In a FREE article, The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 prospect countdown for 2026 reaches no. 30 with a first baseman acquired from the Red Sox at the trade deadline but left exposed to the Rule 5 draft. Where will Blaze Jordan fit?
At no. 31 on The Cardinal Nation’s 2026 Top 50 prospect countdown is a right-hander acquired from the Mets in July. Frank Elissalt has the building blocks of a starter’s repertoire, but how much time will he receive to put it together?
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register
On Friday afternoon, December 5, the St. Louis Cardinals announced they claimed right-handed relief pitcher Zak Kent off outright waivers from the Cleveland Guardians.
Became a Cardinal Claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians on December 5, 2025.
No. 32 on The Cardinal Nation’s 2026 Top 50 countdown is a durable and effective Double-A starting pitcher who was left exposed in the Rule 5 Draft. Will Pete Hansen be able to make the changes necessary for MLB success and will it be with the Cardinals?
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register
The Cardinal Nation’s no. 33 prospect in our 2026 Top 50 countdown is a high-upside, low risk right-hander from the seventh round of the 2024 draft. Now healthy, how fast and how effectively can Andrew Dutkanych IV ramp up his workload?
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register
Brian and Kyle introduce their new podcast homes before outlining the new Competitive Balance Round A draft pick and the upcoming 2026 draft lottery. They touch on the changes to the Cardinals major league staff and a minor league promotion. Yadier Molina surfacing in winter ball and the divestiture of the large contracts of Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado are also discussed. They close with a focus on several recently unveiled Top 50 prospects, about whom they do not fully agree – Michael Watson, Andre Granillo, Josh Kross and Jack Gurevitch.
At no. 34 in The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 countdown is the Cardinals’ first-drafted pitcher in 2024. Due to injury, Brian Holiday has yet to make his professional debut. How high should the expectations be when he returns?
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register
In a FREE article, The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 prospect countdown for 2026 reaches no. 35 with an International League All-Star reliever who made his St. Louis debut in 2025. Can Andre Granillo add a second putout pitch to his plus slider to cement an MLB job?
In our simulation game tournament to identify the best St. Louis baseball team of all time, eight exceptional, but non-World Series winning clubs face off, with four advancing to the 16-team playoff.
On the various podcast apps, our popular Wednesday With Walton and Reis podcast has moved. Links to its new location on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, IHeartRadio and YouTube are provided.
Recognizing players with perhaps the brightest futures in the St. Louis Cardinals system, The Cardinal Nation is announcing our annual Cardinals Top 50 Prospect List for 2025. Our 20th annual rankings are rolling out with daily articles into the New Year.
The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 prospect countdown drops way down with a funky lefty at no. 36. Non-drafted Michael Watson increased his velocity while pitching well at three levels in 2025.
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register
The St. Louis Cardinals started their offseason trading, sending Sonny Gray to Boston. The team set their 2026 coaching staff with only small changes. Our history feature looks back at key events this past week in team annals.
Tracking winter ball results of seven St. Louis Cardinals farmhands playing in Latin America. Through seven starts in Venezuela, 23-year-old Peoria right-hander José Dávila has a 2.40 ERA.
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register
The no. 37 prospect in The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 countdown is a first baseman-catcher who led the entire system in RBI in 2025. But Josh Kross comes with many contradictions that cloud his future outlook.
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register
Coming in at no. 38 on The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 prospect countdown is the first college hitter drafted by the Cardinals in 2025. First baseman Jack Gurevitch did not demonstrate his considerable potential in his limited professional debut.
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register
The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 prospect countdown reaches no. 39 with a contact-oriented second baseman who neither walks nor strikes out often. César Prieto reached St. Louis, but how will he fit at a crowded second base?
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register
In a FREE article, The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 prospect countdown for 2026 reaches no. 40 with a first-year infielder who led the rookie DSL Cardinals in slugging and OPS. 17-year-old switch-hitter Sebastian Dos Santos could be US-bound in 2026.
The St. Louis Cardinals have set their 2026 coaching staff under manager Oliver Marmol with two major changes. Casey Chenoweth is promoted from the minor leagues and Kyle Driscoll is a new hire. Both are assistant coaches.
This week, Brian and Kyle begin with the Sonny Gray trade, and why it one day may be called the “Brandon Clarke” trade. The focus on hitting in Tuesday’s Player Development and Performance hires and promotions is noted. The recent (re)signings of Yohel Pozo, Sem Robberse and Scott Blewitt are put into context and they close with the impact of new TV deals on the timing of the draft.
Ranked 41st in The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 prospect countdown is a reliever with excellent stuff and a career-long command problem. Despite moving quickly in 2025, Randel Clemente is running short of time to reach St. Louis.
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register
On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals Player Development and Performance Department announced another round of personnel changes, with a good mix of internal promotions and external hirings, including creation of new roles.
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register
As they unload salary, the St. Louis Cardinals traded ace starting pitcher Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox for pitchers Richard Fitts and Brandon Clarke. Cash considerations are also included.
Became a Cardinal Acquired from the Boston Red Sox for Sonny Gray plus cash considerations with Richard Fitts and a player to be named later or cash joining St. Louis on November 25, 2025.
Became a Cardinal Acquired from the Boston Red Sox for Sonny Gray plus cash considerations with Brandon Clarke and a player to be named later or cash joining St. Louis on November 25, 2025.
The Cardinal Nation’s Top 50 prospect countdown reaches no. 42 with a first-year power-hitting shortstop standout in the Dominican Summer League. Miguel Hernandez seems poised to move to the US for his age 17-18 season ahead.
This content is for paid members only.
Join The Cardinal Nation today!
Register