St. Louis Cardinals 2014 Top 15 Prospects

Mar 8, 2013; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder

(10) slides in past St. Louis Cardinals third baseman

during the bottom of the sixth inning of a spring training game at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals entered 2013 with the best farm system in all of baseball, as listed by both ESPN’s Keith Law and Baseball America, and while the graduations of Michael Wacha, Shelby Miller, and Matt Adams may have depleted it some, it is still a strong organization overall. They draw talent from all sources, acquiring their top two prospects via international free agency and the rest of the top 15 through the draft. Most impressive about the St. Louis prospect ranks, however, is the potential for immediate impact; three of their most talented prospects could be starting in the majors by May of 2014.

Triple-A: Memphis Redbirds (Pacific Coast League)

Double-A: Springfield Cardinals (Texas League)

High-A: Palm Beach Cardinals (Florida State League)

Class-A: Peoria Chiefs (Midwestern League)

Short-Season A: State College Spikes (New York-Penn League)

Advanced Rookie: Johnson City Cardinals

Complex-Rookie: GCL Cardinals (Gulf Coast League), DSL Cardinals (Dominican Summer League)

#15

Patrick Wisdom – 3B

Age: 22, DOB: 08/27/1991

Bats: R, Throws: R

Height: 6′ 2″, Weight: 210

Drafted: 2012, 1st round (52nd overall)

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Analysis: Wisdom is a plus defender at third with the potential to hit 25-30 home runs in the majors, but only if he can make more consistent contact. The 22 year old struck out in 29.5% of his plate appearances last year – well above big league average – en route to his poor .235 average and .313 OBP.  He is either going to have to show more than 15 home run power on the field or strikeout less, otherwise he won’t put up the offensive numbers to be anything more than a defensive minded bench guy.

2014 Prognosis: Wisdom will start next season in High-A Palm Beach with a chance to move up to Double-A with some solid play.

#14

Randall Grichuk – OF

Age: 22, DOB: 08/13/1991

Bats: R, Throws: R

Height: 6′ 1″, Weight: 195

Acquired: Trade, Los Angeles Angels

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Analysis: Grichuk was picked up by the Cardinals as the secondary piece in the trade that brought them Peter Bourjos and sent David Freese and Fernando Salas to Los Angeles. In the 2011 draft, Grichuk was taken with the pick directly preceding Mike Trout, and while he obviously can’t match Trout’s talent, Grichuk has some ability in his own right. His primary asset is power, which he has begun to show for the first time over the last couple seasons and he is also an excellent defender in the outfield, with good range and a plus arm. The question for Grichuk will be if he can get on base at a solid rate, as he hit .256 last season and showed little plate discipline (5% walk rate)

2014 Prognosis: Grichuk will probably start next season in Triple-A, and could see major league time at some point during the year.

#13

Rob Kaminsky – LHP

Age: 19, DOB: 09/02/1994

Bats: R, Throws: L

Height: 5′ 11″, Weight: 191

Drafted: 2013, 1st round (28th overall) 

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Analysis: The Cardinals went for upside with their second first round pick of the 2013 draft, taking Kaminsky, a small high school left hander with a lot of potential but who will likely need to log a ton of innings in the minors before he is major league ready. The 19 year old works primarily off of a fastball that touches 95 and a hard breaking ball that could be a plus pitch down the road. He is developing a change up and while it has the capacity to be an above average offering, it lags far behind his other two pitches right now. The major concern for Kaminsky heading into the draft was durability, as his 5’11, 191 lb frame is not exactly what you would call a pitcher’s build. If it indeed becomes an issue, a future in the bullpen may be in order.

2014 Prognosis: Kaminsky will probably spend the entirety of next season in Class-A Peoria.

#12

Lee Stoppelman – LHP

Age: 23, DOB: 04/24/1990

Bats: L, Throws: L

Height: 6′ 2″, Weight: 210

Drafted: 2012, 24th round

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Analysis: Most minor league relievers aren’t highly regarded prospects, but Stoppelman’s incredible numbers as a professional merit him a spot on this list. Since being drafted in 2012, the 23 year old left has posted an ERA of 1.26, a K/9 of 11.0, and a WHIP of 0.957 over 100.1 innings. Although he started last season in High-A, he reached Triple-A  by the end of last season and should be in the majors by the middle of next one. He might not be a closer, but he has the ability to be a dominant set up man or at least a very good lefty specialist.

2014 Prognosis: Stoppelman will likely start next season in Triple-A, although he could be first the man on deck should an injury occur in the St. Louis bullpen.

#11

Mike O’Neill – OF

Age: 25, DOB: 02/12/1988

Bats: L, Throws: L

Height: 5′ 9″, Weight: 170

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Analysis: It’s hard to get respect as a prospect when you’re only marginally taller and heavier than Dustin Pedroia, even harder when you didn’t reach Triple-A until the age of 25 and you’ve never hit more than two home runs in a professional season. Mike O’Neill, however, is on this list because he does one thing exceptionally well: get on base. He walked in 16% of his plate appearances – well above the major league average – leading to a .424 OBP.  His to make contact is incredible, as he posted strikeout rate of just 7.8%, which was better than all but two MLB players. Turning 26 before the start of next season, O’Neill is incredibly old for a prospect, but his on base abilities could still give him a shot at success.

2014 Prognosis: The Cardinals seem to have their opening day outfield configuration set, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see O’Neill in St. Louis for an extended period of time at some point next season.

May 25, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher

(64) in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. He left the game in the second inning with an injury. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

#10

Tim Cooney – LHP

Age: 23, DOB: 12/19/1990

Bats: L, Throws: L

Height: 6′ 3″, Weight: 195

Drafted: 2012, 3rd round

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Analysis: The 23 year old Cooney won’t impress with any one pitch, but he offers everything you could ask for in a pitching prospect. Although none of tHe throws four quality pitches, highlighted by his cutter, and his control, as illustrated by his 1.3 BB/9 from last season, is excellent. He reached Double-A in his first full professional season, and could be a legitimate mid-rotation or back end starter as soon 2015.

2014 Prognosis: Having pitched to a 2.57 FIP in Double-A last season, he should move up to Triple-A for 2014.

#9

James Ramsey – OF

Age: 24, DOB: 12/19/1989

Bats: L, Throws: R

Height: 6′ 0″, Weight: 190

Drafted: 2012, 1st round (23rd overall)

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Analysis: Ramsey’s solid average speed and ability to play centerfield will get him to the big leagues, but whether he is a starter or a fourth outfielder will depend largely on his bat. Last year’s results were encouraging, as he showed on base ability and power, hitting 16 bombs and posting a .373 OBP. The strikeouts are a tad disconcerting as he does not have the type of power that can compensate for a .230-.240 batting average, but if he can repeat his 2013 numbers next year, he could be in the majors by 2015.

2014 Prognosis: Ramsey only got three at bats in Triple-A last season; he will probably need a full season of development there before he is ready to move on.

#8

Tyrell Jenkins – RHP

Age: 21, DOB: 07/20/1992

Bats: R, Throws: R

Height: 6′ 4″, Weight: 204

Drafted: 2010, 1st round (50th overall) 

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Analysis: Since being drafted out of high school in the first round of 2010, the results haven’t been impressive for the young right hander. Injuries have prevented Jenkins from ever starting more than 19 games in a season, his ERA has been over 4.50 each of the last two season, and his peripherals – 3.8 BB/9, 6.1 K/9 last year – have been mediocre. His stuff, however, offers so much promise. His fastball is a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale, consistently coming in at 95 MPH, and his power curve and changeup could both be near-plus pitches in the future. If Jenkins can just stay healthy and gain some command, he could be a number one or number two starter in the big leagues.

2014 Prognosis: Jenkins will start next season where he left off the last one, in High-A Palm Beach, although he could reach Double-A if he can finally channels his raw stuff into statistical success.

#7

Carson Kelly – 3B

Age: 19, DOB: 07/14/1994

Bats: R, Throws: R

Height: 6′ 2″, Weight: 200

Drafted: 2012, 2nd round 

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Analysis: The Cardinals gave Kelly a bonus almost three times slot value out of the second round in 2012 because of his immense power. Although he is years away from the majors, if all goes well, he could eventually have 35+ home run power. The question for him has always been contact and average, as he doesn’t project to hit much more than .275 at the big league level. Although you shouldn’t put too much stock into his poor numbers from last year – at 18, he was one of the youngest players in both the New York-Penn League and the Midwestern League – his 7% walk rate and  low 13% strikeout rate are encouraging from a teenager.

2014 Prognosis: Kelly should spend all of next season in Class-A Peoria, where he played for half of last year. His raw power should manifest itself more the second time around.

#6

John Gast – LHP

Age: 24, DOB: 02/16/1989

Bats: L, Throws: L

Height: 6′ 1″, Weight: 195

Drafted: 2010, 6th round

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Analysis: John Gast got off to a tremendous start in 2013, tearing through the PCL before receiving a promotion and winning a pair of major league starts. Then things collapsed as Gast was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder strain and ultimately was forced to undergo shoulder surgery that could keep him out until next year’s all star breaks. With three legitimate pitches and okay command, he could be a number three starter, but it remains to be seen how much the surgery will affect him.

2014 Prognosis: Gast will spend most of next season rehabbing, but could work as a lefty out of the Cardinal bullpen if he returns before next september.

Mar 6, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder

(87) hits a 2 run home run against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

#5

Marco Gonzales – LHP

Age: 21, DOB: 02/16/1992

Bats: L, Throws: L

Height: 6′ 0″, Weight: 185

Drafted: 2013, 1st round (19th overall) 

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Analysis: The Cardinals’ first pick from last year’s draft, Gonzalez could reach the big leagues quickly thanks to his three quality offerings. His fastball sits in the low 90’s with cutting and sinking actual, his changeup is a plus pitch and his greatest asset, and his curveball should be average or better. His command is not impeccable but he is not wild. He has the ceiling of a number two or three starter, although he should be able to pitch out of the back end of the bullpen or rotation at the very least.

2014 Prognosis: Gonzalez should start next season in High-A Palm Beach, but it shouldn’t take him too long to reach Double-A.

#4

Stephen Piscotty – OF

Age: 23, DOB: 01/14/1991

Bats: R, Throws: R

Height: 6′ 3″, Weight: 210

Drafted: 2012, 1st round (36th overall)

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Analysis: Coming into the season, Piscotty was a line-drive hitter who could have much greater potential if he developed some power. Then he went on to keep up his high average and decent on base percentage while also knocking out fifteen home runs. With a very low 10.7% strikeout rate, Piscotty could be able to keep up his high average, and if he can replicate his power as he moves into the upper levels, he should be an above average major league right fielder. On the other side of the ball, Piscotty should be a quality defender in right, his strong arm being his best tool.

2014 Prognosis: The Cardinals may start Piscotty in Double or Triple-A next season, but he’ll be in memphis by the summer either way.

#3

Kolten Wong – 2B

Age: 23, DOB: 10/10/1990

Bats: L, Throws: R

Height: 5′ 9″, Weight: 185

Drafted: 2011, 1st round (22nd overall) 

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Analysis: Wong has done nothing but hit since being drafted in the first round three years ago, with a career minor league average of .301 and an OPS of .811. His strong play in Memphis prompted a big league call up last season, and while he struggled, he should still break camp as the Cardinals starting second baseman. At the plate, Wong offers strong on base ability, posting a .369 OBP last season,  modest gap power and the ability to steal the occasional base. In the field, he’s a capable defender, although not a gold glove caliber one.

2014 Prognosis: Cardinals starting second baseman, rookie of the year contender.

#2

Carlos Martinez – RHP

Age: 23, DOB: 9/21/1991

Bats: L, Throws: R

Height: 6′ 0″, Weight: 185

Acquired: International Free Agent

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Analysis: With six World Series innings under his belt, Martinez doesn’t seem like a prospect anymore but he retains rookie eligibility so he makes this list. With two fastballs, one that touches 99 and one that sits in the low-90’s with incredible life, a plus curve, and an above average change up, his stuff is beyond reproach. He doesn’t exactly possess Maddux-like command, but he’s not erratic either and he could be a top of the rotation starter rather soon. Alternately, his electric stuff will let him dominate out of any bullpen.

2014 Prognosis: The Cardinals already have too many legitimate rotation candidates so Martinez will follow in the footsteps of Adam Wainwright and Trevor Rosenthal, and spend a year in the bullpen before advancing to a starting role.

#1

Oscar Taveras – OF

Age: 21, DOB: 06/19/1992

Bats: L, Throws: L

Height: 6′ 2″, Weight: 200

Signed: Nov. 16, 2008 – STL

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Analysis: Taveras is not just the best prospect in the Cardinals organization, he is one of the best prospects in baseball, ranking second overall according to MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo. He is a natural hitter at the plate, getting on base at a high rate and hitting for plus average and power. In Albert Pujols mold, he does all this while not striking out, with a career 13% strikeout rate in the minors that will go a long way towards keeping his average up at the big league level. In the field, he profiles best in right, where he could win a gold glove, although the Cardinals have not given up hope on a possible future in center field.  Taveras missed a lot of time with an ankle injury last season, finally undergoing surgery in August, but he should be healthy and ready to go by spring training.

2014 Prognosis: In order to gain an extra year of control, the Cardinals will probably keep Taveras in Triple-A until May, but then he should be starting every day in St. Louis and competing with teammate Kolten Wong for the NL Rookie of the Year award.