Stock Up, Stock Down for Cardinals' Top 10 Prospects for Week of May 6

Branch Rickey invented Major League Baseball’s farm system in the early 1930s while serving as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. Since then, the Cardinals’ minor league affiliates continue to flourish.

Keith Law, of MLBDailyDish.com, deemed the Cardinals’ farm system as the best in all of baseball. And for good reason. The Cardinals’ ability to develop players is second to none.

(See Albert Pujols, Allen Craig, Matt Adams and Shelby Miller).

Here are the stocks for the Cardinals’ top 10 prospects for the week of May 6.

Oscar Taveras: Outfielder

Stats: 34 AB, 4 R, 10 H, HR, 7 RBI, BB, 8 SO, 2 SB

Stock Up

Taveras came just shy of making the Opening Day roster this season. Many believed he would do so because of his flawless bat. However, Taveras began the season in Triple-A Memphis, where he continues to rip the cover off the ball.

The 20-year-old power hitter managed a healthy .294 average last week for the Redbirds, including four extra base hits in 34 at-bats. He also managed to swipe a pair of bases.

If Taveras continues to produce in the minors, he will surely receive a warranted promotion to the show.

Carlos Martinez: Pitcher

Stats: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R/ER, BB, 2 SO

Stock Up

The demotions of incompetents Mitchell Boggs and Marc Rzepczynski allowed for the call-up of the flame-throwing Martinez.

After working consecutive scoreless innings earlier in the month, Martinez was tagged for three runs off three hits in the Cardinals’ 8-2 loss to the Rockies Sunday. 

The rookie didn’t look as crisp and sound as fans and media were accustomed to during his first two outings. But, nonetheless, Martinez has tremendous upside, which is why his stock is up.

One must remember Martinez missed all of Spring Training due to a mix up in receiving his visa. So, patience is virtue for the youngster from here on out. 

Kolten Wong: Second Base

Stats: 31 AB, 6 R, 12 H, HR, 2 RBI, 5 SO, SB

Stock Up

Almost certainly the future starting second baseman for the Cardinals, Kolten Wong continues to prosper down on the farm. In 31 at-bats last week, Wong managed six extra base hits—including four doubles, a triple and a home run. He also swiped a bag in the process.

Wong’s glove continues to prove flawless. In 33 games thus far, Wong has yet to commit an error. He boasts 62 putouts and 102 assists for Triple-A Memphis. 

Michael Wacha: Pitcher

Stats: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, HR, 5 SO

Stock Up

Michael Wacha retired seven of the first eight batters he faced last Friday en route to securing his fourth win of the season in Memphis’ 10-2 victory over Sacramento.

Wacha is now a perfect 4-0, with a 1.99 ERA. 

Tyrell Jenkins: Pitcher

Stats: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 SO

Stock Up

After lasting no more than five innings in his first four starts of the season, Jenkins notched his second consecutive victory last Friday against Quad Cities. In his five innings of work, Jenkins surrendered five walks.

However, he only allowed two earned runs.

Matt Adams: First Base

Stats: 7 AB, 2 H, 2 RBI, SO

Stock Up

Adams suffered a strained oblique muscle that landed him on the 15-day disabled list in late April.

However, Adams was activated last Tuesday.

His bat continues to impress many in the organization, but finding at-bats for the young power hitter remains problematic.

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“I believe he’s a very usable weapon off the bench and, all the way around, he’ll get his work in,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said, courtesy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “We’re not going to go out of our way unless we have a player we feel is an impact player and that’s just how we’ve designed this team. He’s a guy who will be in a reserve role. But I think he’s a little more valuable than that, and we have to keep him sharp if we’re going to use him in that capacity.”

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Adams has smashed three home runs and driven in 10 in 12 games this season for the Cardinals. 

Carson Kelly: Third Base

Stats: 20 AB, 5 H, RBI, 2 SO

Stock Down

Another up-and-coming infielder, Carson Kelly had a subpar week in the minors, hitting just .250 with only one extra base hit.

Kelly, 19, has a bright future ahead of him, but he’s struggled at the plate this season, hitting just .254 through 19 games. 

John Gast: Pitcher

Stats: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, SO

Stock Up

Gast suffered his first loss of the season last Friday, dropping his record to 3-1. No matter, Gast still boasts a microscopic 1.16 ERA through seven starts thus far for Triple-A Memphis.

Look for Gast to get back on track this week after his subpar outing last week.

Michael Blazek: Pitcher

Stats: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 SO

Stock Up

Blazek was promoted to Triple-A Memphis late last season, but began the 2013 campaign in Double-A Springfield.

There, Blazek has shined. Last week, the 24-year-old righty worked a combined scoreless four innings and dropped his ERA to 0.60.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Blazek promoted to Triple-A in the near future. 

Maikel Cleto: Pitcher

Stats: 5.0 IP, H, 5 BB, 6 SO

Stock Down

Cleto has had a rough start to his career.

This season marks his third straight at Triple-A Memphis. Though he picked up his first win of the season last Thursday, Cleto issued five walks. His command and control must improve if he wants to get to the big leagues.