Jim Bowden: JJ Wetherholt #2 Prospect in all MLB

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

The Cards have seldom had top 10 picks in the draft since it began in 1966.
When they have, it's been a story of some average to good players to make the majors, the best of whom are Drew and Van Slyke, just no superstars, with:

2025 - Doyle - #5
2024 - JJW -#7
1998 - Drew #5 (46 fWAR)
1996 - Braden Looper #3 (72W/65L)
1991- Dmitri Young - #4
1989 - Paul Coleman - #6 (worst by far -- had major red flags at the time)
1984 - Mike Dunne - #7 (one good year for the Pirates)
1981 - Bobby Meacham - #8 (infamous for being sent to the Yankees when Bob Sykes [traded for McGee] came up lame)
1979 - Andy Van Slyke - #6 (41.8 fWAR)
1977 - Terry Kennedy - #6
1971 - Ed Kurpiel - #8 (second worst pick)
1966 - Leron Lee - #7 (just one very good year for the Padres - 143 wRC+)

Thanks for putting this together.

[woofy25]

If it was anybody else, I'd ask: "who was ranked first?"

But when has Jim Bowden been right about anything?

The track record of every "expert's" prospect rankings are so bad that there is no value in paying attention to any of them, much less forming an opinion of the Cardinals' future based on them.
It's like valuing stock pickers. The overwhelming majority of hedge funds underperform the market. People are generally pretty bad at predicting the future, projecting baseball prospects being among the most worthless

[Red Bird Classic]

If it was anybody else, I'd ask: "who was ranked first?"

But when has Jim Bowden been right about anything?

The track record of every "expert's" prospect rankings are so bad that there is no value in paying attention to any of them, much less forming an opinion of the Cardinals' future based on them.
It's like valuing stock pickers. The overwhelming majority of hedge funds underperform the market. People are generally pretty bad at predicting the future, projecting baseball prospects being among the most worthless

Ain't it the truth though.

All the modern metrics, complex algorithms, even AI assistants, and the list of highly regarded prospect flops just keeps growing.

[Cusecards]

Look I’m as psyched as anyone to see JJ but :
1) I doubt he’s going to turn into a pumpkin if he doesn’t come up in September?
2) It sounds accurate that they are evaluating their 40 man for 2026 and who to keep?
3) As a follow up to #2 above they probably know that JJ will be a given for 2026. So no need to rush him. But there are others they have to decide on and those are the guys they need to look at in September.

[ClassicO]

The Cards have seldom had top 10 picks in the draft since it began in 1966.
When they have, it's been a story of some average to good players to make the majors, the best of whom are Drew and Van Slyke, just no superstars, with:

2025 - Doyle - #5
2024 - JJW -#7
1998 - Drew #5 (46 fWAR)
1996 - Braden Looper #3 (72W/65L)
1991- Dmitri Young - #4
1989 - Paul Coleman - #6 (worst by far -- had major red flags at the time)
1984 - Mike Dunne - #7 (one good year for the Pirates)
1981 - Bobby Meacham - #8 (infamous for being sent to the Yankees when Bob Sykes [traded for McGee] came up lame)
1979 - Andy Van Slyke - #6 (41.8 fWAR)
1977 - Terry Kennedy - #6
1971 - Ed Kurpiel - #8 (second worst pick)
1966 - Leron Lee - #7 (just one very good year for the Padres - 143 wRC+)

Thanks for putting this together.

You're welcome. I had the curiosity.

[Jobu's Rum]

JJ is rising.
A lot of hype.
May not see him until next spring.
Gotta have hope.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles ... 5_42680459

wasn't Walker the #2 at one point?

Walker was as high as #4 on the official BA.com and MLB.com top 100 lists.
Carlson was #9 on the BA list, but only #13 on MLB.
Taveras was as high as #3 on both lists and for two years in a row.
Alex Reyes was as high as #4 on BA and #6 on MLB.
Shelby Miller was #6 on BA and #5 on MLB.
Rasmus was #3 on BA and #8 on MLB.
Ankiel was #1 on BA.

Taveras got to #1 on the MLB list. I specifically remember texting a friend on this

[Absolut]

JJ is rising.
A lot of hype.
May not see him until next spring.
Gotta have hope.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles ... 5_42680459

Fudge. He was all over Walker. Damnit.

[craviduce]

JJ is rising.
A lot of hype.
May not see him until next spring.
Gotta have hope.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles ... 5_42680459

wasn't Walker the #2 at one point?

Walker was as high as #4 on the official BA.com and MLB.com top 100 lists.
Carlson was #9 on the BA list, but only #13 on MLB.
Taveras was as high as #3 on both lists and for two years in a row.
Alex Reyes was as high as #4 on BA and #6 on MLB.
Shelby Miller was #6 on BA and #5 on MLB.
Rasmus was #3 on BA and #8 on MLB.
Ankiel was #1 on BA.

Taveras got to #1 on the MLB list. I specifically remember texting a friend on this

Attrition got him to #1, same with Walker...people graduate, they bump the list up 1 slot.

[Bully4you]

JJ is rising.
A lot of hype.
May not see him until next spring.
Gotta have hope.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles ... 5_42680459

Fudge. He was all over Walker. Damnit.

Yeah, he had Walker as his #1 prospect in all MLB.
I'm hoping he's right this time!!

[BobbyOrr]

Someone sit him down and tell him not to go clubbing and drive a muscle car drunk!