For our September United Cardinals Bloggers project, we were asked to rank our Top 7 Cardinals prospects.
For this, I eliminated any player who had exhausted their rookie eligibility (130 at bats or 50 IP) and based my rankings on this year's performance as well as the views of scouts from various websites.
My picks are below. Be sure to check out the United Cardinals Bloggers page for links to the other lists and a composite ranking.
1. Oscar Taveras
Despite a season marred by injuries, Taveras remains the Cardinals top prospect. He hit .310/.348/.471 with 5 homers and 5 stolen bases in just 47 games on the season. He will likely head back to AAA to start next year, but should be called up by mid-season.
2. Carlos Martinez
The Cardinals top pitching prospect, who has yet to use up his rookie eligibility, Martinez got a late start to the season due to visa issues, but put up an impressive 6-3 record with a 2.49 ERA in 16 starts between AA Springfield and AAA Memphis. He also has a 2-1 record with a 5.47 ERA at the major league level. He should battle for a rotation spot next year. If he doesn't earn a spot in the rotation, he could become a late-inning guy in the bullpen.
3. Kolten Wong
Although he hasn't had much success at the major league level (.151/.196/.170 in 53 at bats), Wong looked pretty impressive at Memphis, hitting .303/.369/.466 with 10 homers and 20 stolen bases. It will be interesting to see how the Cardinals sort out the David Freese/Kolten Wong/Matt Carpenter logjam at second and third in the offseason.
4. Stephen Piscotty
The Cardinals' "other" compensation pick in 2012 for losing Albert Pujols (Michael Wacha being the first), Piscotty put up some nice numbers in his first full season in the minors. He hit .295/.355/.464 with 15 homers and 11 stolen bases and finished the year at AA Springfield. He could earn a September callup in 2014 and be in the outfield mix come 2015.
5. John Gast
One of the Cardinals less-heralded prospects, Gast was dominant at AAA Memphis to start the year. He posted an obscene 1.16 ERA in 7 starts before earning a promotion to St. Louis. He made just 3 starts with the Cards, going 2-0 with a 5.11 ERA, before a shoulder injury ended his season. Its unclear if he'll be ready for the start of the 2014 season, but he should be a factor at the major league level before the year is through.
6. Rob Kaminsky
I had a hard time choosing between Kaminsky and fellow 2013 first-rounder Marco Gonzalez for this spot, but eventually went with Kaminsky. While Gonzalez has a higher floor than Kaminsky, Kaminsky has more upside and he showed off those skills in the rookie league striking out 28 batters in just 22 innings. As a high schooler, he will likely move slowly through the Cardinals system and may not make the big leagues until 2016 (at the earliest).
7. Mike O'Neill
He may not be a "sexy" prospect, but O'Neill is one of my personal favorites. While he does not have much power (just 3 homers in 341 games) and his speed is just average, O'Neill has arguably the best "eye" in the Cardinals farm system. This year he put up an incredible 91/37 BB/K ratio while hitting .314/.424/.369 between Springfield and Memphis. His .431 OBP at Springfield was second only to Oakland A's "moneyball" prospect Anthony Aliotti (.452). He should earn at least a bench role with the Cardinals at some point in 2014.
Showing posts with label Cardinals Top Prospects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cardinals Top Prospects. Show all posts
Friday, September 27, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
Eight Cardinals make the final Composite Top Prospect List
Each year I put together a composite top prospect list by taking the top 100 prospect lists from around the web, assigning points to each ranking (100 points for 1st, 99 for 2nd, etc.), adding up the points and sorting from highest to lowest.
I find this composite prospect list helpful for my fantasy baseball preparations as well as seeing what the "experts" think of the Cardinals top prospects.
This year, 8 Cardinals made the composite prospect list, with 6 finishing in the top 100, as follows:
Oscar Taveras (3), Shelby Miller (10), Carlos Martinez (29), Trevor Rosenthal (50), Kolten Wong (66), Michael Wacha (89), Matt Adams (128) and Tyrell Jenkins (159).
You can check out this year's full composite top prospect listing at my sister site MLB Composite Prospect Index, but here is the top 10:
I find this composite prospect list helpful for my fantasy baseball preparations as well as seeing what the "experts" think of the Cardinals top prospects.
This year, 8 Cardinals made the composite prospect list, with 6 finishing in the top 100, as follows:
Oscar Taveras (3), Shelby Miller (10), Carlos Martinez (29), Trevor Rosenthal (50), Kolten Wong (66), Michael Wacha (89), Matt Adams (128) and Tyrell Jenkins (159).
You can check out this year's full composite top prospect listing at my sister site MLB Composite Prospect Index, but here is the top 10:
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| # | Pos | Player | Team | Hi | Low | Pts | |||||||||||||
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| 1 | SS | Jurickson Profar | TEX | 1 | 2 | 1299 | |||||||||||||
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| 2 | RHP | Dylan Bundy | BAL | 1 | 4 | 1281 | |||||||||||||
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| 3 | OF | Oscar Taveras | STL | 2 | 8 | 1267 | |||||||||||||
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| 4 | OF | Wil Myers | TB | 2 | 7 | 1261 | |||||||||||||
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| 5 | RHP | Gerrit Cole | PIT | 3 | 9 | 1233 | |||||||||||||
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| 6 | RHP | Taijuan Walker | SEA | 5 | 18 | 1201 | |||||||||||||
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| 7 | RHP | Zack Wheeler | NYM | 5 | 22 | 1186 | |||||||||||||
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| 8 | RHP | Jose Fernandez | MIA | 5 | 21 | 1181 | |||||||||||||
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| 9 | SS | Xander Bogaerts | BOS | 5 | 27 | 1167 | |||||||||||||
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| 10 | RHP | Shelby Miller | STL | 5 | 25 | 1139 |
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
For Cardinals Top Prospect Oscar Taveras, how soon in now?
OK, you'll have to forgive the lame Smiths reference, but many Cardinals fans, including myself, are wondering when will Oscar Taveras make it to the big leagues.
Could he pull an Albert Pujols and force his way into the Cardinals lineup this year?
If you recall, Pujols was not expected to make the roster in 2001. He only had 14 at bats above high A ball and was ticketed for Memphis (AAA) to start the season.
However, Pujols impressed the Cardinals brass so much during Spring Training that they were forced to find a spot for him. Then when Bobby Bonilla got hurt, the Cardinals used his roster spot for Pujols and the rest is history.
Fast forward to 2013 and the Cardinals could face a similar situation.
Taveras is expected to start the season at AAA, but could potentially force his way into the Cardinals plans for 2013. According to Derrick Goold, Taveras will get a good look this spring. With Carlos Beltran playing in the World Baseball Classic and Matt Holliday not expected to play everyday during the spring, Taveras will get ample at bats. How he performs could go a long way towards making his case for a roster spot.
In the spring of 2001, Pujols, primarily a third baseman at the time, was also practicing in the outfield and at first, giving him more positional flexibility. Thus, although the 2001 Cardinals had a set lineup at each position, Pujols wound up playing 55 games at third, 42 at first, 39 in left and 39 in right in his rookie year, allowing him to amass 590 at bats.
For Taveras, while he is limited to the outfield, he can play all 3 spots. Thus, while the Cardinals appear to have a set lineup, Brian Feldman suggests that the Cardinals could find at bats for Taveras by having him platoon with Beltran in right, play one game a week to spell Jay, fill in occasionally for Holliday and DH in interleague games.
The Cardinals could possibly trade one of their outfielders to make room for Taveras, but they may want to see how he performs at the major league level first before doing so, which makes Feldman's suggestion even more plausible.
Its easy to look at Taveras' minor league stats and get excited about his future with the Cardinals. Take a look at the stats for Pujols' 2000 minor league season (his only season in the minors) compared to Taveras' 2012 minor league season:
Albert Pujols
Oscar Taveras
They are eerily similar, with Taveras showing slightly more power, while Pujols' contact rate of 90.4% was slightly better than Taveras' 88.3%.
Looking at those stats, I have little doubt that Taveras will succeed in the majors. The only remaining question is: How soon?
Could he pull an Albert Pujols and force his way into the Cardinals lineup this year?
If you recall, Pujols was not expected to make the roster in 2001. He only had 14 at bats above high A ball and was ticketed for Memphis (AAA) to start the season.
However, Pujols impressed the Cardinals brass so much during Spring Training that they were forced to find a spot for him. Then when Bobby Bonilla got hurt, the Cardinals used his roster spot for Pujols and the rest is history.
Fast forward to 2013 and the Cardinals could face a similar situation.
Taveras is expected to start the season at AAA, but could potentially force his way into the Cardinals plans for 2013. According to Derrick Goold, Taveras will get a good look this spring. With Carlos Beltran playing in the World Baseball Classic and Matt Holliday not expected to play everyday during the spring, Taveras will get ample at bats. How he performs could go a long way towards making his case for a roster spot.
In the spring of 2001, Pujols, primarily a third baseman at the time, was also practicing in the outfield and at first, giving him more positional flexibility. Thus, although the 2001 Cardinals had a set lineup at each position, Pujols wound up playing 55 games at third, 42 at first, 39 in left and 39 in right in his rookie year, allowing him to amass 590 at bats.
For Taveras, while he is limited to the outfield, he can play all 3 spots. Thus, while the Cardinals appear to have a set lineup, Brian Feldman suggests that the Cardinals could find at bats for Taveras by having him platoon with Beltran in right, play one game a week to spell Jay, fill in occasionally for Holliday and DH in interleague games.
The Cardinals could possibly trade one of their outfielders to make room for Taveras, but they may want to see how he performs at the major league level first before doing so, which makes Feldman's suggestion even more plausible.
Its easy to look at Taveras' minor league stats and get excited about his future with the Cardinals. Take a look at the stats for Pujols' 2000 minor league season (his only season in the minors) compared to Taveras' 2012 minor league season:
Albert Pujols
| Year | Age | Lev | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 20 | A-A+-AAA | 490 | 74 | 154 | 41 | 7 | 19 | 96 | 46 | 47 | .314 | .378 | .543 | .920 |
| Year | Age | Lev | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 20 | AA | 477 | 83 | 153 | 37 | 7 | 23 | 94 | 42 | 56 | .321 | .380 | .572 | .953 |
Looking at those stats, I have little doubt that Taveras will succeed in the majors. The only remaining question is: How soon?
Monday, February 25, 2013
2013 Cardinals Composite Top Prospect List (Final)
Each year I like to compile a composite prospect list, taking the top prospects lists from across the web, assigning points to each ranking and then using these points to create a composite ranking. I do this each February for the top 100 prospects in baseball, which can be found at my MLB Composite Prospect Index site and I also do it for each team, including my favorite, the Cardinals.
Below is my final Cardinals Top 10 Composite Prospect listing. My preliminary list was posted on January 12th and I have since doubled the number of sites included in the list. I have also added a separate page with a link to the spreadsheet as well as links to the expert sites that I used for the composite prospect list.
2013 Cardinals Top 10 Composite Prospect List (FINAL)
1. Oscar Taveras (140 points)
| Year | Age | Lev | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 20 | AA | 477 | 83 | 153 | 37 | 7 | 23 | 94 | 10 | 42 | 56 | .321 | .380 | .572 |
| 4 Seasons | 1263 | 210 | 406 | 91 | 23 | 40 | 243 | 29 | 115 | 190 | .321 | .381 | .525 | ||
2. Shelby Miller (123 points)
| Year | Lev | W | L | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | AAA | 11 | 10 | 4.74 | 136.2 | 138 | 78 | 72 | 24 | 50 | 160 | 1.376 |
| 4 Seasons | 29 | 21 | 3.73 | 383.2 | 352 | 180 | 159 | 35 | 138 | 472 | 1.277 |
3. Carlos Martinez (106 points)
| Year | Lev | W | L | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | AA-A+ | 6 | 5 | 2.93 | 104.1 | 91 | 39 | 34 | 6 | 32 | 92 | 1.179 |
| 3 Seasons | 15 | 12 | 2.76 | 248.0 | 195 | 88 | 76 | 10 | 90 | 268 | 1.149 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2013.
Still trying to catch up with the higher ranked Miller, Martinez could make his major league debut in 2013.
4. Trevor Rosenthal (99 points)
Generated 1/12/2013.
Still trying to catch up with the higher ranked Miller, Martinez could make his major league debut in 2013.
4. Trevor Rosenthal (99 points)
| Year | Lev | W | L | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | AA-AAA | 8 | 6 | 2.97 | 109.0 | 78 | 40 | 36 | 7 | 42 | 104 | 1.101 |
| 4 Seasons | 22 | 14 | 3.53 | 285.1 | 237 | 129 | 112 | 15 | 98 | 293 | 1.174 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2013.
A bit of a sleeper prospect last year, Rosenthal is certainly on everyone's top prospect lists this year after impressing in his big league debut.
5. Michael Wacha (86 points)
Generated 1/12/2013.
A bit of a sleeper prospect last year, Rosenthal is certainly on everyone's top prospect lists this year after impressing in his big league debut.
5. Michael Wacha (86 points)
| Year | Lev | W | L | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | A+-AA-Rk | 0 | 0 | 0.86 | 21.0 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 40 | 0.571 | |
| 1 Season | 0 | 0 | 0.86 | 21.0 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 40 | 0.571 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2013.
After being drafted 19th overall this past June, Wacha spent time at three different levels in 2012, dominating at all 3.
6. Kolten Wong (71 points)
Generated 1/12/2013.
After being drafted 19th overall this past June, Wacha spent time at three different levels in 2012, dominating at all 3.
6. Kolten Wong (71 points)
| Year | Lev | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | AA | 523 | 79 | 150 | 23 | 6 | 9 | 52 | 21 | 11 | 44 | 74 | .287 | .348 | .405 | .754 |
| 2 Seasons | 717 | 118 | 215 | 38 | 8 | 14 | 77 | 30 | 16 | 65 | 98 | .300 | .363 | .434 | .797 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2013.
The Cardinals second baseman of the future had a fine season at AA and could battle for the starting job in Spring Training.
7. Tyrell Jenkins (42 points)
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2013.
Another power arm, Jenkins struggled in his first taste of full season ball, but still has plenty of time to figure things out.
8. Matt Adams (41 points)
Generated 1/12/2013.
The Cardinals second baseman of the future had a fine season at AA and could battle for the starting job in Spring Training.
7. Tyrell Jenkins (42 points)
| Year | Lev | W | L | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | A | 4 | 4 | 5.14 | 82.1 | 84 | 53 | 47 | 5 | 36 | 80 | 1.457 |
| 3 Seasons | 8 | 6 | 4.52 | 141.1 | 149 | 86 | 71 | 8 | 51 | 137 | 1.415 |
Generated 1/12/2013.
Another power arm, Jenkins struggled in his first taste of full season ball, but still has plenty of time to figure things out.
8. Matt Adams (41 points)
| Year | Lev | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | AAA | 258 | 41 | 85 | 22 | 0 | 18 | 50 | 3 | 15 | 57 | .329 | .362 | .624 | .986 |
| 4 Seasons | 1430 | 223 | 455 | 103 | 2 | 82 | 291 | 8 | 108 | 266 | .318 | .365 | .565 | .930 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2013.
Injuries ruined his chance to show his power at the major league level and now he is blocked by Allen Craig.
9. Carson Kelly (19 points)
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2013.
A second round pick in 2012, Kelly has a strong arm (he also pitched in high school), a nice line-drive stroke and power potential.
10. Stephen Piscotty (17 points)
Generated 1/12/2013.
Injuries ruined his chance to show his power at the major league level and now he is blocked by Allen Craig.
9. Carson Kelly (19 points)
| Year | Lev | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Rk | 213 | 24 | 48 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 25 | 0 | 10 | 33 | .225 | .263 | .399 | .662 |
| 1 Season | 213 | 24 | 48 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 25 | 0 | 10 | 33 | .225 | .263 | .399 | .662 |
Generated 1/12/2013.
A second round pick in 2012, Kelly has a strong arm (he also pitched in high school), a nice line-drive stroke and power potential.
10. Stephen Piscotty (17 points)
| Year | Lev | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | A | 210 | 29 | 62 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 3 | 18 | 25 | .295 | .376 | .448 | .823 |
| 1 Season | 210 | 29 | 62 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 3 | 18 | 25 | .295 | .376 | .448 | .823 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/12/2013.
Projects to hit for average, but is not expected to develop much power.
Others receiving points:
Anthony Garcia (6), Patrick Wisdom (6), Tyler Lyons (5), Steve Bean (4), Mike O'Neill (2), John Gast (1), Victor De Leon (1), Charlie Tilson (1)
Overall, there were just a couple changes from the preliminary list as Tyrell Jenkins and Matt Adams switched places, as did Carson Kelly and Stephen Piscotty. There were also a few more additions to the other players receiving points, notably Patrick Wisdom, Tyler Lyons, Steve Bean and Charlie Tilson.
Generated 1/12/2013.
Projects to hit for average, but is not expected to develop much power.
Others receiving points:
Anthony Garcia (6), Patrick Wisdom (6), Tyler Lyons (5), Steve Bean (4), Mike O'Neill (2), John Gast (1), Victor De Leon (1), Charlie Tilson (1)
Overall, there were just a couple changes from the preliminary list as Tyrell Jenkins and Matt Adams switched places, as did Carson Kelly and Stephen Piscotty. There were also a few more additions to the other players receiving points, notably Patrick Wisdom, Tyler Lyons, Steve Bean and Charlie Tilson.
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