The St. Louis Cardinals are staying in the thick of the National League Wild Card race this season. If they do miss the postseason this year, it will be just the eighth time since 2000. It also won’t be because of their homegrown talent. The Cards have gotten major contributions from players they drafted in the past seven years such as Tommy Edman, Dylan Carlson, and Jack Flaherty as well as lifelong Redbirds, Adam Wainwright (originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves) and Yadier Molina.
St. Louis has three prospects in MLB.com’s Top 100 currently. All three of them could see the majors next year. A couple of their other prospects could also move up into that select group. Let’s take a look at how the Cardinals’ top talent looks on the farm.
Make sure to check out all of our Updated Prospect Articles.
Matthew Liberatore LHP
Fastball: 55
Curveball: 60
Slider: 50
Changeup: 55
Command: 55
The former first-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays joined the Cardinals’ organization in January of 2020 in a trade that featured Randy Arozarena. After the shutdown of the minors last year, St. Louis sent Liberatore directly to Triple-A Memphis to begin 2021. Despite a 5.03 ERA, the southpaw has a solid 77/19 K/BB rate in 78.2 innings and has improved his control and delivery.
Liberatore doesn’t blow you away with overpowering stuff, but he sits in the low-90s and can hit 95 with his fastball. His changeup plays well off of his heater as he sells it with similar arm action. The lefty’s curveball has great downward movement. It sits 76-79 and also complements his fastball with the difference in velocity. If the Cardinals’ top prospect can tweak his command and continue to develop his slider, he can be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher in the big leagues soon.
ETA: 2022
Nolan Gorman 2B/3B
Hit: 50
Power: 60
Run: 45
Arm: 55
Field: 50
The power-hitting infielder was a first-round selection out of High School in 2018. Now 21 years old, Gorman has moved up this season to Triple-A Memphis. He has transitioned to playing second base more than third and has done well at the keystone defensively. At two stops in the minors, he is slashing .276/.332/.471 with 17 home runs and six stolen bases. Gorman has also kept his strikeout total down at a 23.3 percent rate without sacrificing power. With a strong finish this season, the left-handed slugger could find himself in the Cardinals infield next year.
ETA: 2022
Ivan Herrera C
Hit: 50
Power: 50
Run: 35
Arm: 60
Field: 55
The 21-year-old catcher signed out of Panama when he was just 16. He has held his own at Double-A Springfield this season. Despite a .223 batting average, Herrera has a 15.5 percent walk rate and has shown some pop with 10 homers in 76 games. Defensively, he has improved, working diligently with coaches and the veteran Molina. He gets praise for his work ethic and dedication to his craft. Herrera could be ready to take over at least part-time catching duties as early as next season although another full year of development in the minors may be what the Cardinals have in mind.
ETA: 2023
Jordan Walker 3B
Hit: 50
Power: 60
Run: 45
Arm: 55
Field: 45
The Cardinals’ first-round pick last year out of Decatur High School in Georgia has been tearing up his first season in pro ball. Between Palm Beach and Peoria, the 6-foot-5 right-hander is slashing .330/.406/.555 with eight homers and 21 doubles in 249 plate appearances. The pleasant surprise has come from his strikeout rate which sits at just 22.5 percent. There were concerns about Walker’s long swing when he was selected, but that hasn’t been an issue so far. Defensively, he plays third base well and although he is blocked right now by Nolan Arenado, the 19-year-old could man a corner outfield spot in the future.
ETA: 2024
Michael McGreevy RHP
Fastball: 60
Slider: 55
Curveball: 50
Changeup: 50
Command: 60
The Cardinals’ first-round pick from this year makes the top 5. McGreevy has an advanced feel for pitching. Combined between the shortened 2020 and this year at UC Santa Barbara, the big right-hander had a 2.51 ERA and an impressive 141/18 K/BB rate while averaging over six innings per start. With excellent control, a solid four-pitch mix, and a little refinement, McGreevy could find himself in the St. Louis rotation in a couple of years.
ETA: 2023
What Does the Future Hold?
Second-round pick Joshua Baez is in Rookie ball now. The 18-year-old has an attractive power-speed combo. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds already, the sky is the limit. The Redbirds may have gotten an absolute steal with this pick as he was projected by some to go in the first round. Two-way star Masyn Winn has been manning shortstop exclusively this season so far and has the raw talent to excel there. Still just 19, Winn’s speed has been on display. If he can hit enough, the right-hander should be with the big club in a few years.
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