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kyace wrote: ↑12 Jul 2025 20:40 pm Good idea. I remember years ago a handful of Cards talk members had a private thread or whatever it was at that time on draft day. I believe it was the 2012 draft where the Cards drafted James Ramsey in the first round much to everyone’s surprise. That turned out to be a disaster as he never made it to the majors and ended up bouncing around in the minors. However it worked out for him as he is now the head coach at Georgia Tech.
I know everyone here really appreciates the time and effort you put into this and the minors thread. I know I read both everyday.

Karmaloop3 wrote: ↑12 Jul 2025 21:11 pm

kyace wrote: ↑12 Jul 2025 20:40 pm Good idea. I remember years ago a handful of Cards talk members had a private thread or whatever it was at that time on draft day. I believe it was the 2012 draft where the Cards drafted James Ramsey in the first round much to everyone’s surprise. That turned out to be a disaster as he never made it to the majors and ended up bouncing around in the minors. However it worked out for him as he is now the head coach at Georgia Tech.
I know everyone here really appreciates the time and effort you put into this and the minors thread. I know I read both everyday.

IIRC, the biggest issue everyone had with Ramsey was everyone convinced he was one of those slot slavers who profiled as a 4th Ofer. He ended dup leveraging it into a better deal than he probably deserved.

kyace wrote: ↑12 Jul 2025 22:08 pm

Karmaloop3 wrote: ↑12 Jul 2025 21:11 pm

kyace wrote: ↑12 Jul 2025 20:40 pm Good idea. I remember years ago a handful of Cards talk members had a private thread or whatever it was at that time on draft day. I believe it was the 2012 draft where the Cards drafted James Ramsey in the first round much to everyone’s surprise. That turned out to be a disaster as he never made it to the majors and ended up bouncing around in the minors. However it worked out for him as he is now the head coach at Georgia Tech.
I know everyone here really appreciates the time and effort you put into this and the minors thread. I know I read both everyday.

IIRC, the biggest issue everyone had with Ramsey was everyone convinced he was one of those slot slavers who profiled as a 4th Ofer. He ended dup leveraging it into a better deal than he probably deserved.

The guy evidently is a great person but I had a grudge due to this and sorry to say took pleasure in him not making to the bigs as I followed his career.

Exactly, back then the college WS was after the draft so they had to wait to try to sign him. If I remember Cards were trying to save money to pay Conroy, a high school left hander. Ramsey had them over the barrel due to if he didn’t sign then the entire slot amount would be counted against the Cards and put them into penalty territory and would lose their top pick the next year. They had to pay him at almost slot value to prevent going over.

nmstar wrote: ↑13 Jul 2025 07:36 am Final mock from mlb.com is up and still has Cards taking Willits: https://www.mlb.com/news/final-mlb-mock-draft-2025

They do mention that Willits is under consideration for the first pick on an under slot deal. Given that they have Willits going at pick 5 this doesn't come to pass in their view. Happy draft day (part 1) everyone!

cardinalsfever44 wrote: ↑12 Jul 2025 18:34 pm I'm down with a new thread as well. Very much appreciate all of the info everyone has supplied on this thread. It's been a fun ride.

As we sit here a day away from the draft, which prospect would you be most DISAPPOINTED if the Cardinals took at #5?

I know we've had lots of polls on who everyone wants most, but who scares you the most and/or screams BUST to you?

I'm going to say Seth Hernandez. Not that you guys won't most likely talk me into being happy about the pick, but just because high school arms scare me and it takes forever to even see the rewards from the pick if it works out. How about you guys?

nmstar wrote: ↑13 Jul 2025 07:36 am Final mock from mlb.com is up and still has Cards taking Willits: https://www.mlb.com/news/final-mlb-mock-draft-2025

They do mention that Willits is under consideration for the first pick on an under slot deal. Given that they have Willits going at pick 5 this doesn't come to pass in their view. Happy draft day (part 1) everyone!

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑13 Jul 2025 09:53 am Crav, as an update with my cousin David Shaw…my aunt texted my family that he has been working with an agent and the agent is optimistic that he’ll be drafted, probably in the 15th-20th rounds. Sounds like Orioles, Dbacks, and Twins have shown the most interest. He’s been starting in the MLB draft league and has yet to give up a run in his 2 starts. His last start was 5 IP 3 H 2 BB 7 K. Ironically his manager is Preston Wilson. He’s had a former Cardinal on his team’s coaching staffs at his last 3 teams.

82birds wrote: ↑13 Jul 2025 08:31 am I found this on Willits from Kiley McDaniel:

Willits is a switch-hitter who is much better left-handed, but his right-handed swing is good enough to continue with for now. His frame and swing remind me of Jackson Merrill a bit, though Willits is 6-foot or 6-foot-1 and Merrill is 6-foot-3, so his power potential isn't at the same level. Willits' approach is focused on hitting liners and fly balls to the middle of the field, but he shows enough aptitude at pulling/lifting the ball to tap into his fringe-to-average raw power in games. There is a world where he grows into 20-homer power, but I'd expect more like 15 with lots of doubles and triples.

Willits doesn't always show off his arm, but there is plus arm strength in there, and he's sure-handed with solid range at shortstop to where he may end up being above average defensively.

Basically, Willits is above average at almost everything, with power potential maybe a notch below that.

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑13 Jul 2025 11:56 am So, I don't think I'll really be upset with whoever the Cardinals take, but I'm gonna go ahead and say that they should take Arnold if he's available.

But I'm still holding out some hope that DeWitt cashes in some favors and somehow rigs the draft so Holliday falls to us. I think that would be the most fun outcome.