For two decades the St. Lous Cardinals have been a model organization, drafting, signing and developing at a rate no other franchise can match in that timeframe.
They did run into a relatively recent dry spell, however, albeit one they seem to be ending with the arrival of their No. 1 prospect on top of a strong rookie class a year ago that included Lars Nootbaar and Nolan Gorman.
Ages as of July 1, 2023
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 1 | 21 | Jordan Walker | OF | 70 |
Walker has elite power and he’ll make up for any shortcomings on defense and batting average with damage and above-average OBPs.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 2 | 21 | Masyn Winn | SS | 55 |
A two-way player in high school, Winn has a tremendous arm backed by elite athleticism, feel for the barrel, and a real shot at shortstop.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 3 | 20 | Tink Hence | RHP | 50 |
Hence may have a 70-grade fastball to set up a big-time curveball, and electric arm speed and athleticism give him a high ceiling.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 4 | 23 | Gordon Graceffo | RHP | 50 |
His best pitch is a plus slider highlighting a full assortment of big-league pitches and average or better command.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 5 | 22 | Cooper Hjerpe | LHP | 50 |
Hjerpe’s fastball-slider combo is backed by a projectable changeup and developing cutter.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 6 | 24 | Alec Burleson | OF | 50 |
Burleson’s hit tool has unlocked average power that could produce 15-20 homers and 30 doubles, but his hold on an outfield spot isn’t strong.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 7 | 23 | Matthew Liberatore | LHP | 50 |
The definition of a command-and-feel starter, Liberatore can locate four pitches, including two breaking balls and a changeup.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 8 | 23 | Ivan Herrera | C | 45 |
Herrera is a good athlete with a chance to be the next long-term backstop in St. Louis after Yadier Molina‘s 147-year career.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 9 | 24 | Moises Gómez | OF | 45 |
Power is Gómez’s calling card but he’ll have to make more contact for it to matter.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 10 | 22 | Michael McGreevy | RHP | 45 |
McGreevey has feel and polish, but isn’t without stuff, including two average or better breaking balls and a changeup that might be his best pitch.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 18 | Jonathan Mejia | SS | 45 |
| 12 | 20 | Joshua Baez | OF | 45 |
| 13 | 19 | Leonardo Bernal | C | 40 |
| 14 | 25 | Austin Love | RHP | 40 |
| 15 | 22 | Dionys Rodriguez | RHP | 40 |
| 16 | 20 | Alec Willis | RHP | 40 |
| 17 | 21 | Brycen Mautz | LHP | 40 |
| 18 | 23 | Inohan Paniagua | RHP | 40 |
| 19 | 25 | Freddy Pacheco | RHP | 40 |
| 20 | 21 | Jimmy Crooks | C | 35 |
| 21 | 24 | Guillermo Zuniga | RHP | 35 |
| 22 | 21 | Max Rajcic | RHP | 35 |
| 23 | 25 | Connor Thomas | LHP | 35 |
| 24 | 24 | Pete Hansen | LHP | 35 |
| 25 | 24 | Ryan Loutus | RHP | 35 |
| 26 | 25 | Mike Antico | OF | 35 |
| 27 | 19 | Luis Pino | OF | 35 |
| 28 | 23 | Ian Bedell | RHP | 35 |
| 29 | 27 | Jake Walsh | RHP | 35 |
| 30 | 26 | Luken Baker | 1B | 35 |
Rankings, OFPs by Joe Doyle.
Player notes by Jason A. Churchill.
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