Stock Up, Stock Down for Cardinals' Top 10 Prospects for Week 15

The Cardinals boast the best farm system in all of baseball. However, a select few of their Top-10 prospects have done well over the last week. Some are slumping at the plate, others are trying to find the right groove on the mound. Still, others are working their way back from injury.

Here’s how the Cardinals’ Top-10 prospects faired during Week 15 of the minor league season.

Oscar Taveras: Outfielder

Stats: 1 AB, 2B, BB

Even

After being sidelined for the second time this season with a high ankle sprain, Oscar Taveras, ranked No. 1 on MLB.com’s Top 100 prospect list, went 1-for-1 with a walk and a double in his rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League Monday.

Taveras originally sustained the injury on May 12, and missed three weeks. He then re-aggravated the injury and was placed on the disabled list for the second time on June 23.

The 22-year-old outfielder is batting .310, with five home runs and 32 RBI this season.

Carlos Martinez: Pitcher

Stats: No stats available for this week.

Stock Up

Carlos Martinez, the right-handed flame-thrower, has dominated over his last five starts for Triple-A Memphis, of the Pacific Coast League. Martinez is 3-2 with a microscopic 1.98 ERA in eight starts since returning to Memphis on May 27.

In his last three outings, Martinez has four earned runs, and has fanned 14 hitters.

His recent success at Triple-A led to his promotion to the Cardinals parent club on July 11, according to Jenifer Langosch and Brian Hedger of MLB.com.

With Martinez available to pitch, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny could opt to use the right-hander out of the bullpen in any situation.

“We’ve got a guy who can come out of the bullpen and throw a few innings or go longer,” Matheny said, according to MLB.com. “He’s built up to do anything we need him to do. He’ll be ready to go. We need somebody who can eat up some innings and he’s built himself up to be that guy.”

Kolten Wong: Second Base

Stats: 15 AB, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, SO, SB

Stock Down

Kolten Wong, the future second baseman for the Cardinals, took part in the 2013 Futures Game in New York last week and went 1-for-2 with a single in the fifth inning and a stolen base to boot.

However, Wong has struggled of late for Triple-A Memphis. Over his last four games, Wong is hitting a flimsy .133 with two runs, three walks, a strikeout and a stolen base. In his last 10 games, Wong is hitting just .175.

Moreover, since hitting .375 for the month of May, Wong’s averaged dipped to .276 in June and .175 in July.

Wong needs to rediscover his swing and begin punishing opposing pitchers like he did at season’s start.

Michael Wacha: Pitcher

Stats: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO

Even

Michael Wacha got a no-decision in his last start against Omaha, in which he worked five innings and allowed two earned runs off four hits. Wacha struck out three and walked two in the outing.

However, Wacha has struggled to pitch deep into games at Triple-A Memphis. In his last four starts, Wacha is 0-2 and has failed to last longer than six innings.

The coveted young pitching prospect needs more innings under his belt to be recalled anytime soon.

Tyrell Jenkins: Pitcher

Stats: Player is currently on the disabled list. 

Stock Down

Tyrell Jenkins can’t catch a break this season. The Cardinals pitching prospect was diagnosed with a lat strain after failing to record an out during his last start for Class A Palm Beach on July 13, according to Derrick Goold, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The right-hander missed time earlier this season because of a shoulder injury.

Jenkins is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts in Class A Advanced Florida State League.

Carson Kelly: Third Base

Stats: 13 AB, 2 H, 3B, BB, 2 SO

Even

Carson Kelly struggled in June. He hit just .217. However, his average is slowly inching up. Over his last 10 games, Kelly is hitting .225, with three RBI. He’s hitting .234 for the month of July.

However, Kelly needs to be more consistent at the plate from here on out.

John Gast: Pitcher

Stats: Player is currently on the disabled list. 

Stock Down

John Gast remains sidelined with a strained back, which he suffered during the first inning of his May 25 start against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

According to Derrick Goold, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Gast’s injury is expected to keep him sidelined for four, possibly six weeks.

Michael Blazek: Pitcher

Stats: 2.1 IP, H, 2 SO, BB

Stock Up

Michael Blazek was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on July 11. He worked in two games for the Cardinals during his time in the big leagues. He pitched a scoreless inning against the Los Angeles Angels, before lasting just 0.2 innings against Houston, in which the right-hander allowed three runs, one earned, off two hits and walked three hitters.

No matter, since returning to Memphis, Blazek seems to have found his groove. He hasn’t allowed a run in 2.1 innings thus far.

Seth Blair: Pitcher

Stats: No stats available for this week.

Stock Down

Seth Blair has been knocked around like a pinball. In his last three starts, the right-hander has worked 16 innings and has allowed eight earned runs off 17 hits, including a home run. Though, Blair has fanned 17 hitters and has walked eight.

But in his two starts in July, Blair is 0-0, with a 5.40 ERA and has allowed six earned runs in 10 innings pitched.

Eric Fornataro: Pitcher

Stats: No stats available for this week.

Stock Down

Eric Fornataro, who came out of Miami-Dade Junior College, was initially trained as a starting pitcher with his electrifying sinker.

But the Cardinals turned their prospect into a reliever in 2012, where he thrived after being promoted to Double-A.

However, this season, the 25-year-old Fornataro has struggled mightily. In 27 appearances, the righty is 0-3, with a 7.71 ERA in 32.2 IP. He’s allowed 30 earned runs in that span.