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There is a great article (at least from us Cards fans perspective) from Baseball America regarding this years draft depth and ranking groups like college and prep pitchers. They have been doing this article annually for 6 years. The article states according to 18 teams scouting directors averaged grades. This year is the best depth average in 6 years. College pitching is ranked average, prep pitching is also ranked the best during the time frame. College hitting is ranked above average.
This should benefit the Cardinals, as their depth with 6 of the first 86 picks. With more in the draft pool to play with, they can both save some $$$ with college seniors, and pick more expensive prep players with high upside. It should be fun to follow this years draft particularly. Maybe the Cards can get back to the top farm system again.Just looking at MLB pipelines rankings this would be a heck of a top 6. All are ranked after the picks.
13 – Aj Gracia 55h/60o
32 – Blake Bowen 45/60
50 – Cole Koeninger SS/Pitcher
68 – Kade Lewis
72 – Cade Townsend
86 – Andrew WilliamsonObviously things will change in the spring/summer but that would be one heck of a draft as things stand on 2/11.
Cards have the fifth most pool amount.
Slot values for the @MLBDraft are up 2.5% from 2025. That gives the @WhiteSox a record $11,350,600 assigned value for the No. 1 overall pick. The @Pirates have the biggest bonus pool ever at $19,130,700.
Each team's pool is below. We'll have a story up at @MLBPipeline soon. pic.twitter.com/G3R1fVK7cK
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) April 1, 2026
When you have time, can you add the 2025 draft article links to https://thecardinalnation.com/st-louis-cardinals-draft-history/
They aren’t hard to find using the search bar, but would be helpful to have here.
Thanks for all the great coverage!
I think this years draft is going to be potentially the most important draft for us in a while. Not for the immediate time of when we become competitive or even any individual picks. Its about turning the cards back into a consistent winning franchise from top to bottom for longterm success. I dont want the catdinals to be a one or two season success like the royals. I think this draft will determine how blooms tenure here will be viewed, along wuth the continued development of the farm systen and its players.
I think this years draft is going to be potentially the most important draft for us in a while.
I don’t disagree, but probably the same argument can be made as each draft approaches.
For a while I was trying to keep track, sort of, of the staff personnel changes involved in the draft effort. From scouts and the analyst types on up to who pulls the lever on draft day. I think there has been significant evolution in that part of the organization but have lost track of the particulars and extent. It will be interesting to see which way they go with it. Pitchers, position players, infielders, outfielders, catchers, college, high school, high floor, high ceiling, injury risk, where they save and where they go over.
Ah bling, i dont agree that you can say the same with every draft. The trades they made and the moves all gave us extra picks. So for that its more important. But also add this is blooms first real run through here and then add it how fans feel about ownership and how its ran this organization down. Regardless the effects wont be felt immediately but i believe this could either get things back where they were or its just another and maybe final nail in the coffin. Sure they will have to continue to do well in subsequent drafts but i feel this is the big one people will look back on in a few years.
Cardinals slot values
1 (13) $5,661,300
CBA (32) $3,044,600
2 (50) $1,982,700
CBB (68) $1,285,500
CBB (72) $1,174,300
3 (86) $943,600
4 (114) $684,300
5 (148) $501,300
6 (178) $383,400
7 (208) $302,300
8 (238) $241,000
9 (268) $210,600
10 (298) $197,400NEWS: Another change coming to the MLB Draft. According to two sources, Day 1 of the Draft will now be four rounds. Day 2 will include Rounds 5 through 20.
It's the fourth change in six years to the format of the event.
👇FREE TO READ👇 pic.twitter.com/oyiowyRusA
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) April 8, 2026
Baseball America has the Cards taking catcher Helfrick from Ariana’s with their 13th pick, and a pitcher named Townsend with their 32nd pick. I really wouldn’t think they’d take a catcher in the first round without them being clearly the BPA.
Agree C27, especially at 13, BPA that is a 50H/60P guy that is either an OF or a “SS” that’s likely to move to 3B. There should be several options available at that spot.
If Walker keeps it up, a LF is signed/traded for is Baez going to be the longer term CF? I say yes for several years. Scott and Church should both be toward the top of the highly tradeable list.
Sometimes with draft strategy, teams wont always take the bpa with the first pick unless its a cant miss type player. Im not sure you are getting one of those with the 13th pick.
Catcher is the last position I’d target early unless they are heads above their next choice. Of, if, and you can never had enough pitching. Plus, several of the mock drafts have position players going early, so pitching may be the way to go.
Baseball America has the Cards taking catcher Helfrick from Ariana’s with their 13th pick,
Are you referring to Ryder Helfrick? If so he is a catcher from Arkansas. I have seen him play several times. A very good player but I am a bit surprised he is projected that high. I know MLB teams usually don’t draft for need but you would think catching would be the one postion the Cardinal system wouldn’t need to use a first round pick on.
Well you can take picks for different reasons rather than need. This isnt a number 1-5 pick, in this case 13 might not be really any better than say 32. Theres lots of chess going on sometimes esp with the pool money.
I absolutely love the Hogs’ Ryder Patrick Helfrick! Great behind the plate and ohhhh what a sweet majestic stroke. He’ll put a team’s catching concerns in the backseat for about the next 15 years.
Thinking out loud here, but even though we’re knee deep in quality catching prospects, if you have a stud like R.P. Helfrick sitting there at #13, how can you not pull the trigger? By season’s end, the likes of Bernal and Crooks & Co. will have teams in need licking their chops to acquire one in trade.
Thanks Brian. Just returned from a whirlwind vacation to Gary, Indiana. Glad to be back in the saddle where I belong.
Breathtaking, Willie. My 4 favorite vacation spots are Maui, Cape Cod, Sedona, AZ and Gary, Indiana. Between the iconic views and scenic drives, all 4 are ever so special. But if I had to pick one favorite…….I think I’d have to tip my cap in Gary’s direction.
Saw a mock projection giving us burress from georgia tech. He was highly rated last srason but his power production really took a dip this season. I dont know. When you see that kind of dip i think its a pass that early. Also some thoughts he struggles with a wood bat, thats another red flag. I say no.
I dont know pugs. Ive been up to northern indiana, it just doesnt do it for me. For me its the smoky mountains down around tennessee however i did find new york beautiful when my son and i went to the baseball hall of fame years ago.
Here is a graphic of the BA mock under discussion.
Mock draft 2.0 👀https://t.co/xpi0CqDBOW pic.twitter.com/rY4eWcmCAq
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) April 15, 2026
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