NEW 11/11 Baseball America Cardinals Top 10 prospects

[Ronnie Dobbs]

It’s nice to start getting excited about the farm again. Between Baseball America, MLB, and our own craviduce, I think the top 10 looks good no a matter how it shakes out. I too am a bit confused about how Josh Baez got totally left off one list, yet BA has him so high, but whatever. It’s all subjective. I’d like to see the Cardinals internal rankings. But it’s nice to have some real high end talent (Wetherholt, Doyle, Rodriguez) in the mix with a lot of solid prospects again. And I can’t argue with anyone saying guys from all three lists like Bernal, Padilla, and Josh Baez are higher end prospects.

I hope to see Wetherholt getting it done on the MLB team this year. Possibly Doyle as well more into the season. Hopefully we will get some surprises too. We could beef up even more if we get a sweet spot in the lottery.

Things are pretty rough with the Cardinals right now, but at least you can feel like we have some really good prospects ready to step up here soon.

[Cranny]

Josh Baez that high? I loved his turn around...but that's Zero to 60 in under 2 seconds....wasn't ranked for a few years, now he's 4th? Incredible.

Joshua Baez cutting his strikeout rate by 40% and increasing his ISO from 2024 while moving up to AA is pretty interesting.

Taking a high school player out of the Northeast is a risk. The baseball seasons are shorter because of weather, and there's less data to go on. Baez was drafted in the 2nd round in 2011 by the Cardinals (as a kid who had just turned 18) out of
Dexter School in Brookline, MA. He made a slow start as a pro as he was adjusting to playing against a number of
college guys who were older, and longer seasons than he was used to. But in 2025 he broke out playing for Peoria and then being promoted to Springfield. For the season, in 117 games, he smacked 20 home runs and stole 54 bases. Had an OPS of .884. He's a big guy at 6' 3", 220 lbs. No wonder he opened some eyes. Hope his upward curve continues in 2026.

he's not that old, Cranny.

Drafted in 2021

I never said he was old. I said he was drafted out of high school in 2011 when he had just turned 18. Read the above. Are you confusing this with the comments I made about Bryan Torres?

[craviduce]

Josh Baez that high? I loved his turn around...but that's Zero to 60 in under 2 seconds....wasn't ranked for a few years, now he's 4th? Incredible.

Joshua Baez cutting his strikeout rate by 40% and increasing his ISO from 2024 while moving up to AA is pretty interesting.

Taking a high school player out of the Northeast is a risk. The baseball seasons are shorter because of weather, and there's less data to go on. Baez was drafted in the 2nd round in 2011 by the Cardinals (as a kid who had just turned 18) out of
Dexter School in Brookline, MA. He made a slow start as a pro as he was adjusting to playing against a number of
college guys who were older, and longer seasons than he was used to. But in 2025 he broke out playing for Peoria and then being promoted to Springfield. For the season, in 117 games, he smacked 20 home runs and stole 54 bases. Had an OPS of .884. He's a big guy at 6' 3", 220 lbs. No wonder he opened some eyes. Hope his upward curve continues in 2026.

he's not that old, Cranny.

Drafted in 2021

I never said he was old. I said he was drafted out of high school in 2011 when he had just turned 18. Read the above. Are you confusing this with the comments I made about Bryan Torres?

Baez wasn't drafted in 2011...he was drafted in 2021.

I highlighted where you typed/said "2011".

[An Old Friend]

Josh Baez that high? I loved his turn around...but that's Zero to 60 in under 2 seconds....wasn't ranked for a few years, now he's 4th? Incredible.

Joshua Baez cutting his strikeout rate by 40% and increasing his ISO from 2024 while moving up to AA is pretty interesting.

Taking a high school player out of the Northeast is a risk. The baseball seasons are shorter because of weather, and there's less data to go on. Baez was drafted in the 2nd round in 2011 by the Cardinals (as a kid who had just turned 18) out of
Dexter School in Brookline, MA. He made a slow start as a pro as he was adjusting to playing against a number of
college guys who were older, and longer seasons than he was used to. But in 2025 he broke out playing for Peoria and then being promoted to Springfield. For the season, in 117 games, he smacked 20 home runs and stole 54 bases. Had an OPS of .884. He's a big guy at 6' 3", 220 lbs. No wonder he opened some eyes. Hope his upward curve continues in 2026.

he's not that old, Cranny.

Drafted in 2021

I never said he was old. I said he was drafted out of high school in 2011 when he had just turned 18. Read the above. Are you confusing this with the comments I made about Bryan Torres?

Baez wasn't drafted in 2011...he was drafted in 2021.

I highlighted where you typed/said "2011".

He was drafted straight out of 3rd grade and understandably has struggled with minor league velocity for well over a decade

[craviduce]

Josh Baez that high? I loved his turn around...but that's Zero to 60 in under 2 seconds....wasn't ranked for a few years, now he's 4th? Incredible.

Joshua Baez cutting his strikeout rate by 40% and increasing his ISO from 2024 while moving up to AA is pretty interesting.

Taking a high school player out of the Northeast is a risk. The baseball seasons are shorter because of weather, and there's less data to go on. Baez was drafted in the 2nd round in 2011 by the Cardinals (as a kid who had just turned 18) out of
Dexter School in Brookline, MA. He made a slow start as a pro as he was adjusting to playing against a number of
college guys who were older, and longer seasons than he was used to. But in 2025 he broke out playing for Peoria and then being promoted to Springfield. For the season, in 117 games, he smacked 20 home runs and stole 54 bases. Had an OPS of .884. He's a big guy at 6' 3", 220 lbs. No wonder he opened some eyes. Hope his upward curve continues in 2026.

he's not that old, Cranny.

Drafted in 2021

I never said he was old. I said he was drafted out of high school in 2011 when he had just turned 18. Read the above. Are you confusing this with the comments I made about Bryan Torres?

Baez wasn't drafted in 2011...he was drafted in 2021.

I highlighted where you typed/said "2011".

He was drafted straight out of 3rd grade and understandably has struggled with minor league velocity for well over a decade

[Cranny]

Josh Baez that high? I loved his turn around...but that's Zero to 60 in under 2 seconds....wasn't ranked for a few years, now he's 4th? Incredible.

Joshua Baez cutting his strikeout rate by 40% and increasing his ISO from 2024 while moving up to AA is pretty interesting.

Taking a high school player out of the Northeast is a risk. The baseball seasons are shorter because of weather, and there's less data to go on. Baez was drafted in the 2nd round in 2011 by the Cardinals (as a kid who had just turned 18) out of
Dexter School in Brookline, MA. He made a slow start as a pro as he was adjusting to playing against a number of
college guys who were older, and longer seasons than he was used to. But in 2025 he broke out playing for Peoria and then being promoted to Springfield. For the season, in 117 games, he smacked 20 home runs and stole 54 bases. Had an OPS of .884. He's a big guy at 6' 3", 220 lbs. No wonder he opened some eyes. Hope his upward curve continues in 2026.

he's not that old, Cranny.

Drafted in 2021

I never said he was old. I said he was drafted out of high school in 2011 when he had just turned 18. Read the above. Are you confusing this with the comments I made about Bryan Torres?

Baez wasn't drafted in 2011...he was drafted in 2021.

I highlighted where you typed/said "2011".

Very sorry for the typo. But of course you knew exactly what I meant. However, will try not to make the same error again, Craviduce.

[Shady]

Josh Baez that high? I loved his turn around...but that's Zero to 60 in under 2 seconds....wasn't ranked for a few years, now he's 4th? Incredible.

Joshua Baez cutting his strikeout rate by 40% and increasing his ISO from 2024 while moving up to AA is pretty interesting.

Taking a high school player out of the Northeast is a risk. The baseball seasons are shorter because of weather, and there's less data to go on. Baez was drafted in the 2nd round in 2011 by the Cardinals (as a kid who had just turned 18) out of
Dexter School in Brookline, MA. He made a slow start as a pro as he was adjusting to playing against a number of
college guys who were older, and longer seasons than he was used to. But in 2025 he broke out playing for Peoria and then being promoted to Springfield. For the season, in 117 games, he smacked 20 home runs and stole 54 bases. Had an OPS of .884. He's a big guy at 6' 3", 220 lbs. No wonder he opened some eyes. Hope his upward curve continues in 2026.

he's not that old, Cranny.

Drafted in 2021

I never said he was old. I said he was drafted out of high school in 2011 when he had just turned 18. Read the above. Are you confusing this with the comments I made about Bryan Torres?

Baez wasn't drafted in 2011...he was drafted in 2021.

I highlighted where you typed/said "2011".

Very sorry for the typo. But of course you knew exactly what I meant. However, will try not to make the same error again, Craviduce.

It's rather tough dealing with posters that never ever make an error. And are on the lookout to slam those that do from time to time.

[Cranny]

Josh Baez that high? I loved his turn around...but that's Zero to 60 in under 2 seconds....wasn't ranked for a few years, now he's 4th? Incredible.

Joshua Baez cutting his strikeout rate by 40% and increasing his ISO from 2024 while moving up to AA is pretty interesting.

Taking a high school player out of the Northeast is a risk. The baseball seasons are shorter because of weather, and there's less data to go on. Baez was drafted in the 2nd round in 2011 by the Cardinals (as a kid who had just turned 18) out of
Dexter School in Brookline, MA. He made a slow start as a pro as he was adjusting to playing against a number of
college guys who were older, and longer seasons than he was used to. But in 2025 he broke out playing for Peoria and then being promoted to Springfield. For the season, in 117 games, he smacked 20 home runs and stole 54 bases. Had an OPS of .884. He's a big guy at 6' 3", 220 lbs. No wonder he opened some eyes. Hope his upward curve continues in 2026.

he's not that old, Cranny.

Drafted in 2021

I never said he was old. I said he was drafted out of high school in 2011 when he had just turned 18. Read the above. Are you confusing this with the comments I made about Bryan Torres?

Baez wasn't drafted in 2011...he was drafted in 2021.

I highlighted where you typed/said "2011".

Very sorry for the typo. But of course you knew exactly what I meant. However, will try not to make the same error again, Craviduce.

It's rather tough dealing with posters that never ever make an error. And are on the lookout to slam those that do from time to time.

Some posters seem to get their jollies that way.

[Shady]

Josh Baez that high? I loved his turn around...but that's Zero to 60 in under 2 seconds....wasn't ranked for a few years, now he's 4th? Incredible.

Joshua Baez cutting his strikeout rate by 40% and increasing his ISO from 2024 while moving up to AA is pretty interesting.

Taking a high school player out of the Northeast is a risk. The baseball seasons are shorter because of weather, and there's less data to go on. Baez was drafted in the 2nd round in 2011 by the Cardinals (as a kid who had just turned 18) out of
Dexter School in Brookline, MA. He made a slow start as a pro as he was adjusting to playing against a number of
college guys who were older, and longer seasons than he was used to. But in 2025 he broke out playing for Peoria and then being promoted to Springfield. For the season, in 117 games, he smacked 20 home runs and stole 54 bases. Had an OPS of .884. He's a big guy at 6' 3", 220 lbs. No wonder he opened some eyes. Hope his upward curve continues in 2026.

he's not that old, Cranny.

Drafted in 2021

I never said he was old. I said he was drafted out of high school in 2011 when he had just turned 18. Read the above. Are you confusing this with the comments I made about Bryan Torres?

Baez wasn't drafted in 2011...he was drafted in 2021.

I highlighted where you typed/said "2011".

Very sorry for the typo. But of course you knew exactly what I meant. However, will try not to make the same error again, Craviduce.

It's rather tough dealing with posters that never ever make an error. And are on the lookout to slam those that do from time to time.

Some posters seem to get their jollies that way.

For whatever reason, they are sad human beings no matter how intelligent and informative CT posters they are.

[Bushiro]

As promised, here is the newly released BA Top 10 Enjoy !

1. Wetherholt
2. Doyle
3. Rodriguez
4. Joshua Baez
5. Matthews'
6. Tanner Franklin
7. Ixan Henderson'
8. Crooks
9. Bernal
10. Padilla


In comparing BA Top 10 today with the MLB.com Top 10 , I noticed that Jesus Baez not on BA Top 10 and Tanner Franklin was 19th on MLB.
Henderson was 15th on MLB and made this Top 10 .
The Top 3 , as many expected , were the same in exact order.. JJ, Doyle, and Rodriguez .

yay!!! They're high on Tanner Franklin, too!!!

booh...they're low on Padilla .... Oh well.

And really low on Bernal...I guess the June through September swoon at the plate outweighed the work behind the plate?

Josh Baez that high? I loved his turn around...but that's Zero to 60 in under 2 seconds....wasn't ranked for a few years, now he's 4th? Incredible.

Franklin will be the cards future closer...and a successful one

[Carp4Cy]

As promised, here is the newly released BA Top 10 Enjoy !

1. Wetherholt
2. Doyle
3. Rodriguez
4. Joshua Baez
5. Matthews'
6. Tanner Franklin
7. Ixan Henderson'
8. Crooks
9. Bernal
10. Padilla


In comparing BA Top 10 today with the MLB.com Top 10 , I noticed that Jesus Baez not on BA Top 10 and Tanner Franklin was 19th on MLB.
Henderson was 15th on MLB and made this Top 10 .
The Top 3 , as many expected , were the same in exact order.. JJ, Doyle, and Rodriguez .

Every prospect a draftee if I’m not mistaken. Trades for “prospects” aren’t helping us here.

[BigRob]

I was looking at some of these lists recently and it made me stop and think about the last time the Cardinals seemed to have a couple fast-rising "sure things" from both a positional and pitcher side of prospect lists.

Currently, both JJ Wetherholt and Liam Doyle feel like safe bets to be Major League impact players in some regard (I still wonder if Doyle isn't more Billy Wagner and less Randy Johnson). I started going through the memory bank (which is admittedly thinning) and landed on the late 1990's prospects lists.

In 1999, the Cardinals had two of the top ranked prospects in ALL of the MLB, JD Drew and Rick Ankiel. In terms of national rankings, Baseball Prospectus had Drew as #2 in all of baseball (behind Eric Chavez of the A's) and Rick Ankiel at #11. Interestingly enough, another Cardinals prosepct was ranked between them, at #5. That was SS Pablo Ozuna (who was later involved in the Edgar Renteria trade, and ended up being a few years older than his stated age).

I see some similarities between this year's prospect lists for the Cardinals and post-1998. Wetherholt reminds me a lot of Drew during the time frame, Doyle has the high upside that Ankiel also possessed (although Rick was 3-4 years younger), and Ozuna, being an International player, gives me some Rainiel Rodriguez vibes.

Just for fun, the other names on the Top 10 list from Baseball Prospectus back then:
1. Chavez
2. Drew
3. Alex Escobar (CF, Mets)
4. Bruce Chen (LHP, Braves)
5. Ozuna
6. Nick Johnson (1B, Yankees)
7. Octavio Dotel (RHP, Mets)
8. Jeremy Giambi (LF, Royals)
9. Carlos Beltran (CF, Royals)
10. Matt Clement (RHP, Padres)
11. Ankiel

[Talkin' Baseball]

I was looking at some of these lists recently and it made me stop and think about the last time the Cardinals seemed to have a couple fast-rising "sure things" from both a positional and pitcher side of prospect lists.

Currently, both JJ Wetherholt and Liam Doyle feel like safe bets to be Major League impact players in some regard (I still wonder if Doyle isn't more Billy Wagner and less Randy Johnson). I started going through the memory bank (which is admittedly thinning) and landed on the late 1990's prospects lists.

In 1999, the Cardinals had two of the top ranked prospects in ALL of the MLB, JD Drew and Rick Ankiel. In terms of national rankings, Baseball Prospectus had Drew as #2 in all of baseball (behind Eric Chavez of the A's) and Rick Ankiel at #11. Interestingly enough, another Cardinals prosepct was ranked between them, at #5. That was SS Pablo Ozuna (who was later involved in the Edgar Renteria trade, and ended up being a few years older than his stated age).

I see some similarities between this year's prospect lists for the Cardinals and post-1998. Wetherholt reminds me a lot of Drew during the time frame, Doyle has the high upside that Ankiel also possessed (although Rick was 3-4 years younger), and Ozuna, being an International player, gives me some Rainiel Rodriguez vibes.

Just for fun, the other names on the Top 10 list from Baseball Prospectus back then:
1. Chavez
2. Drew
3. Alex Escobar (CF, Mets)
4. Bruce Chen (LHP, Braves)
5. Ozuna
6. Nick Johnson (1B, Yankees)
7. Octavio Dotel (RHP, Mets)
8. Jeremy Giambi (LF, Royals)
9. Carlos Beltran (CF, Royals)
10. Matt Clement (RHP, Padres)
11. Ankiel

That's interesting. Dotel, Beltran, and Clement would all play for the Cardinals in later years.

[Strummer Jones]

Hoping the Cards can turn Tanner Franklin into our version of Jacob Misiorowski

Except a bit shorter and with a less punchable face. I'm sorry, but Miz has a face that just screams "DO YOU KNOW WHO MY DAD IS!?"

Anywho...

I'm pretty high on Franklin. I'm glad others are too.

[82birds]

It’s nice to start getting excited about the farm again.
Things are pretty rough with the Cardinals right now, but at least you can feel like we have some really good prospects ready to step up here soon.

agree

and thx Dan for posting BA's top 10