St. Louis Cardinals 2021 Midseason Top 50 Prospects

The Cardinals’ system has a lot of potential to develop many solid ballplayers. With a few players graduating from the minors ranks, a few new faces are entering the Top 50. Many of the players in the Cardinals system have struggled after not playing in 2020, while others have flourished and improved their stock. Where will the newly drafted players fit into this list? Who is the new #1 after Dylan Carlson graduated? This is my midseason Cardinals Top 50 prospects.

Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have high likelihood of making the majors but providing minimal impact (e.g. middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who have an outside chance of making their team’s 40 man roster

Tier 1

1. Nolan Gorman, 3B (January rank #2)
Age: 21
Current Level: AAA

Gorman was dominant in AA, earning himself a promotion to AAA where he’s continued the trend. He also started at 3B in the Futures Game going 1-2 with an RBI double.

2. Matthew Liberatore, LHP (January rank #3)
Age: 21
Current Level: AAA

Liberatore started the Futures Game and retired all 3 batters he faced – Bobby Witt Jr, Jared Kelenic, and Julio Rodriguez. He hasn’t been great in AAA this season but is still one of the best left-handers in the minors.

Tier 2

3. Ivan Herrera, C (January rank #4)
Age: 21
Current Level: AA

Herrera has been striking out more than usual in AA, but has tapped into a little more power and is easily the catcher of the future for the Cardinals.

4. Zack Thompson, LHP (January rank #5)
Age: 23
Current Level: AAA

Thompson has struggled so far in AAA, he’s still an exciting prospect, and will improve with time.

5. Jordan Walker, 3B (January rank #6)
Age: 18
Current Level: High-A

Walker has been excellent this season, has shown power and has a solid batting average.

6. Masyn Winn, SS/RHP (January rank #7)
Age: 19
Current Level: High-A

Having a decent year in terms of average and stolen bases was hoping he got a chance to pitch more but hasn’t hit the mound yet.

7. Tink Hence, RHP (January rank #10)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

Hence hasn’t pitched many innings this season so far, but has an astounding 14 strikeouts in just 7.2 innings.

8. Jhon Torres, OF (January rank #14)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A

Torres is having a mediocre year, and he does have power potential but hasn’t shown it yet.

Tier 3

9. Angel Rondon, RHP (January rank #12)
Age: 23
Current Level: AAA

Has struggled off and on in AAA, but got a little taste of the MLB, pitching in 2 innings and striking out 1.

10. Edwin Nunez, RHP (January rank #18)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A

High ERA in Low-A so far, has an elite-level fastball reaching triple digits, is still young, and will be one to watch.

11. Ian Bedell, RHP (January rank #21)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A (IL)

Bedell’s season ended after appearing in just 2 games, he went for Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of 2021, and most of 2022.

12. Malcom Nunez, 3B (January rank #13)
Age: 20
Current Level: AA

Nunez has been hitting very well the last couple of weeks, he had a 2 home run game and has had a few multi-hit games recently.

13. Luken Baker, 1B (January rank #27)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA

Baker has been raking in 2021 with 23 home runs, 61 RBI in AA, so definitely keep him on your radar.

14. Alec Burleson, OF (January rank #29)
Age: 22
Current Level: AAA

Burleson has moved through three levels in the system with a recent promotion to AAA and has been one of the better hitters this year with 18 home runs, 58 RBI, and a .293 average.

15. Michael McGreevy, RHP (January rank NR)
Age: 21
Current Level: Not assigned, drafted Round 1, 18th overall

McGreevy stands 6’4″  and throws a ton of strikes, a mid 90’s fastball, also has a slider, curve, and mixes in a changeup.

16. Juan Yepez, 1B/3B (January rank #46)
Age: 23
Current Level: AAA

Yepez started the season in AA, but with his solid play got promoted up to AAA, and has dominated to the tune of 15 home runs and 34 RBI since being promoted.

17. Tre Fletcher, OF (January rank #16)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

Fletcher has struggled off and on since getting drafted by the Cardinals, and while he’s got the stuff to be a great player, he just needs some more consistency and fewer strikeouts.

18. Joshua Baez, OF (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (FCL), drafted Round 2, 54th overall

Baez has some of the best power in the 2021 Draft, has a cannon for an arm, and could be a mainstay in right field for the Cardinals one day.

19. Andre Pallante, RHP (January rank #26)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA

Pallante has started 18 games for Springfield this season, while he hasn’t looked good at times, he’s still one of the Cardinals’ most consistent pitchers.

20. Levi Prater, LHP (January rank #24)
Age: 22
Current Level: Low-A

Having pitched 53.2 innings this season in Low-A, Prater has an ERA of almost 6.00, but an excellent 14.3 K/9.

21. Delvin Perez, SS/OF (January rank NR)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA

Perez is having a solid season in AA and he seems to be getting better and better every day, with a little more development and some added power, Perez can be a star.

Tier 4

22. Evan Mendoza, 3B (January rank #49)
Age: 25
Current Level: AAA

Mendoza doesn’t have a home run this season in AAA, which isn’t a huge surprise since he’s not known for his power, but has 12 stolen bases, more than double what he had last season between AA and AAA.

23. Brendan Donovan, 2B/3B/OF (January rank #50)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA

Donovan has been having a great season between High-A and AA, where he’s hit 6 home runs, 39 RBI, stolen 14 bases, and has a .309 average.

24. Lars Nootbaar, OF (January – unranked)
Age: 23
Current Level: MLB

Nootbaar was having a decent year in AAA and got called up to the MLB getting into 20 games and playing fairly well for his first taste of the bigs.

25. Nick Plummer, OF (January – unranked)
Age: 25
Current Level: AA

Plummer is having one of the best seasons since joining the Cardinals’ system in 2015, and he could be in line for a promotion to AAA.

26. Patrick Romeri, OF (January rank #30)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A

Romeri was hyped for his solid power but hasn’t shown it much this season only hitting 2 home runs in 177 AB.

27. Jeremy Rivas, SS (January – unranked)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

Rivas was signed by the Cardinals in the 2019-2020 international signing period. He’s having a good year in Rookie ball, not much for power, but he’s an all-around solid hitter and great defender.

28. Luis Pino, OF (January rank N/A)
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)

Pino, signed in the 2021 international signing period, is still many years away, has great upside all around, and can definitely be a stud player in the future.

29. Edgar Escobar, RHP (January rank #32)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA

Currently on the 60-day IL, Escobar pitched in 34.0 innings getting 4 saves before getting hurt.

30. Leonardo Bernal, C (January rank N/A)
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)

Signed in the 2021 MLB international signing period, Bernal hit 4 home runs, 13 RBI in 69 AB in Rookie ball.

31. Thomas Parsons, RHP (January rank #34)
Age: 25
Current Level: AAA

Parsons is having a down year in 2021 compared to the previous years, with 6.31 ERA, and 8.7 K/9 in 61.1 innings.

32. Ryan Holgate, OF (January rank N/A)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A, drafted Competitive Balance Round B, 70th overall

Holgate has some solid left-handed pop, and projects as a corner outfielder, although he doesn’t have the greatest arm, so 1B is also a potential spot.

33. Kramer Robertson, SS/2B (January rank # 41)
Age: 26
Current Level: AAA

Robertson could get an MLB call-up in the future, but he has to improve his hitting consistency.

34. Austin Warner, LHP (January – unranked)
Age: 27
Current Level: AAA

Warner has been pretty good in 2021 with a 6-2 record and 3.98 ERA, he’s older than other pitching prospects in the upper levels, and could be a nice addition to the Cardinals bullpen in the near future.

35. Justin Toerner, OF (January rank #36)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA

Toerner hasn’t been using his speed as much so far this season as he only has 3 stolen bases, and he’s also struggled at the plate striking out 65 times in 204 AB.

36. Ludwin Jimenez, RHP (January rank #44)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A

Jimenez, only 20, still has solid upside on the mound and has a at least few years to improve a 4.91 ERA, 42 BB, and a 9.2 K/9 in Low-A this season.

37. Jesus Cruz, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 26
Current Level: AAA

Cruz, having pitched only 20.1 innings in 2021, 3.54 ERA, 1 save, 9.3 K/9, could definitely fill a bullpen role soon for the Cardinals.

38. Julio Rodriguez, C (January rank #33)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA

Rodriguez broke his hamate bone in winter baseball and had surgery, was activated off the IL at the end of July, and has played minimally but is a solid defense-first catcher.

39. Ali Sanchez, C (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA

Sanchez is an excellent defensive catcher, but his offensive side is lacking. He’s played a handful of games in the MLB for both the Mets and the Cardinals but doesn’t have much fantasy value.

40. Griffin Roberts, RHP (January rank # 25)
Age: 25
Current Level: AA (IL)

Was placed on the 60 day IL at the start of June after only pitching 1.1 innings, and it was a struggle walking 6, giving up 2 hits, and a monstrous 40.50 ERA.

Tier 5

41. Leandro Cedeno, 1B (January rank #38)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

Cedeno started the season in High-A and is having an alright season, he needs to cut down the strikeouts as he has 91 in 281 AB.

42. Edgardo Rodriguez, C (January rank #28)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

Rodriguez, who came over from Tampa Bay in 2020, has struggled this season and was demoted from Low-A down to Rookie ball.

43. L.J. Jones IV, 1B/OF (January rank #42)
Age: 22
Current Level: Low-A

Jones hasn’t lived up to expectations so far this season and needs to improve at the plate before we could expect to see a promotion to AA.

44. Chandler Redmond, 1B/OF (January rank #43)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA

Redmond has 13 home runs between High-A and AA but has way too many strikeouts, 95 in 279 plate appearances.

45. Darlin Moquete, OF (January rank #45)
Age: 21
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)

Moquete has been hitting very consistently in Rookie ball, with a .351 average, has no home runs, but the power will come with development.

46. Logan Gragg, RHP (January rank #39)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

Gragg has been having a tough time this season with a 2-4 record, 5.43 ERA, and a 6.8 K/9.

47. Pedro Pages, C (January rank #40)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

Pages will have to greatly improve to have a shot at a promotion, and with the depth the Cardinals have at the catcher position, he can’t afford to falter.

48. Alex FaGalde, RHP (January rank #47)
Age: 27
Current Level: AA

Currently on 60-day IL, FaGalde was having a decent year and got promoted up to AAA, but was demoted back down in July.

49. Conner Capel, OF (January rank #48)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA

Capel had only 12 AB in AA before his promotion to AAA, his season stats won’t blow anyone away but they are fairly consistent with his previous seasons.

50. Austin Love, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 22
Current Level: Not assigned, drafted Round 3, 90th overall

Love has a mid 90’s fastball, an average slider, but his best pitch is his changeup.