New Baseball America Top 10 prospects for each NL Central team released this week.

[craviduce]

My Top 20ish would be :

1. Wetherholt
2. Doyle
3. Bernal
4. Rodriguez
5. Padilla
6. Mathews
7. Jesus Baez
8. Crooks III
9. Josh Baez
10. Hence
11. Roby
12. Franklin
13. Davis
14. Mitchell
15. Henderson
16. Gastelum
17. Mautz
18. Sequera
19. Hunter
20. De La Santos (spell check)
21. Hjerpe
22. Ortiz
23. Molina
24. Dohm
25. Jordan

I do like Gazdar's bat...but I don't know where to put him...and I don't know if he's an even lighter hitting Nathan Church.

Lin needs to show he can command his pitches consistently....he has a lot to prove this next season, can he stay healthy enough to prove it? Until then, he's outside looking in.

I am certainly not a professional scout or even the most educated farm system analyst. Am I wrong thinking this is the best top 25 we have seen in the last 10 years? I feel the stirring of hope.

yessir....definitely the deepest. Best is TBD, but yeah...you can get away with a "best" description.

[craviduce]

I'm glad for the attention, and I'm sure we've been improving but I just don't have that guy feeling that we're the top of the heap right now.

Outside of JJ, and as much as I like Raniel, I just feel like that list is short on top flight talent and real big on fifth starters (Doyle notwithstanding), middle relievers, and platoon and bench bats.

we're not Top... Detroit, Seattle and the White Sox have an extremely good farm right now. But we're Top 5....or just shy of it, imo, like 6 or 7

we can thank the middle tier prospects for that...deepest group of 40/80, 45/80 prospects I've seen in a LONG time.

[craviduce]

Yairo Padilla any lower than 5th on any Top 10/20/30 list is a crime....and I can't take them seriously.

I'm so excited about Rainiel Rodrigues, but I'm twice as excited for Padilla....17yo, premium position, and he held his own in the FCL at the plate. I was scared he would choke. If it wasn't for the mid summer injury, he would've likely been promoted to Palm Beach. God with the glove, very fast, good arm, and can hit (and gets on base at an incredible clip)...no power, but you can live with that.

Padilla is a future #1 prospect

Quite a statement coming from someone who's as tuned is as you, crav. With respect, I think I'm more hyped on Rodriguez--I think he could be a homegrown MOTO bat. But I clearly need to get more hyped (and knowledgeable) about Padilla!

you can love them both Just like me.

A veteran scout gave me sage advice one time. He said, “Never get too enamored with a prospect, because you never know how well they’ll develop. Especially a very young prospect”. Look at Walker and Gorman as examples.

it's like arguing for 10 pages about the greatness of Chase Davis in May 2025. That "Ray Lankford" comp didn't hold its weight, eh, Cranny?



I put my Top 25 out there...but thanks for putting me in my place.

[Strummer Jones]

I'm glad for the attention, and I'm sure we've been improving but I just don't have that guy feeling that we're the top of the heap right now.

Outside of JJ, and as much as I like Raniel, I just feel like that list is short on top flight talent and real big on fifth starters (Doyle notwithstanding), middle relievers, and platoon and bench bats.

Come on dude. You are harshing my buzz.

If it makes you feel better, I am going off vibes only. And at one point those vibes told me that Jimmy Journell would anchor a rotation alongside Rick Ankiel.

[82birds]

I'm glad for the attention, and I'm sure we've been improving but I just don't have that guy feeling that we're the top of the heap right now.

Outside of JJ, and as much as I like Raniel, I just feel like that list is short on top flight talent and real big on fifth starters (Doyle notwithstanding), middle relievers, and platoon and bench bats.

Come on dude. You are harshing my buzz.

If it makes you feel better, I am going off vibes only. And at one point those vibes told me that Jimmy Journell would anchor a rotation alongside Rick Ankiel.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

I'm glad for the attention, and I'm sure we've been improving but I just don't have that guy feeling that we're the top of the heap right now.

Outside of JJ, and as much as I like Raniel, I just feel like that list is short on top flight talent and real big on fifth starters (Doyle notwithstanding), middle relievers, and platoon and bench bats.

Come on dude. You are harshing my buzz.

If it makes you feel better, I am going off vibes only. And at one point those vibes told me that Jimmy Journell would anchor a rotation alongside Rick Ankiel.

It's OK. I got my buzz back. Legal here in Arizona.

[Melville]

I see Joshua Baez as a better prospect than Jesus Baez. More power, more speed, and closer to the majors. (And a cannon of an arm)

Shortstops tend to be a bit over-valued on all prospect lists due to the position.

[ScotchMIrish]

No Tink Hence?

[juan good eye]

I'm glad for the attention, and I'm sure we've been improving but I just don't have that guy feeling that we're the top of the heap right now.

Outside of JJ, and as much as I like Raniel, I just feel like that list is short on top flight talent and real big on fifth starters (Doyle notwithstanding), middle relievers, and platoon and bench bats.

Agree. I see a lot of depth and some hope

[Cranny]

Yairo Padilla any lower than 5th on any Top 10/20/30 list is a crime....and I can't take them seriously.

I'm so excited about Rainiel Rodrigues, but I'm twice as excited for Padilla....17yo, premium position, and he held his own in the FCL at the plate. I was scared he would choke. If it wasn't for the mid summer injury, he would've likely been promoted to Palm Beach. God with the glove, very fast, good arm, and can hit (and gets on base at an incredible clip)...no power, but you can live with that.

Padilla is a future #1 prospect

Quite a statement coming from someone who's as tuned is as you, crav. With respect, I think I'm more hyped on Rodriguez--I think he could be a homegrown MOTO bat. But I clearly need to get more hyped (and knowledgeable) about Padilla!

you can love them both Just like me.

A veteran scout gave me sage advice one time. He said, “Never get too enamored with a prospect, because you never know how well they’ll develop. Especially a very young prospect”. Look at Walker and Gorman as examples.

it's like arguing for 10 pages about the greatness of Chase Davis in May 2025. That "Ray Lankford" comp didn't hold its weight, eh, Cranny?



I put my Top 25 out there...but thanks for putting me in my place.

I don't think I ever compared Davis to Ray Langford, but I was involved in a lot of the conversation about
him last year, because he was a 1st round (21st I believe) draft pick several years ago. He had a decent
year in 2025 at Springfield this season. Helped them win the championship. But he still hasn't lived up to his billing.
Hope he does just that in 2026.

[ICCFIM2]

My Top 20ish would be :

1. Wetherholt
2. Doyle
3. Bernal
4. Rodriguez
5. Padilla
6. Mathews
7. Jesus Baez
8. Crooks III
9. Josh Baez
10. Hence
11. Roby
12. Franklin
13. Davis
14. Mitchell
15. Henderson
16. Gastelum
17. Mautz
18. Sequera
19. Hunter
20. De La Santos (spell check)
21. Hjerpe
22. Ortiz
23. Molina
24. Dohm
25. Jordan

I do like Gazdar's bat...but I don't know where to put him...and I don't know if he's an even lighter hitting Nathan Church.

Lin needs to show he can command his pitches consistently....he has a lot to prove this next season, can he stay healthy enough to prove it? Until then, he's outside looking in.

After carefully reading all of your posts over the last several years, I am surprised you still have Hence at #10. I recall you stating you doubted he would make the majors given his injury history at this point. I am surprised Davis is still as high as #13. I am surprised Henderson is as low as #15 given how good he was in Springfield this year.

It will be interesting to see who the Cards protect on the 40 man this year. I noticed you put Hjerpe way down, which suggests you don't think he will be protected. Guerrero did not think Mautz would be protected nor Hansen who did not even make your list. I guess the fact we are talking 15 players deep of guys who might make a difference is a good thing.

Thank you for all of your posts. They are always thoughtful.

[Talkin' Baseball]

I'm glad for the attention, and I'm sure we've been improving but I just don't have that guy feeling that we're the top of the heap right now.

Outside of JJ, and as much as I like Raniel, I just feel like that list is short on top flight talent and real big on fifth starters (Doyle notwithstanding), middle relievers, and platoon and bench bats.

Agree. I see a lot of depth and some hope

Yeah, but you only have one good eye.

[craviduce]

My Top 20ish would be :

1. Wetherholt
2. Doyle
3. Bernal
4. Rodriguez
5. Padilla
6. Mathews
7. Jesus Baez
8. Crooks III
9. Josh Baez
10. Hence
11. Roby
12. Franklin
13. Davis
14. Mitchell
15. Henderson
16. Gastelum
17. Mautz
18. Sequera
19. Hunter
20. De La Santos (spell check)
21. Hjerpe
22. Ortiz
23. Molina
24. Dohm
25. Jordan

I do like Gazdar's bat...but I don't know where to put him...and I don't know if he's an even lighter hitting Nathan Church.

Lin needs to show he can command his pitches consistently....he has a lot to prove this next season, can he stay healthy enough to prove it? Until then, he's outside looking in.

After carefully reading all of your posts over the last several years, I am surprised you still have Hence at #10. I recall you stating you doubted he would make the majors given his injury history at this point. I am surprised Davis is still as high as #13. I am surprised Henderson is as low as #15 given how good he was in Springfield this year.

It will be interesting to see who the Cards protect on the 40 man this year. I noticed you put Hjerpe way down, which suggests you don't think he will be protected. Guerrero did not think Mautz would be protected nor Hansen who did not even make your list. I guess the fact we are talking 15 players deep of guys who might make a difference is a good thing.

Thank you for all of your posts. They are always thoughtful.

Davis....Braden Davis. 150 K's in 110 IP...granted he did have 75 BB, but most of those came at the end of his outings when he was beyond 50-60 pitches. Stamina is an issue, but this was his first full season. You can argue Henderson higher...I guess? But I Henderson where he is...in a worse system (2 years ago, Henderson would be Top 10) .

Without the shoulder injury, Hence would be higher on everyone's board. His issue before this year was around/near the rib cage...front, side, back... More than likely I have Hence too high....but, like Roby and Hjerpe, he'll drop throughout the year if he doesn't play.

Mautz not on the 40man? Okay...He's gone...I thought the F.O. would protect him...letting him walk December during the Rule 5 draft is negligent...some team will view him has a starter. If Trent Baker gets plucked in 2024, Mautz will. Protecting Hence, Hjerpe and Roby at the same time seems irresponsible, yeah? I'd gamble with not protecting Hjerpe...but that's just me. Put him on AAA roster and make a team put him on the Major League roster for the full season if they choose him in the R5 draft...they couldn't do it.

[Hoosier59]

The Cardinals have so many left handed starters, it would seem that they might use one or two of them to sweeten some trades this Winter. I would like for them to keep Doyle, Henderson, and Mautz over say Mathews and Hanson, and I only trade them in the right deal. Hjerpe has a lot to prove, health wise, so putting him at AAA and leaving off the 40 man seems like the right thing to do. His future, much like Hince’s, is probably in the bull pen.
It would seem pretty obvious that the Cardinals can’t keep all of these lefties, but the tough decision will be which ones to keep and which ones to move! It is a good position to be in.

[rockondlouie]

Yairo Padilla any lower than 5th on any Top 10/20/30 list is a crime....and I can't take them seriously.

I'm so excited about Rainiel Rodrigues, but I'm twice as excited for Padilla....17yo, premium position, and he held his own in the FCL at the plate. I was scared he would choke. If it wasn't for the mid summer injury, he would've likely been promoted to Palm Beach. God with the glove, very fast, good arm, and can hit (and gets on base at an incredible clip)...no power, but you can live with that.

Padilla is a future #1 prospect

Thx for the update duce

And I love that these kids (R-Rod/Padilla etal) are going to get the full C. Bloom player development system!

[moose-and-squirrel]

Yairo Padilla any lower than 5th on any Top 10/20/30 list is a crime....and I can't take them seriously.

I'm so excited about Rainiel Rodrigues, but I'm twice as excited for Padilla....17yo, premium position, and he held his own in the FCL at the plate. I was scared he would choke. If it wasn't for the mid summer injury, he would've likely been promoted to Palm Beach. God with the glove, very fast, good arm, and can hit (and gets on base at an incredible clip)...no power, but you can live with that.

Padilla is a future #1 prospect

Quite a statement coming from someone who's as tuned is as you, crav. With respect, I think I'm more hyped on Rodriguez--I think he could be a homegrown MOTO bat. But I clearly need to get more hyped (and knowledgeable) about Padilla!

you can love them both Just like me.

A veteran scout gave me sage advice one time. He said, “Never get too enamored with a prospect, because you never know how well they’ll develop. Especially a very young prospect”. Look at Walker and Gorman as examples.

it's like arguing for 10 pages about the greatness of Chase Davis in May 2025. That "Ray Lankford" comp didn't hold its weight, eh, Cranny?



I put my Top 25 out there...but thanks for putting me in my place.

I don't think I ever compared Davis to Ray Langford, but I was involved in a lot of the conversation about
him last year, because he was a 1st round (21st I believe) draft pick several years ago. He had a decent
year in 2025 at Springfield this season. Helped them win the championship. But he still hasn't lived up to his billing.
Hope he does just that in 2026.

to quote Bob Seger... turn the page