All posts by Brian Walton

Brian Walton runs The Cardinal Nation, covering the St. Louis Cardinals and minor league system.

Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp – March 23, 2026

In Monday’s Day 23 of St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp, the Nationals were the opponent. Josh Kross went deep again (his third in three games) and major leaguers Ivan Herrera and Ramon Urias had four plate appearances each. Jurrangelo Cijntje fanned six in five one-run innings.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp – March 21, 2026

In Saturday’s Day 21 of St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp, the Marlins were the opponent. Josh Kross had three hits, including a home run (his second in two days), drove in three and made two solid defensive plays at first. Richard Fitts allowed one run in five innings. Tink Hence threw two scoreless relief frames.

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St. Louis Cardinals Option Reliever Gordon Graceffo to Minors

photo: Gordon Graceffo (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

St. Louis Cardinals release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Saturday, March 21) that the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 34 players with right-handed pitcher Gordon Graceffo being optioned to Memphis (AAA).

Gordon Graceffo

Graceffo, 26, worked 3.0 scoreless innings pitched over his three appearances in Grapefruit League play this spring.  He was also a member of Team Italy that advanced to the quarterfinals of this year’s World Baseball Classic.

The Cardinals currently have 27 major league roster players and seven non-roster invitees in Major League camp.

Brian Walton’s take

This sets St. Louis’ eight-man season-opening bullpen, led by JoJo Romero. Other relievers are Riley O’Brien, Matt Svanson, Matt Pushard, Ryne Stanek, George Soriano, Chris Roycroft and Justin Bruihl.


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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp – March 20, 2026


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Cardinals Edge Nationals in 2026 Spring Breakout Game

photo: Joshua Baez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

St. Louis Cardinals prospects defeated their Washington Nationals counterparts by a 9-8 score on Thursday at Roger Dean Stadium. Brian Walton covers the win in words and photos. Among stars were JJ Wetherholt and Joshua Baez.

St. Louis Cardinals Prospects 9, Washington Nationals Prospects 8

(You can read an out-by-out summary and the detailed box score at MLB.com here.)

Here is the Cardinals lineup.

Spring Breakout lineup (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Cardinals’ pitching plan for Thursday’s Spring Breakout Game was for the trio of Liam Doyle, Tanner Franklin and Yhoiker Fajardo to throw three innings each. It didn’t happen, but the Cards won anyway.

Here the starters are standing on the first base line. To the left are manager Jason Isringhausen and guest coaches Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina. The latter received the loudest ovation during the day.

Jason Isringhausen, Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina, Spring Breakout starters (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Accompanied by catcher Rainiel Rodriguez, farm director Larry Day and pitching coach Michael Oh. Doyle walked from the bullpen to the dugout to get started.

Rainiel Rodriguez, Larry Day, Michael Oh, Liam Doyle (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Doyle and Joshua Baez.

Liam Doyle, Joshua Baez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

That 3-3-3 inning plan quickly went out the window when Doyle struggled with his fastball command, twice reaching his per inning pitch count while giving up four runs in the initial two frames. That is right; Doyle returned for the second and left early in both the first and second, totaling just three outs.

Liam Doyle (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Doyle had help, as after inheriting a bases loaded jam in the second inning, reliever Tyler Bradt served up a double that brought in the final three of Doyle’s runners.

Tyler Bradt (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The system’s top prospect pitcher Doyle reached 97 mph in the first inning and 98 in the next frame but seemed to have trouble locating his heater for strikes. He walked four and allowed two hits.

Michael Watson showed a 93-mph fastball in a 1-2-3 fourth inning.

Michael Watson (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Also in the fourth, ceremonial coaching additions Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright made their way to the bullpen, where their final exit would not be noticed.

Yadier Molina (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Down 4-0, the Cardinals chipped away with a single run in the home second and two runs in the fifth. That closed the gap to one run. Their first score came home on a wild throw by the Nats’ second baseman. In the fifth, Joshua Baez blasted a baseball over the left-field fence for two more.

Joshua Baez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Joshua Baez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

After two scoreless innings on the mound, Tanner Franklin got into trouble with two out in the sixth. A walk on a 98-mph fastball was followed by two singles. The latter scored a run that increased the Nats’ lead to 5-3.

Tanner Franklin (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Cardinals seemed to put away the game in the home sixth with five runs. 2025 draftee Ryan Mitchell opened the scoring with a home run smoked to right after swinging and missing for two strikes.

Ryan Mitchell (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

With the bases loaded, pinch-hitter Josh Kross hit a ball off the pitcher that veered to the second baseman. Kross reached first as Tai Peete (single) scored. Another run was forced in when Rainiel Rodriguez was hit by a pitch. With two outs, Joshua Baez singled through short, scoring run no. 5 in the sixth.

Rainiel Rodriguez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Cardinals were set up for another big inning in the eighth, loading the bases with no out. While Deniel Ortiz hit into a 4-6-3 double play, Ryan Campos (HBP) came home. The Cardinals were up 9-5 with three outs to go.

In his third inning of work, the ninth, Fajardo got into trouble. It began with a walk on a 95-mph fastball (He topped at 96). A single and hit by pitch loaded the bases. Third baseman Ortiz made a nice throw on a 5-3 forceout as the runner from third crossed the plate. With two out, a single past third base plated two as the Cardinals’ lead was cut to 9-8.

Yhoiker Fajardo (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

With the potential tying run on first base, Fajardo secured the final out on a 1-3 play. Cards 9, Nats 8.

Breakout game celebration (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Summary

Doyle was charged with four runs, Franklin one and Fajardo three. They each struck out three.

Wearing no. 7, JJ Wetherholt was on base three times with two singles and a walk. He scored twice. Jesus Baez also hit two singles, walked and scored.

Joshua Baez cracked a home run, drove in two and scored twice after being hit twice by pitches. Mitchell launched a solo shot.

What is next

On Friday, March 20, Memphis and Springfield head to Port St. Lucie while Peoria and Palm Beach remain home to face the Mets’ Class A teams.

Related articles

2026 Cardinals Minor League Spring Game Schedules

Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Roster Insights


Now available – 2026 Cardinals Prospect Guide

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp – March 18, 2026


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Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian and The Cardinal Nation on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

© 2026 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp – March 18, 2026

Wednesday’s Day 19 of St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp was originally to be two-home and two-away games with the Astros. Questionable weather changed the day’s plan to intrasquad contests. Noah Mendlinger singled and homered. Brycen Mautz fanned four in five scoreless innings.

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Cardinals Option Starter Richard Fitts to the Minors

photo: Richard Fitts (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals set their season-opening rotation by optioning Richard Fitts to Triple-A Memphis.

St. Louis Cardinals release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Wednesday, March 18) that the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 35 players with right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts being optioned to Memphis (AAA).

Richard Fitts

Fitts, 26, made three starts in Grapefruit League play this spring, posting a 2-1 mark while striking out nine over his 9.1 innings of work.

The Cardinals currently have 28 major league roster players and seven non-roster invitees in Major League camp.

Brian Walton’s take

This sets St. Louis’ starting rotation, led by Matthew Liberatore and Dustin May. Others are Michael McGreevy, Andre Pallante and Kyle Leahy.


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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp – March 17, 2026


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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp – March 17, 2026

Tuesday’s Day 18 of St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp featured Memphis and Springfield traveling to West Palm and Peoria and Palm Beach remaining home. The Nationals were the common opponent. Over from MLB camp, Michael McGreevy struck out seven in 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Won-Bin Cho and Cade McGee went deep.

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Cardinals Send Out Seven, Including Ryan Fernandez

photo: Ryan Fernandez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

On Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals reduced their Spring Training roster to 36 players, with seven players moving to minor league camp ahead of Monday’s day off.

St. Louis Cardinals release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Sunday, March 15) that the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 36 players, with seven players moving to minor league camp.

The team optioned pitcher Ryan Fernandez to the Memphis (AAA) roster and re-assigned non-roster pitchers Luis Gastelum, Gerson Moreno and Packy Naughton, infielders Blaze Jordan and Jeremy Rivas and outfielder Matt Koperniak to minor league camp.

The Cardinals currently have 29 major league roster players and seven non-roster invitees in Major League camp.

Brian Walton’s take

For me, the most noteworthy move is Naughton, which says Justin Bruihl will be the second pen lefty (if the Cardinals open with two). Though Packy pitched better this spring, Bruihl has no minor league options.

Packy Naughton

Speaking of which, as an established major leaguer, Fernandez had to pitch his way off the roster, and he did. The right-handed reliever’s 40-man roster spot could be in jeopardy in the upcoming days.

Ryan Fernandez

All seven players are likely to be a part of the Opening Day roster of the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.


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How Six Top 86 Draft Picks are Different for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2026


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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp – March 12, 2026

Thursday’s Day 14 of St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp was a reverse of Tuesday, with Memphis and Springfield at home and Peoria traveling to face the Mets. Quinn Mathews threw four no-hit innings with six strikeouts and one walk, but Brycen Mautz struggled. Joshua Baez went deep.

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Cards Agree to Terms with 29 Pre-Arb Players, but Winn Makes a Point

photo: Masyn Winn (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The St. Louis Cardinals came to terms with 29 of 30 eligible pre-arbitration players on a one-year deal. However, Masyn Winn did not initially agree, so the club executed its right to renew his contract. Brian Walton explains what it means now and what it might in future years.



St. Louis Cardinals release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Wednesday, March 11) that they have signed 29 of their pre-arbitration service time players to contracts for the 2026 season and that shortstop Masyn Winn has opted to have his contract renewed.  The team now has all players on its 40-player Major League roster under contract for the 2026 season.

Today’s announced signings include the following players: OF Joshua Báez, C Leo Bernal, LHP Justin Bruihl, OF Nathan Church, C Jimmy Crooks, RHP Hunter Dobbins, INF José Fermin, RHP Ryan Fernandez, RHP Richard Fitts, RHP Gordon Graceffo, RHP Tink Hence, C Iván Herrera, LHP Cooper Hjerpe, RHP Kyle Leahy, LHP Brycen Mautz, RHP Michael McGreevy, RHP Riley O’Brien, C Pedro Pagés, INF César Prieto, RHP Matt Pushard, LHP Nick Raquet, RHP Tekoah Roby, RHP Chris Roycroft, INF Thomas Saggese, OF Victor Scott II, RHP George Soriano, RHP Matt Svanson, OF Bryan Torres and OF Jordan Walker.

Brian Walton’s take

This is the annual spring one-year contract announcement for the 40-man roster players not yet eligible for arbitration. It is usually a rubber-stamp process, but not always for everyone.

These pre-arbitration players essentially have no choice but to take the salary as offered – if they want to play in 2026. The 30 named above represent exactly three-quarters of the very, very inexperienced Cardinals 40-man roster. Twenty-nine of them accepted what the team is willing to pay them.

Masyn Winn

In case you do not understand why Winn is listed separately above, it is because the star shortstop did not initially agree to accept the amount the team offered him. However, since Winn is not yet arbitration-eligible, he must take the Cardinals’ salary as proposed. As a result, it would not be a stretch to assume that arguably the team’s most important emerging player is not happy about it.

Looking ahead, it would not surprise me for Winn to take the Cardinals to an arbitration hearing in his first of three years eligible, starting in 2027 – perhaps unless the club decides to make him an acceptable long-term offer before then. However, the current labor unrest across MLB coupled with the team’s declining financial position would seemingly decrease the odds of a multi-year extension offer.

Also note that in recent years, other former Cardinals including Tommy Pham, Jack Flaherty and Jordan Hicks were also renewed by the team at least once as a pre-arb player. Another common thread is that they were all traded away prior to reaching free agency.

All minimum salary amounts are defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between players and owners, which is now entering its final year of five. The minimum major league salary this season is $780,000, up from $760,000 in 2025.

Under new President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom, the Cardinals may or may not have a slight increase scale for accomplished pre-arb players above the minimum salary. But even if they do, it clearly wasn’t enough to satisfy Winn.

In addition to his message to the Cardinals, Winn is perhaps also making a point for the Players’ Union that salaries for young standouts should increase in the next CBA. The new agreement is hoped to go into effect in 2027 after what may be a long and contentious negotiation process during the 2026 season and off-season.


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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp – March 10, 2026


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Cardinals Reassign Three Players to Minor League Camp

photo: Max Rajcic (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

On Tuesday, the St. Louis Cardinals sent three non-roster invitees to Minor League Camp, their third set of moves in the last four days and fourth overall.

St. Louis Cardinals release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Tuesday, March 10) that the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 43 players, with three players being re-assigned to minor league camp.

Those being re-assigned today were pitchers Max Rajcic and Bruce Zimmermann and outfielder Chase Davis.

The Cardinals currently have 30 major league roster players and 13 non-roster invitees in Major League camp.

Brian Walton’s take

This is St. Louis’ second set of cuts in the last two days and third since Saturday.

All three of Tuesday’s players were non-roster invitees to big-league camp. Davis is The Cardinal Nation’s 26th-ranked prospect and Rajcic is 44th. Rajcic and Zimmermann have significant Triple-A experience but Davis has yet to debut at the minors’ highest level.

St. Louis still has 17 more roster reductions to make before the regular season begins. The Cardinals will depart Jupiter on Sunday, March 22nd.

As noted, big-league camp is down to 43 players as minor league camp grows to 168.


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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp – March 9, 2026


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Cardinals Send Five to Minors in Third Spring Cuts

photo: Chaim Bloom and Joshua Baez (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

Two days after their most recent spring cuts, the St. Louis Cardinals have reduced their roster to 46 players, with five players moving to minor league camp on Monday. Four of them are Top 20 prospects.



St. Louis Cardinals release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Monday, March 9) that the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 46 players, with five players moving to minor league camp.

The team optioned pitchers Cooper Hjerpe, Brycen Mautz and Nick Raquet, and outfielder Joshua Baez to the Memphis (AAA) roster and re-assigned non-roster pitcher Quinn Mathews to minor league camp.

The Cardinals currently have 30 major league roster players and 16 non-roster invitees in Major League camp.

Brian Walton’s take

This group of cuts came just two days after the second round of spring roster reductions and is timed to follow the Cardinals’ split squad day on Monday.

All except Raquet are ranked prospects in The Cardinal Nation’s Top 20 for 2026. Mathews is fourth, Baez is eighth, Hjerpe (who is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery) is ninth and Mautz is 18th.

Joshua Baez

From this group, the most spring buzz was about Baez. The outfielder is coming off a turnaround season in which he was a Texas League All-Star. The Cardinals have a short-term need in the outfield corners and some fans are tempted to rush Baez to the majors with no Triple-A experience.

Baez is standing out this spring, including a two-run home run on Monday and a .333 Grapefruit League batting average.

But the Cardinals skipped Triple-A with Jordan Walker and essentially the same with Victor Scott. That lack of exposure to the highest level of the minors undoubtedly contributed to their struggles at the plate in the majors.

Baez’ time will come, but only after some seasoning and success with Memphis.

Mautz, the organization’s 2025 Pitcher of the Year, will almost certainly debut in the Memphis rotation, joining Mathews, who wants to position himself to be the next call up when St. Louis needs another starter.

Raquet will take a seat on the I-55 Shuttle between Memphis and St. Louis for another year.

While 20 more players must be shaved off the 46 in camp in the next two weeks, Minor League Camp has grown to 165 players.


Now available – 2026 Cardinals Prospect Guide

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How Six Top 86 Draft Picks are Different for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2026


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Cardinals Cut Six in Second Spring Roster Trim

photo: Jimmy Crooks, Quinn Mathews, Eric Peterson (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

On Saturday, five 40-man players and one non-roster invitee were shifted to St. Louis Cardinals minor league spring training camp. They include three top 10 prospects.



St. Louis Cardinals release

The St. Louis Cardinals announced the team has reduced its Spring Training roster to 51 players today (Saturday, March 7), with six players moving to minor league camp.

The team optioned pitcher Tink Hence, infielder César Prieto, infielder/outfielder Bryan Torres, and catchers Leo Bernal and Jimmy Crooks to the Memphis (AAA) roster and re-assigned non-roster pitcher Skylar Hales to minor league camp.

The Cardinals currently have 34 major league roster players and 17 non-roster invitees in Major League camp.

Brian Walton’s take

Hence (The Cardinal Nation no. 10), Prieto (no. 39), Bernal (no. 5) and Crooks (no. 8) are ranked prospects, with perhaps Crooks the most surprising cut this soon in camp. He is the most experienced of the group, with 15 MLB games logged late last season.

However, it has been clear in spring camp that the big three catchers – Pedro Pages, Ivan Herrera and Yohel Pozo – were considered above the others.

A possible complication to watch is that Herrera was scratched from Saturday’s game with knee inflammation.

Also worth noting is that the chance of Torres fighting his way onto the Opening Day 26-man roster was hurt by his decision to leave the Cardinals to play in the World Baseball Classic for Yadier Molina and Puerto Rico.

Bernal is also currently away for the WBC (Panama).

As noted, big-league camp is down to 51 players as minor league camp grows to 160.


Now available – 2026 Cardinals Prospect Guide

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All paid members can purchase our Prospect Guide PDF at 50% off. Thank you for your support of The Cardinal Nation!

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How Six Top 86 Draft Picks are Different for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2026


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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp – March 5, 2026

Thursday was Day 8 of St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Camp and the final day before games against external competition. Ten minor leaguers traveled across the state with the Cardinals and at home, 13 pitchers threw pens and live pens. Major Leaguer Riley O’Brien also had a live session.

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Cardinals 2026 Preliminary Spring Breakout Roster

32 members of The Cardinal Nation’s 2026 Top 50 Prospect List are on the preliminary 40-man roster for the St. Louis Cardinals’ March 19 Spring Breakout Game.



On Thursday, preliminary team rosters for this month’s Spring Breakout Games were announced. That includes the St. Louis Cardinals, of course.

The roster selection process is as follows. Preliminary 40-man player pools begin with each team’s Top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline, minus any injured players, players on the Dominican Summer League roster and players on the 40-man roster who elect not to participate. The pools also include 10 or more additional unranked prospects submitted by the organization to replace the above ranked prospects not participating.

The group encompasses almost all the top names you would expect, including 32 members of The Cardinal Nation’s 2026 Cardinals Top 50. Headliners are no. 1 prospect JJ Wetherholt and 2025 top draft pick, left-hander Liam Doyle (2), throwing to 2025 breakout catcher Rainiel Rodriguez (3).

The only exceptions from TCNs top 20 are two players with limited MLB experience, catcher Jimmy Crooks (7) and outfielder Nathan Church (20) plus two pitchers out for an extended period, Cooper Hjerpe (9) and Tekoah Roby (11).

Further narrowing down of the 40-man list will occur before the final 27 are set on March 18, the day before the game. For example, pitchers Brandon Clarke (6) and Ixan Henderson (12) are not currently throwing due to injury.

The Spring Breakout series of 16 games are held over a four-day period on the major league spring training fields to showcase top prospects from each organization.

On Thursday, March 19 at 4:30 p.m. ET, Cardinals prospects will face their counterparts from the Washington Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium. It will follow the big-league game at 1:00 p.m. and can be viewed on MLB.TVMLB.com, MLB App and Gameday.

Of course, I will again be there in person to report on all the action!

Preliminary Cardinals 40-man player pool 

PITCHERS (20) Pos Pipeline TCN
Blake Aita  RHP  NR 24a
Tyler Bradt  RHP  NR NR
Mason Burns  RHP  NR 50
Brandon Clarke  LHP  No. 9 6
Randel Clemente  RHP  NR 41
Jurrangelo Cijntje  SWP  No. 5 5a
Cade Crossland  LHP  No. 25 22
Braden Davis  LHP  No. 28 16
Liam Doyle  LHP  No. 2 2
Yhoiker Fajardo  RHP  No. 13 20a
Tanner Franklin  RHP  No. 11 13
Jovi Galvez  RHP  NR NR
Luis Gastelum  RHP  No. 22 21
Tink Hence  RHP  No. 15 10
Ixan Henderson  LHP  No. 14 12
Chen-Wei Lin  RHP  No. 26 17
Quinn Mathews  LHP  No. 7 4
Brycen Mautz  LHP  No. 21 18
Hancel Rincon  RHP  No. 29 23
Michael Watson  LHP  NR 36
CATCHERS (3) Pos Pipe TCN
Leonardo Bernal  C  No. 6 5
Ryan Campos  C  NR 48
Rainiel Rodriguez  C  No. 3 3
INFIELDERS (11) Pos Pipe TCN
Jesus Baez  INF  No. 20 14
Jalin Flores  INF  NR NR
Jon Jon Gazdar  INF  NR NR
Jack Gurevitch  1B  No. 30 38
Blaze Jordan  1B/3B  No. 27 30
Josh Kross  1B/C  NR 37
Cade McGee  INF  NR NR
Noah Mendlinger  UTIL  NR NR
Deniel Ortiz  3B/1B  No. 24 15
Yairo Padilla  SS  No. 16 29
JJ Wetherholt  INF  No. 1 1
OUTFIELDERS (6) Pos Pipe TCN
Joshua Baez  OF  No. 4 8
Colton Ledbetter  OF  NR 46a
Zach Levenson  OF  NR 25
Ryan Mitchell  OF/INF  No. 12 19
Tai Peete  OF  No. 18 19a
Miguel Ugueto  OF  NR NR

Now available – 2026 Cardinals Prospect Guide

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Order The Cardinal Nation’s 2026 St. Louis Cardinals Prospect Guide


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How Six Top 86 Draft Picks are Different for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2026


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Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com. Follow Brian and The Cardinal Nation on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

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