photo: Trevor Condon (Lake Point Sports)
On Saturday afternoon July 11th, the St. Louis Cardinals named their first seven selections during Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft, encompassing the first four rounds.
The first four rounds of the 20-round 2026 Major League Baseball Draft were held on Saturday afternoon, July 11 in Philadelphia. For the sixth (and perhaps final) year, the draft is 20 rounds and held a month later than traditionally, now as part of MLB’s All-Star Weekend.
Starting Sunday morning July 12th, rounds 5-20 will complete the annual exercise.
The St. Louis Cardinals did not fare well in the draft lottery, with their initial pick 13th overall in the first round. For the rest of the draft, the Cardinals will select eighth based on inverse 2025 won/loss record (though that can change in early rounds due to pick forfeitures by other teams).
The Cardinals gained three additional Day 1 selections, increasing their total to an MLB-high of seven. The first bonus pick is in Competitive Balance Round A, 32nd overall, and is based on market size and revenue.
The other two extra picks were acquired in trade, at 68th and 72nd overall, residing between the second and third rounds. These Competitive Balance Round B selections were awarded to the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays and came to St. Louis in the Brendan Donovan trade.
The Cardinals have been assigned a pool total of $16,612,300 to cover the signing bonuses for their 13 players selected in the first 10 rounds plus any bonuses greater than $150,000 for draftees selected in rounds 11-20. St. Louis’ pool total is fifth largest in MLB.
The Cardinals organization’s 16 picks in the third through 20th rounds will be made on Sunday, starting at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time.
To reference the Cardinals’ new draft class on an ongoing basis here at The Cardinal Nation, each player will have a profile located on a holding team called “DRAFT UNSIGNED PLAYERS”. This can be accessed at the bottom of the drop-down menu in the red column in the left menu called “ROSTERS/PLAYERS/MOVES” or click here.
St. Louis’ selections – 2026 draft day 1
First round, 13th overall – Trevor Condon, OF
Etowah High School, Georgia
5’11, 175 pounds
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Hometown: Etowah, GA
Condon, 18, was a University of Tennessee commit from Georgia, where he was a two-time state champion. Not big in size, the outfielder draws positive comparisons to Cubs all-star Pete Crow-Armstrong due his high motor and multiple tools.
The left-handed hitter’s bat-to-ball skills are lauded as is his ability to get the barrel of his bat on high-end offerings. Power may be his last skill to fully develop.
Condon has elite, plus-plus speed and provides plus a strong arm and standout defense in center field.
Pre-draft, Condon was the 16th-ranked eligible prospect according to Baseball America. MLB Pipeline had him 13th.
The pool amount for this pick is $5,661,300. While a solid choice, this could be a money-saving selection to redeploy on later selections.
Following Ryan Mitchell, taken 55th overall in 2025, Condon is the second prep outfielder selected by the organization early in the draft in the last two years.
Update: Condon points from Cardinals Media Relations
- Is the first high school player selected by the Cardinals in the first round of the MLB Draft since 3B Jordan Walker was taken 21st overall in 2020, and the first high school outfielder selected since Dylan Carlson (33rd overall) in 2016.
- Was the 2025-26 Georgia Baseball Gatorade Player of the Year after batting .504 with 9 HR, 42 RBI, 17 doubles and 15 stolen bases through his first 36 games.
- Won two state championships with Etowah (Ga.) High School (2024 & 2026).
- Named to the 2026 Perfect Game High School All-Region Team for Georgia and was rated as the Best Hitter for Average among Georgia players. Batted .423 with 21 walks in 22 Perfect Game contests in 2025.
- Named Baseball America Preseason First Team All-American and American Baseball Coaches Association All-American in 2026.
- Has trained with a track coach, Chris Vernon, since around 12 years old.
- Committed to play collegiately at the University of Tennessee last November.
- His sister, Brionna, is a former softball player at South Carolina and Georgia Tech.
- Signing scout was Brian Moehler.
Competitive Balance Round A, 32nd overall – Tegan Kuhns, P
University of Tennessee
6’3, 193 pounds
Bats: Both
Throws: Right
Hometown: Gettysburg, PA
Kuhns, a draft-eligible sophomore, was highly sought after in the 2024 Draft, but reportedly turned down seven-figure inquiries to attend Tennessee.
After a mixed freshman year in 2025, the now-21-year-old broke out in the wood bat Cape Cod League showcase, posting an ERA of 1.35 and striking out over 13 batters per nine innings. Kuhns continued to improve this spring at UT with a 3.56 ERA in 81 innings over 14 starts, with a 31% strikeout rate and 4.7% walk rate.
Kuhns’ fastball is 93-96 mph and tops out at 98-99, but can be hittable if not elevated. He also has a plus curveball but still needs a reliable third offering. Changeup and slider are contenders.
Both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline ranked Kuhns as the no. 25 prospect in this draft class, so his selection at no. 32 overall does not seem unreasonable.
The pool amount for this pick is $3,044,600.
Update: Kuhns points from Cardinals Media Relations
- Made 15 appearances and 14 starts in 2026, posting a 5-5 record with a 3.56 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, one complete game shutout and 106 strikeouts in 81.0 innings pitched.
- Earned All-SEC Second Team honors after setting career-highs in wins (5), innings pitched (81.0), and strikeouts (106) during his sophomore season in 2026.
- Finished the 2026 season ranked 8th in the SEC in ERA (3.56), 3rd in strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.62) and T-2nd in walks per nine innings (1.78).
- Named to 2026 All-SEC Second Team and Baseball America 2026 Preseason All-American Second Team.
- 2026 two-time SEC Pitcher of the Week honoree.
- Represented the United States in the 2023 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan, and pitched in the All-American Game in 2023 during All-Star Week at T-Mobile Park Seattle.
- Attended Gettysburg (Pa.) Area High School, the same school as Ron Kump, who spent time in the St. Louis minor league system from 1950-54.
- Joins fellow Cardinals farmhands and former teammates LHP Liam Doyle (5th overall, 2025) & RHP Tanner Franklin (72nd overall, 2025) as recent draftees out of the University of Tennessee.
- Son of Mike and Melissa Kuhns; has two brothers, Lane and Carson, and two sisters, Elly and Easton.
- Signing scout is TC Calhoun.
Second round, 50th overall – Rocco Maniscalco – SS
Oxford High School, Alabama
6’2, 192 pounds
Bats: Both
Throws: Right
Hometown: Oxford, AL
Maniscalco, a Mississippi State commit, reclassified late to enter the 2026 Draft. The Alabama native does not turn 18 years of age until next May.
The Prep All-American shortstop has elite arm strength, hitting 97 mph at the recent MLB Draft Combine, where he was a standout. Maniscalco dropped on draft boards after a rough start to his senior season with the bat but improved as the spring progressed.
Baseball America and MLB Pipeline have a major disagreement about Maniscalco. Pipeline ranked him 49th in this draft class, but BA placed him at no. 100.
The pool amount for this pick is $1,982,700.
Update: Maniscalco points from Cardinals Media Relations
- Batted .330 with 17 extra-base hits, 39 RBI, 41 walks, and 45 stolen bases in 39 games played this season at Oxford HS.
- Reclassified as a high school senior for the 2025-26 season and is the youngest draft-eligible player this year at 17.2 years old.
- Touched 97 mph on a throw from shortstop at the 2026 MLB Draft Combine and hit 21 balls 100 mph or harder.
- Named First Team All-State in Alabama in 2026 by the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA).
- Played for Team USA 15U in 2024 as the squad’s third baseman; batted .375 with nine RBI, a home run and two stolen bases.
- Is the fourth Oxford (Ala.) High School player drafted all-time, including RHP Jackson Stephens, a 2012 Reds selection who played in five MLB seasons from 2017-24.
- Father, Matt Maniscalco, was a shortstop in the Tampa Bay system from 2003-07 and ran Rocco’s travel ball program.
- Committed to play collegiately at Mississippi State University in February.
- Signing scout was Keanan Lamb.
Competitive Balance Round B, 68th overall – Andrew Williamson – OF
University of Central Florida
6’0, 195 pounds
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL
The three-year outfield starter at UCF had a breakout 2025, hitting .315 with 13 home runs. Williamson followed up with a line of .322/.442/.645/1.087 with 16 home runs and 48 RBI in 2026.
The left-handed hitter also has a positive track record with the wood bat, with good bat speed and some pop to right field, though there are questions about his ability to handle elite breaking stuff.
Williamson possesses an above average arm and can play center field if needed, but likely profiles in the corner.
BA and MLB Pipeline have similar views of Williamson’s draft standing, with BA ranking him 48th, while Pipeline placed him 52nd among eligible players.
The pool amount for this pick is $1,285,500.
Update: Williamson points from Cardinals Media Relations
- Batted .322/.442/.645 with a team-high 16 HR and 58 runs scored to go with 48 RBI in 55 games during his junior season at Central Florida in 2026.
- Earned 2026 Second Team All-Big 12 honors and named to the Auburn Regional All-Tournament Team.
- Ranks 8th in Central Florida program history with 34 career home runs.
- Named the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Summer League Most Outstanding Hitter and championship series Most Outstanding Player in the summer of 2024.
- Son of Van Williamson and Trisha Rodriguez; has three siblings. Grandfather, Johnny Rodriguez, previously managed in the Cardinals minor league system from 2010-18.
- Uncle Sean Rodríguez played Major League Baseball for 15 seasons (2008-2020) for the Angels, Rays, Pirates, Braves, Phillies and Marlins.
- Plays the drums.
- Celebrating his 21st birthday today.
- Signing scout was Josh Lopez.
Competitive Balance Round B, 72nd overall – Dawson Montesa – P
University of West Virginia
6’1, 185 pounds
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Hometown: Glendale, NY
Montesa pitched two seasons at Division II Adelphi, and set the school’s single season record in strikeouts with 105 in 72 1/3 innings.
In 2026 in the Big 12, Montesa posted a 5.38 ERA in 19 appearances including 15 starts. He fanned 92 in 77 innings but walked 44 and yielded 13 home runs.
The right-hander features a fastball at 94-95, topping out at 98 with a curveball in the upper 70’s.
Montesa is young for his class at just age 20 and is considered to be athletic for his position.
MLB Pipeline and Baseball America both had Montesa far outside their Top 100, with Pipeline ranking him 161st and BA at 138th in the draft class. So, this is a money-saving pick for the Cardinals.
The pool amount for this pick is $1,174,300.
Update: Montesa points from Cardinals Media Relations
- Went 6-5 with a 5.38 ERA in 19 appearances (15 starts) for the West Virginia Mountaineers in 2026 after transferring from Division II Adelphi University in Long Island, N.Y.
- Is the first Cardinals selection from West Virginia University since JJ Wetherholt was selected 7th overall in 2024.
- Set the Adelphi University single-season strikeout record in 2025 with 105 strikeouts in 72.1 innings while going 8-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 12 outings (11 starts).
- Named Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-American First Team and the American Baseball Coaches Association East Region Pitcher of the Year in 2025 at Adelphi.
- Son of David Testerman and Ruth Montesa; has two brothers, Dylan and Daniel, and has one sister, Debbie.
- Signing scout was Jim Negrych.
Third round, 86th overall – Caden Ferraro, 1B
Texas Tech University
6’0, 215 pounds
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Hometown: Pacific Palisades, CA
For the second consecutive draft, the Cardinals selected a college first baseman in the third round, following Jack Gurevitch in 2025. Ferraro was primarily an outfielder at Texas Tech, though the Cardinals announced him as a first sacker.
The left-handed hitter was a national champion as a junior college player at Blinn College before joining the Red Raiders.
With ability to make consistent contact, Ferraro slashed .374/.481/.604/1.085 OPS with eight home runs and 46 RBI for Texas Tech in 2026.
Per BA, Ferraro came in as the no. 112 player in this draft, while MLB Pipeline had him at no. 143, some distance from the 86th overall pick.
The pool amount for this selection is $943,600.
Update: Ferraro points from Cardinals Media Relations
- Hit .374 with 19 doubles, 8 HR and 46 RBI in 52 games during his junior season at Texas Tech in 2026.
- Named Second Team All-Big 12 in 2026 at designated hitter.
- Reached base in 13-straight trips to the plate from March 6-8 to tie the Big 12 conference record for most consecutive trips to the plate reaching base.
- Posted the 16th-highest average exit velocity (102.3 mph) at the 2026 MLB Draft Combine.
- Led Blinn (Texas) College to back-to-back NJCAA College World Series Appearances and the 2024 championship.
- Son of Dana and Andrew Ferraro; has two siblings, Ellie and Brady.
- Signing scout was Pete Parise.
Fourth round, 114th overall – Dee Kennedy – SS
Kansas State University
5’11, 190 pounds
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Kennedy began his college career with a year at Texas before spending the last two seasons at Kansas State. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline called him the “most improved college player in 2026”, with his dramatic junior year uptick due in part to improved vision following LASIK surgery.
The shortstop was a Cape Cod League All-Star before setting K-State’s single-season home run record with 20 in 2026 and an OPS of 1.194. Plate discipline could improve a bit against off-speed offerings.
Kennedy has solid speed (22-of-26 in steals in 2026) and some arm strength, though some scouts project him as a second baseman eventually. He also has experience at third base.
Taking BA and MLB Pipeline as a reference, Kennedy should have been taken sooner than 114th. He was 79th per Pipeline and 93rd according to BA in this draft class.
The pool amount for this selection is $684,300.
IT'S GRAND SALAMI TIME AGAIN@kennedee27 hits his 2nd homerun of the day and 2nd grand slam of the weekend pic.twitter.com/6sCsNIHYXQ
— K-State Baseball (@KStateBSB) February 15, 2026
Update: Kennedy points from Cardinals Media Relations
- Batted .357/.461/.733 with 20 HR, 17 doubles, 69 RBI, 22 SB and a 1.194 OPS across 57 games in 2026 for the Kansas State Wildcats.
- Set the Kansas State single-season HR record with 20 homers and became the fifth player in Big 12 Conference history to record 20+ home runs and 20+ stolen bases in the same season.
- Named a 2026 Golden Spikes Award (best college player) and Brooks Wallace Award (best college shortstop) Semifinalist.
- Played 30 games with 18 RBI and 12 runs scored for Harwich in the 2026 Cape Cod League.
- Swiped a team-high 12 bases during the 2025 season as a sophomore at Kansas State.
- Underwent LASIK eye surgery after his sophomore season in 2025.
- Transferred from the University of Texas after his freshman season in 2024.
- Played two seasons as a running back at Prestonwood Christian High School (Texas).
- Signing scout was Dirk Kinney.
What is next?
Check back at The Cardinal Nation for the remainder of Saturday’s selections and return on Sunday for details of Day 2 of the 2026 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
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