Today, we’re unveiling the 10 best prospects in the Cardinals system entering 2025.
The top of the Cardinals system is headlined by JJ Wetherholt, a 2024 top 10 draft pick with the hit tool and power potential to move quickly through the lower levels and reach stardom on the big league club.
Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes is hosting a chat at 2 p.m. ET to discuss Wetherholt and the overall state of St. Louis’ farm system. Be sure to also watch a replay of this week’s Hot Sheet show for an in-depth breakdown of NL Central systems.
See the 10 best prospects in the Cardinals system, including brand new scouting reports for every player.
Below, you can find our projected Cardinals lineup for 2028, as well as a rundown of prospects with the best scouting tools in the system.
Projected 2028 Lineup
Catcher: Ivan Herrera (28)
First Base: Nolan Gorman (28)
Second Base: Thomas Saggese (26)
Third Base: JJ Wetherholt (25)
Shortstop: Masyn Winn (26)
Left Field: Alec Burleson (29)
Center Field: Victor Scott II (27)
Right Field: Brendan Donovan (31)
Designated Hitter: Jordan Walker (26)
No. 1 Starter: Quinn Mathews (27)
No. 2 Starter: Tink Hence (25)
No. 3 Starter: Andre Pallante (29)
No. 4 Starter: Cooper Hjerpe (27)
No. 5 Starter: Michael McGreevy (27)
Closer: Tekoah Roby (26)
Listed below are the prospects with the best tools within the organization. To go directly to St. Louis’ Top 10, click here.
Best Tools
Best Hitter for Average: JJ Wetherholt
Best Power Hitter: JJ Wetherholt
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: JJ Wetherholt
Fastest Baserunner: Yairo Padilla
Best Athlete: Yairo Padilla
Best Fastball: Tink Hence
Best Curveball: Tekoah Roby
Best Slider: Tink Hence
Best Changeup: Quinn Mathews
Best Control: Quinn Mathews
Best Defensive Catcher: Leonardo Bernal
Best Defensive Infielder: Yairo Padilla
Best Infield Arm: Yairo Padilla
Best Defensive Outfielder: Nathan Church
Best Outfield Arm: Nathan Church
