kind of raw power that will allow him to stay there if he makes enough contact.
Wisdom epitomizes the debate of potential vs. performance. He has shown the raw power necessary to make any ballpark look small, but he hasn't made nearly enough contact to tap into that power and his results at St. Mary's have been disappointing. He can handle third base at the next level, and the Cards are gambling on the power potential here.
Supplemental Round (59): Steve Bean, C, Rockwall HS (TX), 6'2", 190, L/R
Bean was a late riser onto the scene and has shown some solid skills behind the plate. He has a nice, left-handed stroke that's more gap-to-gap at present, but projects some power. He will stick at catcher at the next level and while he may be a bit of an overdraft, there are some intriguing present skills here.
2nd Round (86): Carson Kelly, 3B, Westview HS (OR), 6'2", 200, R/R
Kelly recently signed for a $1.6mm bonus, well above-slot, so it's quite apparent that St. Louis found something they like here. He was a two-way player in high school, but will be a power-hitting third base prospect at the next level. He shows good defensive tools and a strong arm from the hot corner and the kind of raw power that will allow him to stay there if he makes enough contact.
3rd Round (117): Tim Cooney, LHP, Wake Forest University (JR), 6'3", 195
Cooney is a solid college lefty who struggled a bit this year, but he shows plenty of reasons to like him. His fastball sits in the 88-91 range and he will usually command it effectively. Cooney's secondary stuff is good, especially his mid-80s cutter that he works in on righties. There's a little bit of projection left here, and Cooney should be an easy sign.
4th Round (150): Alejandro Mejia, SS, Arizona University (JR), R/R
Mejia, the Pac 12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year is a solid collegiate talent with the chance to definitely stick at shortstop at the next level. While his bat has been good at Arizona, a lot of his value comes from his defensive ability which is easily above-average and has the potential to be plus. He'll sign for under-slot value as well, which will help the Cards target Bean and Kelly.
5th Round (180): Cory Jones, RHP, College of the Canyons, 6'5"
Jones started at the JUCO level this year, but his mid-90s fastball, power breaking ball and below-average command profile more appropriately out of the bullpen. He'll be an easy sign here and is a prototypical power arm that the Cardinals are taking a flyer on here.
6th Round (210): Kurt Heyer, RHP, Arizona University (JR), 6'3", 200
7th Round (240): Kyle Barraclough, RHP, St. Mary's College (SR), 6'2", 200
8th Round (270): Yoenny Gonzalez, OF, Central Florida, 5'9", 170, S/R
9th Round (300): Rowan Wick, C, Cypress College (CA), 6'3", 220, L/R
10th Round (330): Jacob Wilson, 2B, Memphis University (SR), 6'0", 195, R/R
Notable Later Round Selections
Round 11: Trey Williams, 3B, Valencia HS (CA)
Round 12: Max Foody, LHP, The Pendleton School (FL)
Cooney is a solid college lefty who struggled a bit this year, but he shows plenty of reasons to like him. His fastball sits in the 88-91 range and he will usually command it effectively. Cooney's secondary stuff is good, especially his mid-80s cutter that he works in on righties. There's a little bit of projection left here, and Cooney should be an easy sign.
4th Round (150): Alejandro Mejia, SS, Arizona University (JR), R/R
Mejia, the Pac 12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year is a solid collegiate talent with the chance to definitely stick at shortstop at the next level. While his bat has been good at Arizona, a lot of his value comes from his defensive ability which is easily above-average and has the potential to be plus. He'll sign for under-slot value as well, which will help the Cards target Bean and Kelly.
5th Round (180): Cory Jones, RHP, College of the Canyons, 6'5"
Jones started at the JUCO level this year, but his mid-90s fastball, power breaking ball and below-average command profile more appropriately out of the bullpen. He'll be an easy sign here and is a prototypical power arm that the Cardinals are taking a flyer on here.
6th Round (210): Kurt Heyer, RHP, Arizona University (JR), 6'3", 200
7th Round (240): Kyle Barraclough, RHP, St. Mary's College (SR), 6'2", 200
8th Round (270): Yoenny Gonzalez, OF, Central Florida, 5'9", 170, S/R
9th Round (300): Rowan Wick, C, Cypress College (CA), 6'3", 220, L/R
10th Round (330): Jacob Wilson, 2B, Memphis University (SR), 6'0", 195, R/R
Notable Later Round Selections
Round 11: Trey Williams, 3B, Valencia HS (CA)
Round 12: Max Foody, LHP, The Pendleton School (FL)
Cardinals Draft Strategy: An Overview
One of the things that you can count on when going into the MLB Draft is that the Cardinals will always come out of it with some great selections. They simply have a knack for finding the right guy in the right spot. From Kolten Wong to Zack Cox and Tyrell Jenkins to Shelby Miller, the Cardinals have shown the ability in recent years to scout both high school and college players. They do not really seem to have a trend in terms of types of selections, and simply look for the best player available at the spot. They also seem to have worked within a budget in the past, signing many players in the first ten rounds for under $200,000 and others under $100,000, a pattern that should continue this year, especially if they decide that high school players are the best way to go at the top.
With 5 selections before the end of the supplemental round and $9.131 million to spend over 14 selections, the Cardinals could come out the big
winners from this year’s draft. There are sure to be some very high upside talents that fall this year due to signability and with the fourth most money to spend, the Cards could be the ones to take a chance on a couple of these guys that they believe to be worth the risk. In our mock, we had them taking three prepsters, including Corey Seager and Clate Schmidt, personal favorites of ours, and two college arms with their 5 early selections. This seems pretty plausible, given they also took 3 high schoolers and 2 college guys with their first 5 picks, in both 2010 and 2011.
Mock Draft Selections: Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State University, Corey Seager SS/3B, Northwest Cabbarus HS (NC), Pierce Johnson, RHP, Missouri State University, Clate Schmidt, RHP, Allatoona HS, Clint Coulter, C, Camas HS (WA)
With 5 selections before the end of the supplemental round and $9.131 million to spend over 14 selections, the Cardinals could come out the big
winners from this year’s draft. There are sure to be some very high upside talents that fall this year due to signability and with the fourth most money to spend, the Cards could be the ones to take a chance on a couple of these guys that they believe to be worth the risk. In our mock, we had them taking three prepsters, including Corey Seager and Clate Schmidt, personal favorites of ours, and two college arms with their 5 early selections. This seems pretty plausible, given they also took 3 high schoolers and 2 college guys with their first 5 picks, in both 2010 and 2011.
Mock Draft Selections: Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State University, Corey Seager SS/3B, Northwest Cabbarus HS (NC), Pierce Johnson, RHP, Missouri State University, Clate Schmidt, RHP, Allatoona HS, Clint Coulter, C, Camas HS (WA)
Coming Soon to the Cardinals Team Page: Top 20 Prospects List
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