Team Outlook
The Cardinals have not made a significant trade or signing this offseason, and the fans are growing restless about their path. The Cardinals farm system is in a remarkable spot. Headlined by their 2024 first-rounder JJ Wetherholt, who is showing off some serious power in Spring Training and is one of the best hitters in all of the minor leagues thanks to his optimized contact profile, where he hits the ball hard to all fields. After the former West Virginia hitter, two 55 OFP pitchers could be in line to graduate from prospect status this year as breakout pitchers in all the minor leagues: southpaw Quinn Mathews and right-handed Tink. Both look to factor in as rotation stalwarts for the next competitive Cardinals squad. There has been a lot of buzz around Yairo Padilla, who is looking to make his state-side debut at some point in 2025 and could become a sneaky back-end of the top 100 type prospect. With a new man in charge of Chaim Bloom, Bloom will look to make the Cardinals organization as strong as the Red Sox system he left behind when he was unceremoniously let go.
About Our Top 20 Lists
Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.
We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.
In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.
Evaluators: Rhys White, Matt Thompson , Alex Kempton, Tyler Paddor, Grant Carver, Trevor Hooth, Nate Rasmussen
Find all the Top 20 Lists here:
Rhys White
Top 20 Prospects
1. JJ Wetherholt, SS - 55 OFP
2. Quinn Mathews, LHP - 55 OFP
3. Tink Hence, RHP - 55 OFP
4. Jimmy Crooks, C - 50 OFP
5. Yairo Padilla, SS - 50 OFP
6. Tekoah Roby - 50 OFP
7. Thomas Saggese, 2B - 45 OFP
8. Cooper Hjerpe, LHP - 45 OFP
9. Chase Davis, OF - 45 OFP
10. Michael McGreevy, RHP - 45 OFP
11. Rainel Rodriguez, C- 45 OFP
12. Chen-Wei Lin, RHP - 45 OFP
13. Brian Holliday, RHP - 45 OFP
14. Leonardo Bernal, C - 45 OFP
15. Gordon Graceffo, RHP - 45 OFP
16. Ixan Henderson, LHP - 45 OFP
17. Nathan Church, OF - 45 OFP
18. Matt Koperniak, OF - 40 OFP
19. Sem Robberse, RHP - 40 OFP
20. Branneli Franco - 40 OFP
Scouting Reports
SS JJ Wetherholt
DOB: 09/10/2002 (22)
HT: 5’10”
WT: 190
H/T: L/R
Acquired: 2024 June Amateur Draft - Round: 1, Pick: 7 ($6,900,000)
Highest Level: Low-A
ETA: 2026
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: 2027
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
JJ Wetherholt projects to have a lengthy big-league career as an above-average offensive second baseman. Wetherholt has a loose, open stance; his hands start at his shoulders and work their way up to head level in his simple load. He has a noticeable leg kick and stride that helps him time up pitchers. Wetherholt consistently produces competitive at-bats that come from his solid approach and good plate discipline, a testament to his advanced pitch recognition ability. He has a level swing that keeps his bat in the zone for a long time and has shown the ability to manipulate his bat path with good bat-to-ball skills, leading to few strikeouts. Wetherholt’s range is limited, and he will most likely not stick at shortstop due to his relatively below-average lateral quickness and average arm. Some of that is likely to be blamed on the hamstring injuries he suffered last year. Despite not being able to stick at shortstop, Wetherholt will undoubtedly have a spot in a big league lineup as a second baseman primarily because of his bat, but his smooth hands and solid instincts will allow him to be effective at the position; he probably won’t be a gold glover but he will get the job done at second and will be a consistent starter thanks to his aforementioned bat. It will be crucial for Wetherholt to maintain his hitting tools as he advances through the minor leagues. He will have to be cautious about protecting his hamstrings throughout the entirety of his career, given his prior injury history with them. Still, if he can do both of these, he will be an above-average big-league second baseman sooner rather than later. - Alex Kempton
FANTASY SPIN
Wetherholt has a chance to be this year’s Matt Shaw. He came into the draft with more hype than Shaw did last year, but he has a similar build and a similar profile; good at everything, not necessarily great at anything, but the whole could be greater than the sum of its parts. His advanced hit tool and pitch/zone recognition help his raw power play up, and while a hamstring string slowed him down in 2024 (literally and figuratively) a healthy Wetherholt has displayed above-average or better speed as well. He’s a top-25 prospect overall who could rise quickly in the Cardinals system and should be a lock as a top four or five pick in your First Year Player Drafts. - Kyle Sonntag
LHP Quinn Mathews
DOB: 10/4/2000 (24)
HT: 6’5’
WT: 188
H/T: L/L
Acquired: 2023 Amateur Draft, Round: 4, Pick: 122; ($600,000)
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: 2026
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
Mathews may have raised his profile more than any other pitcher in minor league baseball in 2024 as he surged from Single-A to Triple-A, making 26 starts and posting a cumulative 2.76 ERA with 202 total strikeouts in 143 ⅓ innings. Because of that performance, Mathews was the 2024 Prospects Live Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The former Stanford Cardinal has a tall, lean frame, and he attacks hitters from a low ¾ arm slot from a drop-and-drive setup. He’s added some velocity in pro ball and also around 20 pounds of muscle to the frame. He now sits 94-95 with above-average carry, making the fastball a plus pitch. His changeup is a plus, offering tunnels off of the fastball, which he uses in and out of the zone for strikes and whiffs. His slider is also an above-average pitch, albeit with inconsistent shape. He has a starter’s arsenal and made significant command improvements last year while displaying durability and the ability to work deep into games consistently. Mathews checks all the boxes and gets enough whiffs to headline a rotation potentially. He’s in a position to make his debut in 2025 but will start the season in Triple-A. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
The minor league strikeout leader, Mathews, dominated his way across three levels of the minors last season before finally hitting a wall at Triple-A. However, that was likely more indicative of bad luck (.405 BABIP) and adjusting to the different strike zone (17.7% walk rate) than any long-term skill issue. The Cardinals have professed a desire to play their youngsters in a rare rebuilding year, and it is hard to see the likes of Miles Mikolas, Andre Pallante, and Steven Matz hold him back for long. Expect Mathews to make his debut in the first half of 2025, and when he does, he will be one of the most impactful pitchers to do so. Innings won’t be much of a concern either, with Mathews having banked 143.1 last season. - Taylor Corso
RHP Tink Hence
DOB: 8/6/2002 (22)
HT: 6-1
WT: 195
H/T: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Amateur Draft- Comp Balance Round B, 63rd overall ($1,150,000)
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2025
Rule V: On 40-man
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
The Cardinals signed Hence away from an Arkansas commitment as part of their strong 2020 draft. The undersized right-hander is certainly smaller and less physical than his listed height and weight, and he has dealt with some health issues for most of his pro career, eclipsing the 90-inning threshold just once. In 2024 alone, he missed time with chest and shoulder tightness and left his final appearance of the year with a lat issue. It was impressive stuff and command while he was healthy, and the Cardinals added him to the 40-man roster following the season. Hence sits 93-95 on his fastball and gets above-average ride on the pitch. His fastball command is plus, and the rest of his arsenal is just as impressive. His best secondary is his changeup, a slower offering with good fade away from left-handers. There’s significant separation off of his fastball with the changeup sitting 82-84. His gyro slider is 83-87, and it's an above-average pitch. It has replaced his average curveball as his most used breaking ball. He has the type of arsenal where he can be successful against right-handers and left-handers, primarily pairing a different breaking ball with his fastball and change. Hence’s stuff and command comes without question but it all comes down to durability for the young right-hander. He should make his big league debut sometime in 2025 as long as he remains healthy and this is the type of stuff you potentially build a rotation around. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
Hence has seen his value fluctuate as the injuries keep popping up, but if you’ve ever seen him pitch, you know this is an asset you want to take a chance on. 2025 feels like a big year for Hence if he can stay on the mound. The Cardinals might not be ready to call him up just yet, but he’s on the verge. If the owner in your league is wavering at the thought of carrying a health-risk arm, then now is the time to jump in. When he’s on the mound, he’s dominant. 34% K rate last year in Double-A with an 8% BB rate. -Tom Gates
C Jimmy Crooks
DOB: 7/19/2001 (23)
HT: 6’0”
WT: 230
H/T: L/R
Acquired: 2022 Amateur Draft - Round: 4, Pick:127 ($470,300)
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2026
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: 2025
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
The former Oklahoma Sooner has done nothing but hit since the Cardinals drafted him in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. He broke out in 2024, hitting .321/.410/.498 in Double-A Springfield and winning the Cardinals organization's offensive player of the year and also the MVP of the Texas League. Crooks is a well-built, sturdy backstop with a nice all-around game. Offensively, he’s always made good swing decisions and paired that with solid bat-to-ball skills, laying an excellent offensive foundation. He’s shown just average power with unimpressive exit velocity numbers, and his swing is tailored more to making contact than it is to hitting for power. He struggles to drive the ball against left-handed pitching and will need to improve against southpaws or risk limited playing time there. There is no speed to think of here, but he moves around well behind the plate. He’s not the greatest thrower and needs to polish that aspect of his game, but he does receive the ball well. He caught a lot of Mathews and Hence the last two seasons, and its obvious they have a strong relationship and work well together. He will join both of them in Triple-A to begin 2025, and he will challenge Ivan Herrera for the everyday catching job soon enough. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
By hook or by crook, Jimmy Crooks is going to make it to the major leagues due to his above-average defense. Originally thought of as more of a backup catcher, Crook’s offense took a leap forward last season, and he’s now legitimately in the conversation as a potential starting backstop for the Cardinals. Think to yourself, what if Alejandro Kirk could field his position well. - Ryan Epperson
SS Yairo Padilla
DOB: 6/28/2007 (17)
HT: 6’0”
WT: 170
H/T: S/R
Acquired: 2024 IFA
Highest Level: DSL
ETA: 2029
Rule V: 2028
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
The Cardinals signed Yairo Padilla for $760,000 in their 2024 international class. He’s a high-waisted, lean, and projectable athlete who has drawn some praise for how he handles himself on both sides of the ball. He projects as a plus defender at shortstop, and it appears he will stick at the position long term, with the hands, arm, range and glovework to excel. Padilla made his Dominican Summer League debut as a 16-year-old, and hit .287/.391/.404. He was excellent against right-handers, but the switch-hitter struggled when he faced left-handed pitching, failing to record an extra-base hit. He controlled the zone very well, showing advanced swing decisions and above-average bat-to-ball, and he has the frame to put on good weight and add power. He’s also a plus runner. The Cardinals haven’t had a DSL bat with this much upside in a long time, and the organization is excited about Padilla’s future. He looks like a future everyday big league shortstop, which is high praise for a kid who doesn’t even turn 18 until June. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
Padilla is the rare prospect whose stock and hype increased dramatically during the offseason despite not appearing in a game since early August. This is partially due to more scouts and analysts having time to dig into DSL performances but also due to reports that DSL scouts are incredibly high on Padilla. This has persisted with glowing reports from Cardinals offseason workouts, including reports that Padilla has grown significantly and is now closer to 6’4”. Combine these reports with lofty comps being thrown out to players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Elly De La Cruz, and it is easy to see why people are excited. Just exercise appropriate caution. If you can grab Padilla in the mid to late rounds of an FYPD or off the waiver wire then you should do so in leagues of 150+ prospects, but trading for him right now will likely lead to an overpay. - Taylor Corso
RHP Tekoah Roby
DOB: 09/18/01
HT: 6-1
WT: 185
H/T: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Draft, Round: 3 ($775,000)
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2025
Rule V: 40-Man
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
Not much has changed about Tekoah Roby from this time last year. But the injuries are starting to pile up, and that murkies everything with him. Luckily, he is on the 40-man roster, and the Cardinals are looking to go through a rebuild of sorts, which entails a youth movement. Roby is a sturdily built prospect who is an above-average athlete given his size. He gets plenty of extension on his pitches, which also allows his pitches to play up. He has a good fastball with good shape that enables it to play up despite his above-average velocity. Everything interacts well with the fastball; the curveball and changeup are ahead of the slider and they both are above-average offerings. The curveball is a weapon for him late in counts when he spots it in the lower half of the strike zone, and it has hard downward bite. He was added to the 40-man roster this winter and, with a healthy season could make an impact with the big club. The Cardinlas could slot him into their bullpen if he has a strong camp. - Rhys White
FANTASY SPIN
Roby had major long-ball issues in 2024, serving up 10 in only 38 innings. Combined with his recent inability to stay healthy, he has dropped in most rankings. He’s very talented and has a starter arsenal, but is trending the wrong way. He needs to stay on the mound and start bringing that strikeout rate back up to when he was with Texas (10.83 K/9 in 2023). Like all pitchers, he carries risk. He should be owned in most leagues with 250 or more prospects. -Tom Gates
INF Thomas Saggese
DOB: 4/10/2002 (22)
HT: 5’11”
WT: 185
H/T: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Amateur Draft - Round: 5, Pick:145 ($800,000)
Highest Level: MLB
ETA: 2024
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: On 40-Man
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
Saggese has been a productive hitter since getting drafted by the Rangers in the fifth round of the COVID-shortened 2020 draft. His real breakout came in 2023 when he hit .306/.374/.530, mostly between Double-A and Triple-A with the Rangers and Cardinals after coming over in a midseason trade. Saggese slowed down a bit in Triple-A in 2023 after a late-season promotion, and those struggles followed him to start 2024 as well. He was expanding the zone but corrected things a bit as the calendar flipped to summer. He returned to his productive self and hit his way into a big league cup of coffee to end 2024. Saggese isn’t a guy that will wow you with big exit velocities, instead, he has a knack for finding the barrel and lifting the ball to the pull side. His bat and barrel control are impressive, and he consistently makes hard contact. His biggest flaw offensively is his approach. He’s aggressive and will expand the zone too much at times. As he looks to unlock his power upside, becoming more selective is the key for Saggese. Busch Stadium is a challenging ballpark for right-handed power, but in a more neutral park, I think he can be a perennial 25-homer bat. Defensively, Saggese profiles best at second base since he lacks range and a plus arm. He did play quite a bit of shortstop at Triple-A Memphis, but he’s stretched there, and it was more of an organizational need than a realistic outcome. Saggese will be up and down in 2025 as he looks to hit his way to a big-league job. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
The Cardinals are in a transition period where they are moving some of their veterans to free up salary and give younger players opportunities. Saggese has a shot to be one of the players who will break into the Cards lineup due to his versatility and intriguing offensive profile. It typically takes years to learn how to optimize batted balls, but Saggese already has a good grasp of this skill. Because he doesn’t hit the ball particularly hard, he has learned to pull fly balls (81st percentile in Triple-A) and hit them at proper angles (71st percentile Sweet Spot%). Saggese is overly aggressive (37.0% chase rate) at the plate, leading to undesirable strikeout rates and lower batting averages and on-base percentages. Saggese understands his strengths and does a great job getting the most out of his skills. He should be a utility-type bat for the Cardinals in 2025. - Greg Hoogkamp
LHP Cooper Hjerpe
DOB: 3/16/2001 (24)
HT: 6-3
WT: 200
H/T: L/L
Acquired: 2022 Amateur Draft, Round 1, 22nd overall ($3,182,200)
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2025
Rule V: 2025
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
Hjerpe was the best pitcher in college baseball during his junior season at Oregon State in 2022, leading the nation in strikeouts, striking out 161 hitters over 103 ⅓ innings, and pitching to a 2.53 ERA en route to winning the National Pitcher of the Year award. The Cardinals took him with the 22nd overall pick. He has an unorthodox delivery and pitching style, a slingshot-type action with his arm coiled close to his body. Upon release, he creates an arm lag that hides his wrist behind his arm before driving down the mound, creating great deception. Hjerpe’s hip flexibility is prominent, allowing him to create significant hip and shoulder separation before transferring his energy toward the plate. He gets tremendous extension and has a low release point due to that extension and his sidearm slot. The raw stuff plays up due to the tough angle he gives hitters. The four-seamer sits 90-92 and touches 94, but it’s a unicorn pitch due to its flat approach angle and the extension he generates. His cutter has become his most used secondary offering, coming in at 85-87 and generating weak contact more than missing bats. His changeup is his primary put-away pitch against right-handers, and he can fill the zone with these three offerings. His curveball is his fourth pitch, and it’s more of a sweeper due to the movement profile, but it comes in at 76-79. Hjerpe has dealt with some injuries in the last two seasons. He missed time in 2023 due to loose bodies in his elbow but began 2024 healthy and in the rotation in High-A. He was bumped up to Double-A and made just four starts before leaving a start in July with an elbow injury that would cost him the rest of the season. These healthy issues, plus some inconsistent command, could end up pushing Hjerpe into a long-reliever-type role, but we still have him as a potential mid-rotation starter. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
According to Hjerpe, it was just inflammation, and he was able to build up and continue throwing on the side after his arm felt better. When he is on the mound, he is dominant (22% K-BB%), but Hjerpe leaving with arm injuries is now becoming a common occurrence. He’s still a hold in fantasy or even a buy for those who like to live on the edge. I like to live on the edge but have been burned many times. -Tom Gates
OF Chase Davis
DOB: 12/05/2001
HT: 6-1
WT: 216
H/T: L/L
Acquired: MLB Draft, 2023 Round 1 ($3,618,200)
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2027
Rule V: 2026
Grades
SCOUTING REPORT
Davis starts open with his hands high before a leg kick load mechanism. He has a long swing that generates some good power. His good strike zone knowledge allows him to draw some walks and pick the right pitches to swing at. Still, swing and miss are present in his profile. He’s shown enough improvement in that area to believe he can hit enough to be successful. Davis looks to capitalize on his power by lifting the ball whenever possible. However, he can get very pull-happy trying to sell out for the power. He’s an average runner with a good arm capable of handling a corner, though he’s primarily played center as a pro. When all is said and done, he may be able to reach double-digit steals, but he’ll have to attempt more. The tools Davis has to give him a big ceiling, driven by his ability to hit the ball hard. He profiles as a power-over-hit corner outfielder who can play every day. - Trevor Hooth
FANTASY SPIN
Davis should be more valuable in OBP leagues, as he’s willing to take a walk and shows solid knowledge of the strike zone. He’s trending more as a fourth outfield type, and like Trevor said there won’t be a lot of speed attached to Chase, but the power is real and could be valuable if things click but he may be more of a deep league player. - Ryan Epperson
RHP Michael McGreevy
DOB: 7/8/2000 (24)
HT: 6-4
WT: 215
H/T: L/R
Acquired: 2021 Draft, Round 1, 18th overall ($2,750,000)
Highest Level: MLB
ETA: 2024
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: On 40-Man
Grades:
The Cardinals selected McGreevy in the first round of the 2021 draft out of UC Santa Barbara. He pitched out of the bullpen for his first season before finishing his collegiate career with two seasons in the rotation. McGreevy has an up-tempo, fast-paced delivery with a small step back and long arm action before delivering the pitch. He throws from a ¾ arm slot. He repeats his delivery very well and can pound the zone with his deep arsenal and land any pitch in the zone for a strike. He sits 91-93 with the fastball and throws the sinker about twice as much as the four-seamer. The sinker sits closer to 91-92, and the four-seamer averaged 93 in his small big-league sample. His kitchen sink arsenal plays off of the fastball. Everything tunnels well, and he’s very good at sequencing. His best secondary pitch is his sweeping slider, but he also has a gyro variation and a cutter. He will also throw a changeup and a curveball. His most impressive trait is his durability. He had thrown over 140 innings for three seasons in a row and over 150 innings for the last two seasons. McGreevy came up and made his big league debut last year on July 31st and pitched well over a total of 23 big league innings. He is ready for a spot in the rotation and profiles as a backend starter. It’s a command and pitchability profile over stuff, which limits the upside. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
McGreevy is a durable, command-first starter with a deep arsenal and a big-league approach. The righty’s four-seamer sets up a plus sweeper and tunnels well with four more offerings he consistently lands in the zone. He will never contend for strikeout crowns, but the 24-year-old debuted in 2024 and is poised to claim a long-term role in St. Louis this season, making him a steady, if unremarkable, fantasy asset. – Drew Wheeler
C Rainiel Rodriguez
DOB: 1/4/2007 (18)
HT: 5’10”
WT: 197
H/T: R/R
Acquired: IFA in 2024 ($300,000)
Highest Level: DSL
ETA: 2029
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: 2028
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
Padilla was the more highly touted DSL player among the people I talked to, but Rodriguez is the better present-day hitter. Rodriguez was born in the Dominican Republic but spent some time stateside in high school before moving back to the Dominican Republic before signing. Rodriguez hit right out of the gate and finished with a .345/.462/.683 slash line with more walks than strikeouts and 25 extra-base hits in 41 games, including ten homers. He ended with a 186 wRC+ and strong exit velocity numbers. He can impact the baseball to all fields but also shows a knack for lifting to the pull side, which is how you get the most out of your power. He’s already advanced physically, with a strong, sturdy frame throughout. He seems likely to move out from behind the plate and to first base, but that hasn’t happened yet. He moves solid enough behind the plate, but the arm strength is the more concerning issue now. Rodriguez was one of the more productive hitters in all of the minor leagues on a per-game basis, and he should make his highly anticipated stateside debut in 2025. This is an exciting bat. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
Rodriguez showed almost everything you can ask for in the DSL. He hit for average and power while displaying a strong approach, though there are some question marks regarding the approach as he faces stronger competition since there were inklings of trouble against non-fastballs. The speed is already well below average and doesn’t project to improve. He’s also likely to move out from behind the dish and his lack of speed/athleticism means he’ll likely be relegated to 1B, but if he continues to hit like he did in his first full season of pro ball his bat will be more than enough to carry the profile. He’s a top 300 prospect who could rise significantly in 2025 if he continues to show the same level of power and contact ability. - Kyle Sonntag
RHP Chen-Wei Lin
DOB: 11/22/2001
HT: 6’7”
WT: 188
H/T: R/R
Acquired: 2023 International Free Agency Cycle
Highest Level: Single A
ETA: 2026
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: 2026
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
Chen Wei Lin has the potential to be an effective starter in the backend of a rotation thanks to his explosive four-seam fastball and deceptive change; to reach his full potential, he must begin to find more consistent command of said pitches or he may be forced into a late-inning bullpen role. Lin has a long, skinny frame with very long arms and legs, and he is a towering presence on the mound; his long limbs play up his already explosive fastball, which gets on hitters quickly thanks to his above-average extension. He flashes a very deceptive change that at times has serious arm side run, but he hasn’t found consistency in the pitch to date, with it sometimes having devastating arm side run while at other times it just slightly flutters in the zone. His slider is still a work in progress. It has moderate bite at the plate but could certainly lags compared to his fastball and changeup. Lin has pretty easy arm action; he does a pretty good job of controlling his body despite his lanky frame, but his delivery can look rushed at times, possibly attributing to his current lack of command. Lin must improve his command of his entire repertoire, with the assumption that he can and will. He has the potential to be an effective 4th or 5th guy in a rotation, but if he can’t, he’ll most likely be a second-division closer or a first division setup man in the future who is carried by the quality of his fastball and change. - Alex Kempton
FANTASY SPIN
It was surprising to see Lin spend the whole season as a 22-year-old at Single-A, but it may have something to do with his unique circumstances. As a July 2023 international signing out of Taiwan, Lin may have experienced more of a cultural adjustment coming to the US than many other players and may have impacted the Cardinals’ decision to keep him at a single level all season. Under these circumstances, it will be interesting to see how quickly the Cardinals move him next season. Until he can compete against more advanced hitters, it's difficult to evaluate Lin’s statistical performance but the ingredients are here for an impactful fantasy starter, particularly if he can add some weight and develop a better breaking pitch. The dynasty price is very cheap, so now is the time to invest in leagues of 250+ prospects. - Taylor Corso
RHP Brian Holiday
DOB: 5/29/2003
HT: 5-11
WT: 205
H/T: R/R
Acquired: 2024 Draft, Round 3 ($800,000)
Highest Level: NCAA
ETA: 2027
Rule V: 2027
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
Holiday is not traditionally imposing on the mound with a sub 6-foot frame, but he has the build of a pitbull and is loaded with clean muscle mass throughout his body. Holiday starts his delivery with a high leg kick before getting extremely deep into his legs. Holiday drops his arm straight down with a bit of an unusual but short arm circle. With how low Holiday gets the ball before starting his arm action, he hides the ball and makes for an uncomfortable at bat. Holiday has no issues repeating his delivery and it looks clean in live speed, though with how deep he loads into his legs, there may be questions about staying balanced. Holiday features a lively fastball with a fair amount of carry from a lower launch point. Aside from average carry and the release point, it lacks standout characteristics, topping at 95, but with Holiday’s deceptive delivery, it should be an average pro pitch. The moneymaker here is an easily above-average slider with varying shape; it can be a heavy two-plane pitch to draw chase swings or a tighter and harder pitch--up to 85--to draw weak contact or whiffs near the zone. Holiday features a sharp 1-7 curveball with nearly 70 inches of drop and an extremely steep shape that reaps groundballs and weak contact. Finally, there’s the makings of a changeup here as Holiday has flashed heavy run on the pitch, and establishing that arm-side moving pitch could be essential for Holiday to stay on top of left-handed bats. The pitchability of Holiday is impressive and he has demonstrated plus strike throwing ability and quality command. The lack of power in a starting role may eventually push Holiday into a relief role, but for now he has the makings of a backend starter. - Tyler Paddor
FANTASY SPIN
St. Louis chose collegiate mercenary Holiday in the third round based on his strong command and deception. Holiday’s deceptive delivery boosts a lively fastball, but the jewel of his arsenal is a versatile slider, which, depending on the shape, can either miss bats or induce weak contact. If Holiday can polish another of his two offerings, he could improve upon his solid bullpen floor to a mid-rotation ceiling. – Drew Wheeler
C Leonardo Bernal
DOB: 2/13/2004
HT: 6’0
WT: 245
H/T: S/R
Acquired: 2021 International FA
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2026
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: 2025
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
Bernal is a big, physical catcher who uses his above-average hit tool to make a name for himself. He has an aggressive approach on balls inside the zone and has the bat-to-ball skills to connect while spraying the ball all over the field. The plate discipline is also there, and he does not chase much. A larger-bodied, switch-hitting catcher who is this contact-oriented is not a super common thing, but it makes him an intriguing prospect. The ceiling at the plate is a bit limited due to the lack of game power until now, and even though he is just now approaching 21 years old, you would think he would’ve made strides in that department already. Still, he has a solid floor as a hitter, and a league-average bat at the catcher position would get the job done. Behind the plate, he draws solid reviews, as he should be a good enough receiver to stick there, and he also has an above-average arm that he uses to his benefit. His whole profile relies on him sticking behind the plate, so while he may not be the best defensive backstop, he should be good enough to play there consistently. His size and lack of foot speed will prevent him from bringing value on the bases, but that’s not a value that should be relied upon from a catcher. The combination of approach hit tool, and defense should give Bernal a safer floor as a backup catcher at the minimum. 2025 is a big season for him, and he will get his biggest taste of the upper minors to date, so keep an eye on how he does this upcoming season. - Grant Carver
FANTASY SPIN
Bernal projects as an average all-around catcher if he can continue to hit for just enough power. Even if the power wanes, his discipline and contact ability, paired with his defensive ability, give him a relatively safe floor as a catcher who could play every day in the right situation. The Cardinals have a number of young catchers ahead of him on the depth chart though, many of whom are more offensively inclined while maybe not bringing the same defensive skill, so while there is a path to playing time for Bernal it could be an uphill battle to regular ABs without moves being made. - Kyle Sonntag
RHP Gordon Graceffo
DOB: 3/17/2000 (25)
HT: 6-4
WT: 220
H/T: R/R
Acquired: 2021 Amateur Draft- Round 5, 151st overall
Highest Level: MLB
ETA: 2024
Rule V: On 40-man
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
The Cardinals drafted Graceffo out of the University of Villanova in 2021. He looks like a big-league starter with a big, durable frame that can eat innings. He’s thrown over 130 innings in two of the last three minor league seasons; he was limited to just 86 innings in 2023 as he battled shoulder inflammation. Graceffo’s stuff surged after he entered the organization, but it appears the velocity gains have dissipated, and he’s back to sitting 93-94. His fastball doesn’t grade well metrically, and the pitch gave up a lot of hard contact in Triple-A in 2024. His slider is his preferred secondary offering, and like the fastball, it doesn’t miss many bats. He uses the pitch to get groundballs and induce weak contact. His changeup was once his best secondary, but now it's more of an average pitch. It has backed up and I think he just lost his feel for the pitch as he’s been trying to get his fastball to play up. He started using it more against same-sided hitters during his big league call up so that is something to watch going forward. His curveball is his best current secondary pitch and it has a 12-to-6 shape. Graceffo is firmly in the mix for a roster spot with the Cardinals and is one of a half dozen arms that seem likely to bounce between Memphis and St. Louis during the 2025 season. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
The 25-year-old Graceffo’s professional emergence coincided with a huge leap in pitch quality and velocity, but his 2022’s gains have subsided since. Graceffo’s fastball has lost velo and can get hammered, his slider is not missing as many bats, and his changeup has regressed to ‘average’ as he struggles to rebuild his fastball. Fortunately, Graceffo is still a bag of 50s; the curveball is solid, and his durable frame indicates Graceffo will linger in ‘AAAA’ limbo until either an MLB spot opens or his true talent level is made clear. – Drew Wheeler
LHP Ixan Henderson
DOB: 1/29/2002 (21)
HT: 6-2
WT: 180
H/T: L/L
Acquired: 2023 Draft, Round 8
Highest Level: High-A
ETA: 2026
Rule V: 2026
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
Henderson has defied most lingering questions on his profile as a low-90s finesse pitcher. Henderson is overflowing with pitchability from the left side as he can locate to all quadrants of the zone and diversify his sequences. Henderson’s mechanics are repeatable and well-connected from top to bottom, featuring a clean arm action from a low 3/4 slot. Henderson has worked to hide the ball better in the pros, affirmatively checking the ‘deceptive’ box and giving Henderson a stronger chance to impact the back of an MLB rotation. Henderson has a whippy arm and gets great hip and shoulder separation, allowing him to maximize his slighter frame. Henderson does not have a traditionally explosive fastball, topping out at 94, though he creates a flat approach angle, making it a bat misser up in the zone. Henderson has a great feel for his slider--a healthy two-plane breaking ball that misses plenty of bats. Henderson’s curveball has shown promise as a sharp vertical breaker, but he has to continue refining its location with a few too many curveballs left in the zone. Between the two breaking balls, Henderson shows an impressive feel for spinning the baseball. Henderson’s changeup is a work in progress, though is a viable pitch thanks to deception and the arm speed with which he throws it. Henderson’s carrying tool will be his pitchability; there’s a strong approach to pitching and an aptitude for how to sequence his 4-pitch arsenal. While the upside may be capped as a middling backend starter, Henderson is a good bet to make his share of big league starts and could stick in a rotation. - Tyler Paddor
FANTASY SPIN
The 8th-round pick from Fresno State had a strong first full season over two levels. He ended the season with a 2.48 ERA (3.48 FIP) and a 14.8 K-BB% over 104 innings. He qualifies as a command-over-stuff arm which is something the Cardinals have gravitated towards in recent years. Cooper Hjerpe and Quinn Mathews were both pitchability lefties out of college, although Mathews has since ticked up with his velo and stuff. Henderson has done a great job suppressing the long ball as a professional but doesn’t get a ton of ground balls so this may not stick long-term. Monitor Henderson’s strikeout numbers to see if he can be more than a back-end rotation option. - Greg Hoogkamp
OF Nathan Church
DOB: 7/12/2000 (24)
HT: 5-10
WT: 180
H/T: L/L
Acquired: 2022 Amateur Draft- Round 11, 337th overall
Highest Level: Double-A
ETA: 2026
Rule V: 2025
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
The Cardinals selected Nathan Church in the 11th round of the 2022 draft out of the University of California-Irvine. He’s moved up a level every season since being drafted and spent the entire 2024 season at Double-A Springfield, where he hit .268/.331/.373. He also hit well in the Arizona Fall League, but his line drive-oriented swing hasn’t produced much power in his career. Church makes plenty of contact and can work the entire field, never pulling the ball over 41% of the time ever at one stop. He has had strong line drive rates as well, and he has enough power to take advantage of a pitcher’s mistakes. He’s excellent on defense, showing plus defensive skills in centerfield with plus-plus speed and a plus-plus arm. His arm is a legit weapon, and his defensive abilities are good enough to keep him on the field even if he doesn’t hit. He profiles best as a fourth outfielder but if he shows any power in Triple-A this year, he can elevate himself to a potential everyday centerfielder. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
More of a sicko-league type of player, Church will, at the very least play enough in the majors to get his pension due to his plus defense and speed. What that means for fantasy is he will float around the periphery of all but the deepest of leagues. He should not be rostered in any league that has less than 700 prospects. - Ryan Epperson
OF Matt Koperniak
DOB: 2/8/1998 (27)
HT: 6-0
WT: 208
H/T: L/R
Acquired: UDFA in 2020
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025
Rule V: On 40-man
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
The Cardinals signed Matt Koperniak out of Division III Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, in 2020, the year of the shortened COVID draft. Koperniak was born in London but moved to the States at a young age. He’s done nothing but hit since signing with the Cardinals, and he hit his way onto the 40-man roster this winter. There’s no glaring weakness in Koperniak’s game. He makes contact at an above-average rate, but at times, he’s expanding the zone to put the ball in play. He’s not going to strike out much, but he won’t walk a ton, either. The raw power is average, but it plays down in games due to his swing-heavy approach and all fields hitting approach. He doesn’t pull the ball enough to get into his power. Defensively, he can play all three outfield spots but can be above-average in a corner. The arm is average. He’s an average runner, but he doesn’t play well on the bases, as he has been an inefficient base stealer in his career. Koperniak will see St. Louis at some point in 2025, but with him being another left-handed hitting outfielder, it will take a bit of a roaster shakeup to get him everyday big league at-bats. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
Koperniak is old for a prospect but deserves some attention because of his balanced offensive game. He played a full season at Triple-A in 2024 and showed power, speed and the ability to put the bat on the ball. Koperniak’s contact rates (84.0 Zone and 76.8 Overall) and exit velocities (110 mph Max and 104.0 90th%) are above average and he maintains high BAs and OBPs because of his outstanding plate approach. Because he uses the whole field, his power is capped a little, but Koperniak supplements this with decent stolen base numbers. This is a sneaky target in deep leagues as he could be a strong-side platoon candidate in St. Louis as soon as this season. - Greg Hoogkamp
RHP Sem Robberse
DOB: 10/12/2001
HT: 6-1
WT: 195
H/T: R/R
Acquired: IFA 2019
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025
Rule V: 40-man
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
Sem Robberse was signed by the Blue Jays out of the Netherlands in 2019, putting up consistent numbers throughout his minor league career. Now, with the Cardinals, Sem is a recent 40-man addition with a strong chance to see time in the majors in 2025. He utilizes a good 4-pitch mix from a ¾ slot with good extension that gives him a low release point. Robberse has an over-the-head windup and a deep squat during his forward move, which helps him get down the mound. In the past, it looked like Sem was sometimes out of control in his motion, but he has cleaned himself up. His fastball velocity was higher in 2022 than it is currently, yet he has become more consistent in the zone after his mechanics change. Nothing about his game screams high-ceiling, but plenty says high-floor, with all his pitches being around average. His fastball has not progressed as scouts had previously thought, still sitting in the low 90s but with high spin that combined with his VAA allows it to play up. Robberse makes up ground with his secondaries, highlighted by his hard slider with good two-plane movement in the mid-80s. He has a very firm changeup that plays unusually well off his fastball for how close the two are in velocity. It displays plus horizontal movement, likely due to SSW from a ¾ supinator slot, and is his main put-out versus lefties. His cutter is the most raw of his pitches, debuting it in 2023. It has a typical movement profile and succeeds in garnering weak contact. Robberse hasn’t put up eye-popping numbers in his last couple of years spanning Double-A and Triple-A, yet is on the cusp of the major league roster due to his consistency and pitch mix. Steamer has him projected for a solid 3.96 MLB ERA in 2025 in 22 innings, yet his role could expand into a backend starter depending on how the Cardinals’ off-season pans out. -Nate Rasmussen
FANTASY SPIN
When it comes to pitching, the Cards have a type, we all know it. Robberse fits this type; he’s a high-floor strike thrower who induces weak contact. He mainly uses his slider and changeup to keep hitters off balance because his fastball is very hittable. Pitchers who limit damage (4.9% barrel, 32.8% hard hit) like Robberse have a place in fantasy as inning-eating backend starters. There is a full major league rotation ahead of him, but Robberse is probably one of the first names that will be called if there is an injury or trade. Stash him in your deep (20 team or more) leagues for insurance. - Greg Hoogkamp
RHP Branneli Franco
DOB: 2/5/2007 (18)
HT: 6’3
WT: 187
H/T: R/R
Acquired: IFA 2024 ($800,000)
Highest Level: DSL
ETA: 2028
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: 2028
Grades:
SCOUTING REPORT
The Cardinals signed Franco as part of their 2024 international group, which has performed very well to this point for the organization. Franco was the top arm in the class by signing bonus, no club spent more on an international amateur pitcher than the Cardinals when they signed him for $800,000. Franco is well-built physically and has a large frame. He’s likely 20 or so pounds heavier than his listed weight and built solidly with some room to fill out, especially in the lower half. The delivery is easy and won’t require much work as he matures. He repeats it well, and the arm action is clean. He pitched the whole season at 17 and was sitting 94-95 with life, and his best secondary is a high spin slurvy breaking ball, which profiles as a future plus offering. His changeup is a work in progress. Franco has yet to pitch stateside but has the stuff to carve out a long big-league career. He will make his stateside debut in 2025 at the complex. - Matt Thompson
FANTASY SPIN
Franco does not fit the Cardinal’s mold, but this is probably a good thing. They need pitchers with stuff like Franco to give their organization some upside. He is a long way from making any sort of an impact and there is a lot of work to be done with his command/control (13.3 BB%), but the potential is there for him to be an arm that can generate some swing and miss. He’s a pitcher to watch for now, but if he shows well in his stateside debut be ready to snatch him up. - Greg Hoogkamp
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