STLtoday.com

cardstatman wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:01 pm We have one now!
JJ Wetherholt #6 (MLB Pipeline, mid-2025)

Others in not too distant past...

Jordan Walker #4 (Baseball America, 2023)
Dylan Carlson #9 (MLB Pipeline, 2020)
Alex Reyes #2 (Baseball America, mid-2016)
Oscar Taveras #3 (Baseball America, 2013-2014)

I hope the Cards have a better incubator for their next unhatched chickens.

Why do the Cardinals have no home grown superstars? See above.

+1
They are all suspects until they can put together back to back years of plus offensive production for their positions with decent defense and health.

ramfandan wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 13:23 pm If he can throw out runners stealing at a decent rate, then he can play behind the plate.

+1

A bat like his behind the plate would be incredibly special.

The only other option that would fit this team is if they could convert him to 3rd base and he was no worse than a league average fielder.

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 22:37 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 21:17 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:11 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:02 pm

Red Bird Classic wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 18:28 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:13 pm

cardstatman wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:01 pm We have one now!
JJ Wetherholt #6 (MLB Pipeline, mid-2025)

Others in not too distant past...

Jordan Walker #4 (Baseball America, 2023)
Dylan Carlson #9 (MLB Pipeline, 2020)
Alex Reyes #2 (Baseball America, mid-2016)
Oscar Taveras #3 (Baseball America, 2013-2014)

I hope the Cards have a better incubator for their next unhatched chickens.

Why do the Cardinals have no home grown superstars? See above.

In fairness, Taveras killed himself, killed his girlfriend, and orphaned their son.
That was not STL's fault.

But he sucked before he killed himself.

There's no reason to assume Taveraz's future would have been any better than Reyes' or Walker's.

You are not wrong.
And Taveras decided to ensure that we would never know.

You're pretty careless in talking about people you don't know. Stupid, yes- past that the less said the better.

Agree.
Usually enjoy Mel's comments. Not this one.
Mel, you are better than that, guy.

I did not introduce him into this thread.
Someone asked why STL has had such poor results in trying to develop stars from within - and included Taveras as a can't miss prospect, who did.
I merely set the record straight.
Taveras killed himself, a young woman, and orphaned a small child - driving while intoxicated at multiple times the legal limit.
That is what you should find bothersome - rather than the fact I reminded you of that sad yet uncomfortable truth.

Everyone knows what happened with Taveras. Having some tact is always appreciated.

Doesn't he have a kind of frumpy build? I'm not making a joke here, but I thought there were some concerns with his physical build. Also, someone mentioned Kurtz and Skenes not making it to the Show until after their age 21 season. I'm not saying he's Juan Soto, but there are plenty of these guys, especially the latin gentlemen, who have made it up at the age of 18-19.

Have heard some excitement about Padilla's prospect profile as well. Some exciting up and comers indeed.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I'd move Rodriguez to a new position this year. It's clear that the Cardinals value defense above all behind the plate. I haven't heard anything about Raniel's defense, but I would be surprised if it's better than Bernal's defense. I think it's time for Raniel to learn a corner spot. Infield or outfield.

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 09:45 am

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 22:37 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 21:17 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:11 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:02 pm

Red Bird Classic wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 18:28 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:13 pm

cardstatman wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:01 pm We have one now!
JJ Wetherholt #6 (MLB Pipeline, mid-2025)

Others in not too distant past...

Jordan Walker #4 (Baseball America, 2023)
Dylan Carlson #9 (MLB Pipeline, 2020)
Alex Reyes #2 (Baseball America, mid-2016)
Oscar Taveras #3 (Baseball America, 2013-2014)

I hope the Cards have a better incubator for their next unhatched chickens.

Why do the Cardinals have no home grown superstars? See above.

In fairness, Taveras killed himself, killed his girlfriend, and orphaned their son.
That was not STL's fault.

But he sucked before he killed himself.

There's no reason to assume Taveraz's future would have been any better than Reyes' or Walker's.

You are not wrong.
And Taveras decided to ensure that we would never know.

You're pretty careless in talking about people you don't know. Stupid, yes- past that the less said the better.

Agree.
Usually enjoy Mel's comments. Not this one.
Mel, you are better than that, guy.

I did not introduce him into this thread.
Someone asked why STL has had such poor results in trying to develop stars from within - and included Taveras as a can't miss prospect, who did.
I merely set the record straight.
Taveras killed himself, a young woman, and orphaned a small child - driving while intoxicated at multiple times the legal limit.
That is what you should find bothersome - rather than the fact I reminded you of that sad yet uncomfortable truth.

Everyone knows what happened with Taveras. Having some tact is always appreciated.

Tact is indeed a fine thing.
But one must not sacrifice truth in the telling of facts

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 10:19 am This might be an unpopular opinion, but I'd move Rodriguez to a new position this year. It's clear that the Cardinals value defense above all behind the plate. I haven't heard anything about Raniel's defense, but I would be surprised if it's better than Bernal's defense. I think it's time for Raniel to learn a corner spot. Infield or outfield.

Yea, to me, if they truly believe he is going to be the hitter that he is being hyped up as, then I would move him off catcher soon. I get it.

Offense like that is rare at catcher, and you are tempted to keep him there, but I want him in the lineup as much as possible. A catcher nowadays is going to start, what, 120 games? You might say, well, just move him to DH on his off days, but I still think you run the risk of him tiring out early. He also takes a beating back there, so I would worry about him getting hurt.

Melville wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 10:52 am

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 09:45 am

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 22:37 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 21:17 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:11 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:02 pm

Red Bird Classic wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 18:28 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:13 pm

cardstatman wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:01 pm We have one now!
JJ Wetherholt #6 (MLB Pipeline, mid-2025)

Others in not too distant past...

Jordan Walker #4 (Baseball America, 2023)
Dylan Carlson #9 (MLB Pipeline, 2020)
Alex Reyes #2 (Baseball America, mid-2016)
Oscar Taveras #3 (Baseball America, 2013-2014)

I hope the Cards have a better incubator for their next unhatched chickens.

Why do the Cardinals have no home grown superstars? See above.

In fairness, Taveras killed himself, killed his girlfriend, and orphaned their son.
That was not STL's fault.

But he sucked before he killed himself.

There's no reason to assume Taveraz's future would have been any better than Reyes' or Walker's.

You are not wrong.
And Taveras decided to ensure that we would never know.

You're pretty careless in talking about people you don't know. Stupid, yes- past that the less said the better.

Agree.
Usually enjoy Mel's comments. Not this one.
Mel, you are better than that, guy.

I did not introduce him into this thread.
Someone asked why STL has had such poor results in trying to develop stars from within - and included Taveras as a can't miss prospect, who did.
I merely set the record straight.
Taveras killed himself, a young woman, and orphaned a small child - driving while intoxicated at multiple times the legal limit.
That is what you should find bothersome - rather than the fact I reminded you of that sad yet uncomfortable truth.

Everyone knows what happened with Taveras. Having some tact is always appreciated.

Tact is indeed a fine thing.
But one must not sacrifice truth in the telling of facts

Glad we agree.
No truth required in saying that Taveras died in a crash. Everyone knows that.

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 11:43 am

Melville wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 10:52 am

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 09:45 am

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 22:37 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 21:17 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:11 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:02 pm

Red Bird Classic wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 18:28 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:13 pm

cardstatman wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:01 pm We have one now!
JJ Wetherholt #6 (MLB Pipeline, mid-2025)

Others in not too distant past...

Jordan Walker #4 (Baseball America, 2023)
Dylan Carlson #9 (MLB Pipeline, 2020)
Alex Reyes #2 (Baseball America, mid-2016)
Oscar Taveras #3 (Baseball America, 2013-2014)

I hope the Cards have a better incubator for their next unhatched chickens.

Why do the Cardinals have no home grown superstars? See above.

In fairness, Taveras killed himself, killed his girlfriend, and orphaned their son.
That was not STL's fault.

But he sucked before he killed himself.

There's no reason to assume Taveraz's future would have been any better than Reyes' or Walker's.

You are not wrong.
And Taveras decided to ensure that we would never know.

You're pretty careless in talking about people you don't know. Stupid, yes- past that the less said the better.

Agree.
Usually enjoy Mel's comments. Not this one.
Mel, you are better than that, guy.

I did not introduce him into this thread.
Someone asked why STL has had such poor results in trying to develop stars from within - and included Taveras as a can't miss prospect, who did.
I merely set the record straight.
Taveras killed himself, a young woman, and orphaned a small child - driving while intoxicated at multiple times the legal limit.
That is what you should find bothersome - rather than the fact I reminded you of that sad yet uncomfortable truth.

Everyone knows what happened with Taveras. Having some tact is always appreciated.

Tact is indeed a fine thing.
But one must not sacrifice truth in the telling of facts

Glad we agree.
No truth required in saying that Taveras died in a crash. Everyone knows that.

There was one perpetrator and two victims in that crash.
Everyone should know that.
Again, to the topic at hand, Taveras was listed as a top talent STL failed to develop.
That was not the case.
Plenty of failures for which to blame the organization
He was not one of them

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 09:45 am

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 22:37 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 21:17 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:11 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:02 pm

Red Bird Classic wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 18:28 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:13 pm

cardstatman wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:01 pm We have one now!
JJ Wetherholt #6 (MLB Pipeline, mid-2025)

Others in not too distant past...

Jordan Walker #4 (Baseball America, 2023)
Dylan Carlson #9 (MLB Pipeline, 2020)
Alex Reyes #2 (Baseball America, mid-2016)
Oscar Taveras #3 (Baseball America, 2013-2014)

I hope the Cards have a better incubator for their next unhatched chickens.

Why do the Cardinals have no home grown superstars? See above.

In fairness, Taveras killed himself, killed his girlfriend, and orphaned their son.
That was not STL's fault.

But he sucked before he killed himself.

There's no reason to assume Taveraz's future would have been any better than Reyes' or Walker's.

You are not wrong.
And Taveras decided to ensure that we would never know.

You're pretty careless in talking about people you don't know. Stupid, yes- past that the less said the better.

Agree.
Usually enjoy Mel's comments. Not this one.
Mel, you are better than that, guy.

I did not introduce him into this thread.
Someone asked why STL has had such poor results in trying to develop stars from within - and included Taveras as a can't miss prospect, who did.
I merely set the record straight.
Taveras killed himself, a young woman, and orphaned a small child - driving while intoxicated at multiple times the legal limit.
That is what you should find bothersome - rather than the fact I reminded you of that sad yet uncomfortable truth.

Everyone knows what happened with Taveras. Having some tact is always appreciated.

It's simply a fact of what happened

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 11:23 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 10:19 am This might be an unpopular opinion, but I'd move Rodriguez to a new position this year. It's clear that the Cardinals value defense above all behind the plate. I haven't heard anything about Raniel's defense, but I would be surprised if it's better than Bernal's defense. I think it's time for Raniel to learn a corner spot. Infield or outfield.

Yea, to me, if they truly believe he is going to be the hitter that he is being hyped up as, then I would move him off catcher soon. I get it.

Offense like that is rare at catcher, and you are tempted to keep him there, but I want him in the lineup as much as possible. A catcher nowadays is going to start, what, 120 games? You might say, well, just move him to DH on his off days, but I still think you run the risk of him tiring out early. He also takes a beating back there, so I would worry about him getting hurt.

I use to get down to the stadium early and Yadi loved to take grounders at 3rd base, he had really soft hands and looked like he'd been there his entire career (albet the range may have been a problem).

I said earlier in the thread if he's not the defensive catcher the Cardinals want but has the bat, then give him a shot at 3rd base where lack of range wouldn't be as big an issue w/GG M. Winn able to cover the hole & more.

J. Torre switched to 3rd base while a Cardinal.

But first you have to keep developing him behind the plater.

A catcher who can both handle a staff and hit is GOLDEN!

mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 16:57 pm Joshua Baez also got interesting this past season.

I like him a LOT. I think he's Right fielder of the future.

Melville wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 12:01 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 11:43 am

Melville wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 10:52 am

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 09:45 am

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 22:37 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 21:17 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:11 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:02 pm

Red Bird Classic wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 18:28 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:13 pm

cardstatman wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:01 pm We have one now!
JJ Wetherholt #6 (MLB Pipeline, mid-2025)

Others in not too distant past...

Jordan Walker #4 (Baseball America, 2023)
Dylan Carlson #9 (MLB Pipeline, 2020)
Alex Reyes #2 (Baseball America, mid-2016)
Oscar Taveras #3 (Baseball America, 2013-2014)

I hope the Cards have a better incubator for their next unhatched chickens.

Why do the Cardinals have no home grown superstars? See above.

In fairness, Taveras killed himself, killed his girlfriend, and orphaned their son.
That was not STL's fault.

But he sucked before he killed himself.

There's no reason to assume Taveraz's future would have been any better than Reyes' or Walker's.

You are not wrong.
And Taveras decided to ensure that we would never know.

You're pretty careless in talking about people you don't know. Stupid, yes- past that the less said the better.

Agree.
Usually enjoy Mel's comments. Not this one.
Mel, you are better than that, guy.

I did not introduce him into this thread.
Someone asked why STL has had such poor results in trying to develop stars from within - and included Taveras as a can't miss prospect, who did.
I merely set the record straight.
Taveras killed himself, a young woman, and orphaned a small child - driving while intoxicated at multiple times the legal limit.
That is what you should find bothersome - rather than the fact I reminded you of that sad yet uncomfortable truth.

Everyone knows what happened with Taveras. Having some tact is always appreciated.

Tact is indeed a fine thing.
But one must not sacrifice truth in the telling of facts

Glad we agree.
No truth required in saying that Taveras died in a crash. Everyone knows that.

There was one perpetrator and two victims in that crash.
Everyone should know that.
Again, to the topic at hand, Taveras was listed as a top talent STL failed to develop.
That was not the case.
Plenty of failures for which to blame the organization
He was not one of them

Ok, Mel.
There was no need to bring up his girlfriend and son. Simply not relevant to the topic. Those extra facts have nothing to do with Taveras no longer being a prospect. You know that and were simply needling/poking. (And yes, I understand it's what you do.) Simply not needed.
Stick to your baseball analysis.

Melville wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 12:01 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 11:43 am

Melville wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 10:52 am

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑24 Nov 2025 09:45 am

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 22:37 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 21:17 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:11 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 19:02 pm

Red Bird Classic wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 18:28 pm

Melville wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:13 pm

cardstatman wrote: ↑23 Nov 2025 17:01 pm We have one now!
JJ Wetherholt #6 (MLB Pipeline, mid-2025)

Others in not too distant past...

Jordan Walker #4 (Baseball America, 2023)
Dylan Carlson #9 (MLB Pipeline, 2020)
Alex Reyes #2 (Baseball America, mid-2016)
Oscar Taveras #3 (Baseball America, 2013-2014)

I hope the Cards have a better incubator for their next unhatched chickens.

Why do the Cardinals have no home grown superstars? See above.

In fairness, Taveras killed himself, killed his girlfriend, and orphaned their son.
That was not STL's fault.

But he sucked before he killed himself.

There's no reason to assume Taveraz's future would have been any better than Reyes' or Walker's.

You are not wrong.
And Taveras decided to ensure that we would never know.

You're pretty careless in talking about people you don't know. Stupid, yes- past that the less said the better.

Agree.
Usually enjoy Mel's comments. Not this one.
Mel, you are better than that, guy.

I did not introduce him into this thread.
Someone asked why STL has had such poor results in trying to develop stars from within - and included Taveras as a can't miss prospect, who did.
I merely set the record straight.
Taveras killed himself, a young woman, and orphaned a small child - driving while intoxicated at multiple times the legal limit.
That is what you should find bothersome - rather than the fact I reminded you of that sad yet uncomfortable truth.

Everyone knows what happened with Taveras. Having some tact is always appreciated.

Tact is indeed a fine thing.
But one must not sacrifice truth in the telling of facts

Glad we agree.
No truth required in saying that Taveras died in a crash. Everyone knows that.

There was one perpetrator and two victims in that crash.
Everyone should know that.
Again, to the topic at hand, Taveras was listed as a top talent STL failed to develop.
That was not the case.
Plenty of failures for which to blame the organization
He was not one of them

Ok, Mel.
There was no need to bring up his girlfriend and son. Simply not relevant to the topic. Those extra facts have nothing to do with Taveras no longer being a prospect. You know that and were simply needling/poking. (And yes, I understand it's what you do.) Simply not needed.
Stick to your baseball analysis.