The Cardinals organization has earned a reputation as one of the best at developing homegrown talent. They look to continue that trend as this year’s number one prospect will join last year’s number one, Jordan Walker, in the big leagues as the Birds on the Bat look to get back to their winning ways after a disappointing 2023 season. Will they have enough to get this team back on track? Do they have the future arms to replace an aging rotation? The fan base certainly hopes so. (@JMahyfam)
Seven Prospects1500 writers contributed to this column and rankings including Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan) and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
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 to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
Branneli Franco, RHP from Dominican Republic was just signed during the J15 international signing period. He would slot Tier 5, somewhere in the mid 40s.
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2023
Tier 1
1. Masyn Winn, SS, 21, MLB
I wouldn’t read too much into his struggles during his brief stint with the big-league club last year. His Triple-A numbers were great, a .288/.359/.474 slash with 18 home runs and 17 stolen bases are more indicative of the potential Winn possesses. He plays Gold Glove level defense, has shown a good feel to hit throughout the minors, and has 20-25 stolen base potential. If he hits for even average power, he could play shortstop at Busch Stadium for a long time. (@JMahyfam)
Tier 2
2. Victor Scott II, OF, 22, Double-A
Victor Scott is dynamic. He is an exciting toolsy outfielder with a good bat and A LOT of speed. The 5th round pick (2022) out of West Virginia was tied for the Minor League lead with 94 SB, and he added another 18 in 23 AFL games. At 5’10”, 190 lbs, the approach at the plate is more contact and liners to the gaps, but that doesn’t mean Scott can’t grow into some more power (9 HR last year). He put on a show in the 2023 Futures Game and then again in the Fall Stars Game. Don’t be surprised to see him doing more of the same in the big leagues soon. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
3. Tink Hence, RHP, 21, Double-A
St. Louis does not need to rush Markevian “Tink” Hence. Drafted out of high school in 2020, the right hander was in Rookie ball in 2021 as an 18-year-old, and then put up a brilliant 2022 in Single-A (81 Ks in 51.2 IP, 1.38 ERA) and the Arizona Fall League (8.1 IP, only 2 ER). Fast forward to this past season, Hence was excelling in High-A for the first half of the season and then ran into Double-A challenges in the second half, giving up more hits, walks and runs than he ever had in his short pro career. The now 21-year-old needs more time in AA Springfield, and he’ll get back on track. Future starter or late-inning stud reliever? Time will tell. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
4. Thomas Saggese, 2B/3B, 21, Triple-A
Recently acquired in the Jordan Montgomery trade, Saggese was excelling in Double-A for Texas, and took it to another level after the move. For the Springfield, he played about a third of the amount of games he played in Frisco (Texas Double-A), and saw increases across his whole slash line, and hit ten homers compared to the fifteen with the Rangers minors. Saggese was promptly elevated to Triple-A, where he also played around the diamond since he offers above-average defense. His bat is probably major league ready but the Cardinals will look to round out his tools before a promotion, although that could be at some point this year. (@aj_greene1015)
5. Chase Davis, OF, 22, Single-A
Davis had a real argument for the prettiest swing in the 2023 draft. The combination of violence with grace and a smooth finish really does make him a must watch. The problem is he too often applies that swing to balls he should not, resulting in a very high chase rate. This continued in pro ball, hitting just .212 while striking out once a game in 34 pro games, but he did manage to draw 23 walks. While he has yet to tally his first home run as a pro, there is plenty of power in the bat and it can flash as a plus tool. He also has a plus arm and saw time at all three outfield spots while in college and could very well develop into an above average right fielder as a pro. (@ShaunKernahan)
Tier 3
6. Tekoah Roby, RHP, 22, Double-A
Roby (along with Saggese) came over from the Texas organization in the Jordan Montgomery trade last season. In his four starts after the trade, he posted a 19/3 K/BB ratio with opposing batters posting a measly .146 average against him. There are the makings of a solid mid-rotation arm here. He is athletic, has a mid-90’s fastball with good spin, knee buckling 12-6 curve, sweeping slider, and a developing changeup. His dynasty league stock is rising fast. (@JMahyfam)
7. Cooper Hjerpe, LHP, 22, High-A
I was very high on Hjerpe coming out of Oregon State, but 2023 was a tough year for the lefty. He battled injuries, decreased velocity, and poor control yet still limited Single-A hitters to a .183 average against while striking out 51 in 41 innings. He had surgery to remove a loose body from his left elbow but should be ready to go in 2024. The organization hopes that his injury concerns are behind and that he can get back on track. The elite strikeout potential he possesses could be an asset even if that comes out of the bullpen. (@JMahyfam)
8. Gordon Graceffo, RHP, 23, Triple-A
Having never pitched above Double-A, there were relatively high expectations for Graceffo in 2023 to potentially make the majors. While he didn’t perform terribly, the overall numbers were down from his two years prior. His velocities are still up, with the fastball a hair away from triple digits and a mid to high 80s slider that remains his best pitch. Graceffo has always been praised for his control and ability to command the zone, and he continued that to an extent last year only allowing 45 walks. However, questions were raised since the total was seventeen more walks in 54 less innings than 2022. If Graceffo is able to strike out more batters this season, his development can quickly get back on track. (@aj_greene1015)
9. Won-Bin Cho, OF, 20, Single-A
In his first full season as a professional, Cho showed a lot of promise. In 378 at-bats, he slashed .270/.376/.389 with 26 extra base hits and 32 stolen bases. He has yet to fully tap into his plus raw power and if he does his profile will look even more enticing. He is one to watch in 2024. (@JMahyfam)
10. Sem Robberse, RHP, 22, Triple-A
Robberse was acquired in another trade deadline deal, this one with the Blue Jays (along with Adam Kloffenstein) in exchange for Jordan Hicks. He doesn’t throw hard but has good enough secondaries to keep hitters off balance. He is currently striking out a batter an inning, but I would expect to see that rate drop against major league hitters. He profiles as an innings eating back of the rotation starter that could see the big leagues this year. (@JMahyfam)
Tier 4
11. Leonardo Bernal, C, 19, Single-A
12. Michael McGreevy, RHP, 23, Triple-A
13. Max Rajcic, RHP, 22, High-A
14. Iván Herrera, C, 23, MLB
15. César Prieto, 2B/3B/SS, 24, Triple-A
16. Jimmy Crooks III, C, 22, Triple-A
17. Drew Rom, LHP, 24, MLB
18. Travis Honeyman, OF, 22, College
19. Adam Kloffenstein, RHP, 23, Triple-A
20. Luken Baker, 1B, 26, MLB
21. Jonathan Mejia, SS, 18, Single-A
22. Ian Bedell, RHP, 24, High-A
23. Zack Showalter, RHP, 19, Single-A
24. Brycen Mautz, LHP, 22, Single-A
25. Moises Gomez, OF, 25, Triple-A
26. Joshua Baez, OF, 20, Single-A
Bernal is potentially a plus defender behind the plate and displays an advanced approach at the plate for his age against older competition. Rajcic looked solid last year and has the makings of a mid-rotation starter in the future. Herrera has had a few opportunities in the majors, but will need to start hitting and getting on base at a more consistent clip to accompany his improved defensive ability. Crooks has the looks of a backup catcher if he can keep his offense going. Rom has struggled on the mound the last few years. Kloffenstein has to continue working on his command to make the majors as a starter. Baker doesn’t have a position with the major league team and could be moved to another team which would help him. Mejia can flat out hit and if power comes as he matures, look out. Keep your eye on this one in this tier. Bedell looked good in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2021 and could be a mid-rotation starter if all goes well. Showalter, similar to Kloffenstein, has to work on his command if he’s going to be a starter in the majors. Mautz is a potential backend starter that needs to refine his command. Gomez has massive power but struggles with contact. Could be a bench bat if given the chance in the majors. Baez has power and a below-average hit tool which may prevent him from making the major leagues.
Tier 5
27. Pete Hansen, LHP, 23, Triple-A
28. Quinn Mathews, LHP, 23, College
29. Noah Mendlinger, OF/3B, 23, Double-A
30. Pedro Pagés, C, 25, Double-A
31. Inohan Paniagua, RHP, 23, High-A
32. Mike Antico, OF, 25, Double-A
33. Andre Granillo, RHP, 23, Triple-A
34. Michael Siani, OF, 24, MLB
35. Edwin Nunez, RHP, 22, High-A
36. Chandler Redmond, 1B, 27, Double-A
37. Ryan Fernandez, RHP, 25, Triple-A
38. Alec Willis, RHP, 20, Rookie (FCL)
39. Sammy Hernandez, C, 19, Single-A
40. Zach Levenson, OF, 21, Single-A
41. Michael Curialle, 3B, 22, Single-A
42. Chen-Wei Lin, RHP, 22, Single-A
43. Nick Robertson, RHP, 25, MLB
44. Jose Cordoba, OF, 21, Single-A
45. Gustavo Rodriguez, RHP, 23, High-A
46. Alex Iadisernia, OF, 23, High-A
47. Lizandro Espinoza, SS/2B, 21, Single-A
48. Ixan Henderson, LHP, 21, Single-A
49. Matt Koperniak, OF, Triple-A
50. Leonel Sequera, RHP, 18, Rookie (FCL)
Hansen depends more on deception than velocity on the mound. Mendlinger is a utility/bench type of player. Pagés puts up some nice overall numbers in average and power but is blocked by others ahead of him. If he or another catcher is moved, he could succeed with the opportunity. Paniagua has the potential to be a backend starter. Antico has great speed and average power and, at 25 years old, could be ready for a chance as a bench player. Siani has very good speed but doesn’t offer much else at the plate. Fernandez was selected in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft, and after 42 bullpen appearances in 2023 the power throwing right hander has a shot to make Cardinals bullpen this season. Levenson has potential to be a solid outfielder if he continues the success he had in 2023. Willis has pitched only 12.1 innings the last two years because of injury but has the tools to move up quickly. Iadisernia has some power and speed but has to develop his hit-tool more.
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Adam Greene is a Sport Management and Marketing double major at UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. His main focus is sport marketing, where he's already had internships with the local Westfield Starfires and Springfield Thunderbirds. He now writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life. When Covid hit, he started paying a lot more attention to the Red Sox minor league teams, and now, follows them almost as much as the big league squad. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing in real life. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra
Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.
Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan.
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Shaun Kernahanhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/skernahan1500/
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Shaun Kernahanhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/skernahan1500/
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Shaun Kernahanhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/skernahan1500/
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Shaun Kernahanhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/skernahan1500/
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