Tim Melville: The St. Louis Cardinals Solution in The 2008 MLB Draft

The city of Saint Louis is not generally known for their high school baseball talent, but in the past year, they have produced two first-round picks. They just happen to both come out of Wentzville Holt High School, about thirty minutes from downtown Saint Louis.

The 2008 MLB Draft might just see the most recent prospect stay in town. Right-handed pitcher Tim Melville is considered the best arm in high school baseball, throwing a fastball that has topped out at 97 mph. There is also a great chance that Melville will be available when the Cardinals select at the 13th slot, and making for a pick that is not only homegrown, but talented as well.

Melville not only tore apart Saint Louis competition, but played very well in several All-Star showcases. He has played well enough to apparently garner the recognition needed to be voted the National Player of the Year award in 2008.

His junior year was when the pro scouts really started to cling to Melville. They would show up to every start in packs. Deservedly so, as Melville pitched brilliantly, earning All-Metro Pitcher of the Year honors. In 63 innings, the teenager allowed just 33 hits, struck out 117, and had a microscopic 0.89 ERA.

Showing off his pure athleticism, he also pounded out hit after hit, compiling a .443 BA and 30 RBIs. At this point, Melville was ready for stardom.

The Cardinals need a prospect like Melville. If his pitching career doesn't work out, he certainly can rake with the best of them. Can someone say Rick Ankiel?

Just as many high schoolers before him have done, Melville has committed to play baseball in college, at the University of North Carolina. There is significant doubt that Melville will turn down his first-round status for college ball, but that's the reason Coach Fox let him sign the letter-of-intent.

With pitchers sprayed all over the Cardinals DL like a Jackson Pollack painting, they need to stock up strong arms for the future. Getting Melville, the top-rated high school pitcher, would secure just that.

His body is built for pitching: a wide, 6'5", 210-pound frame. If the Cardinals can capture this gem, it may pay large dividends in just a couple of years.

Many mock drafts have the Cardinals selecting Yondor Alonso, a first baseman from Miami (FL). I do not make mock drafts for a living, such as some of these individuals who have Alonso slotted to the Cards, but I do think that it is finally time for the Cardinals to pick some young local talent.

According to Yahoo! Sports' Steve Henson, Alonso is a "slam-dunk big leaguer". I have a problem with that statement, however. Henson has to remember that Alonso is a first baseman by trade, and due to his below-average speed, probably can't move elsewhere around the diamond.

That first base position will be filled by the great Albert Pujols for years to come. Why take a first baseman, albeit proven, when you could take an amazing young talent in Melville?

Hopefully the Cardinals front office will make the right decision and go with Melville, because he could be a true stud.