Ranking St. Louis Cardinals' Most Major League-Ready Prospects for Next Season
A prospect-churning player development system is a luxury every organization throughout Major League Baseball would like to have. In St. Louis, the pipeline begins in Palm Beach, Florida, and ends under the Arch in front of the best fans in baseball. The Cardinals are loaded with prospects.
Ranking all of them would be impossible. However, ranking the most major league-ready prospects for 2015 is doable. Based on stats from this season coupled with raw talent and need, here are the Cardinals’ top five prospects that will compete for a roster spot in February.
Marco Gonzales, Pitcher
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Left-hander Marco Gonzales has been fast-tracked to the majors due to injury and immediate need within the Cardinals rotation. Not a bad spot for a 22-year-old to be in. Early analysis on Gonzales suggests he is ready to compete for a spot either in the rotation or the bullpen next season.
Before I continue, let me say this: Yes, I know Gonzales is young with very little experience at the minor league level. So I understand the concern about keeping him with the parent club. Such a move could stunt his development, stall his career or even expose him to serious injury.
I get all of that.
However, Gonzales is too good of a pitcher for GM John Mozeliak and manager Mike Matheny not to take a hard look at. Even though Gonzales has five major league starts, he’s proved he belongs. He doesn’t crack under pressure. His changeup is beyond filthy. (If you don’t believe me, ask Troy Tulowitzki.)
Gonzales started 21 games while spending stints with Palm Beach, Springfield and Memphis. He carved a 9-5 record with a 2.43 ERA in over 122 innings pitched. He also piled up a combined 117 strikeouts.
His most impressive outing came Sept. 14 at Colorado, a game in which Gonzales pitched 5.2 innings, allowed one run off four hits and struck out nine en route to the win.
Another interesting point to mention is the status of Jaime Garcia, who was lost for the season after undergoing surgery to relieve nerve damage in his throwing shoulder. Honestly, I believe Garcia will not be back next season. And if that’s the case, the Cardinals could benefit from having Gonzales in the rotation.
In my opinion, you can never have too many left-handed pitchers. Especially in the rotation.
Randal Grichuk, Outfielder
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The outfield will be loaded with depth again next season. Randal Grichuk is one of three prospects that will vie for playing time.
Grichuk, who has spent more than one stint with the parent club this season, is a valuable asset for an outfield that is average (at best) defensively. Grichuk has speed, unlike Oscar Taveras or Matt Holliday.
In 32 big league games this season, Grichuk has posted a 2.40 range factor per nine innings (RF/9), according to Baseball-Reference.com. The league average range factor per nine innings is 2.12. Yes, this is a very small sample size, but it does shed light on what Grichuk could bring to this club next season.
Offensively, Grichuk has a lot of raw potential. He launched 25 homers and tallied 71 RBI for Memphis this season. Albeit there’s a huge difference between Triple-A and the big leagues, but Grichuk has some pop, which is a quality tool to have.
Expect to see Grichuk in the fold next spring.
Xavier Scruggs, 1st Baseman
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When Allen Craig was shipped to Boston, the depth at first base went away, too.
Next man up, as I like to say.
Enter Xavier Scruggs, a 26-year-old power-hitting corner infielder.
For some reason, I’ve always liked this guy. I have a hunch that he will do well in the big leagues now that his card has been called.
In fairness to Scruggs, I’m not going to waste anyone’s time by grading him based on his 13 at-bats and his .231 average. That would be senseless and downright goofy. It’s hard to gain confidence and maintain a consistent routine when you’re riding the bench.
Focusing on next year…
Scruggs, who has spent all but eight games of his career in the minors, has hit 21 or more home runs in each of the last four seasons. Albeit, he did so at three different levels, which will lead to some scrutinizing, but those numbers are impressive nonetheless.
The right-handed hitter has earned his chance.
What impresses me the most about Scruggs is his sustained success against left-handed pitching, a feat the Cardinals have struggled with over the past two seasons.
Against LHP this season, Scruggs hit .350 with 11 homers and 40 RBI. Last season, he hit .300 with four homers and 19 RBI.
I could bore you with more stats, but you get the point, yes?
As I mentioned earlier, depth is needed at first base. Adams will need to be spelled every now and then. There’s also the factor of Adams getting injured.
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Tommy Pham, Outfielder
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Historically, the Cardinals aren’t considered speedsters on the basepaths. They take what they can get but often don’t push the envelope.
We’re starting to see this trend change a bit with the addition of Peter Bourjos, the development of Kolten Wong and the aggressiveness of Jon Jay. Next season, the Cardinals could be even more dangerous on the bases if Tommy Pham makes the roster.
Pham, like Scruggs, has spent his entire career in the minors. He was drafted out of high school in the 16th round in 2006.
His nickname should be “lightning.” While with Memphis this season, Pham posted a .395 on-base percentage and led the Redbirds with 20 steals. He was caught stealing twice on the season.
Pham's wheels could earn him a roster spot in 2015.
Stephen Piscotty, Outfielder
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Stephen Piscotty has paid his dues waiting for his opportunity to start his big league career.
He will more than likely get his chance in 2015.
Piscotty had a stellar season for Memphis. He managed a steady .288 mark at the plate and led the club with 32 doubles and 144 hits. He has good discipline at the plate, as he was second on the team with 43 walks this season. His offensive production had much to do with him being named a Pacific Coast League All-Star.
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