2026 Cardinals Draft Recap

Written By Cardinals Prospects Team

Credit: MLB

No team entered the draft with more picks than the Cardinals, who held 23 selections across the two-day event. St. Louis used those picks to assemble a varied class built around up-the-middle prep talent, college bats with diverse skill sets and clear carrying tools, and pitchers with quality fastballs.

The Cardinals ultimately signed 21 of their 23 selections after Texas A&M right-hander Clayton Freshcorn and Oklahoma State outfielder Kollin Ritchie chose to return to school. Even without those two, St. Louis came away with a deep class that added talent across several areas of the farm system. The group has also received high marks around the industry, with ESPN, MLB Pipeline, and OverSlot viewing it as one of the strongest classes in the draft.

OF Trevor Condon (First Round)

Heading into the draft, there was very little certainty about which direction the Cardinals would go. The general expectation was that they would select a hitter, but as draft day approached, it remained unclear whether that would be a college bat or a high school position player. A few pitchers also entered the conversation late in the process. When the Cardinals were finally on the clock at 13, they selected high school outfielder Trevor Condon out of Etowah High School. Condon put together an outstanding senior season, earning Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year honors in one of the nation's deepest high school classes.

Condon features a start-stop load at the plate. He sits deep into his initial load before pausing as he tracks the pitcher, allowing his hands to work from a higher starting position down to a more comfortable launch position. Once he commits, he utilizes a high leg kick and explodes through the baseball. Condon generates excellent bat speed, and his swing works on a clean, efficient path that allows him to drive the ball consistently.

Condon has the upside to develop into a 3-4 tool player, and it all starts with his hit tool, which entered the draft as his biggest strength. He consistently makes good swing decisions and makes contact at a high rate, making for an attractive offensive profile. The biggest question is how much power he'll ultimately grow into. Condon tapped into more game power during his senior season, hitting nine home runs, and he posted exit velocities of 105-106 mph at the MLB Draft Combine. It's worth noting, however, that his exit velocities from his final round of batting practice were not made publicly available, leaving some additional projection on the table. With his notable bat speed, there's reason to believe Condon can continue adding power as he matures. If he's able to translate more of that bat speed into consistent game power, he has the offensive upside to become a well-rounded impact hitter.

Defensively, Condon offers a relatively high floor for a high school prospect. He possesses plus-plus speed that impacts the game both on the bases and in center field, where he projects to remain long-term. He takes efficient routes, covers plenty of ground, and consistently tracks down balls in the gaps. He pairs that range with a solid arm that is more than adequate for the position, giving him the tools to be an above-average defensive center fielder.

While it's always risky to select a high school player, especially in the first round, there's no denying the upside Condon brings. Betting on prep talent comes with plenty of uncertainty, but the Cardinals are in a position to take that gamble. With one of the deepest farm systems they've had in years, the organization has the prospect depth to invest in a high-ceiling player like Condon and give him the time needed to reach his full potential.

Signing Bonus: $5,161,300 ($5,661,300)

RHP Tegan Kuhns (Competitive Balance Round A)

After selecting two Tennessee pitchers with quality fastballs in last year’s draft, the Cardinals went back to that well and added another in Tegan Kuhns. St. Louis has placed a clear emphasis in recent drafts on targeting pitchers with strong fastball characteristics, and Kuhns fits that mold. His heater is one of the better fastballs in the class and gives the organization a premium offering around which it can build the rest of his arsenal.

Kuhns’ fastball averages 94.2 mph and generates 19.3 inches of induced vertical break from a low 5.5-foot release height. That combination creates a flat -4.3-degree vertical approach angle, which ranks in the 98th percentile and allows the pitch to play particularly well at the top of the zone. The velocity is solid on its own, but the release characteristics and movement profile help the fastball play above its raw radar-gun reading and make it difficult for hitters to get on plane.

The rest of Kuhns’ arsenal is still developing, led by a 77 mph curveball that has significant velocity separation from the fastball. He also mixes in an 83 mph gyro slider and a low-80s changeup, though neither pitch is as advanced as the heater or curveball at this stage. Kuhns does have solid spin capacity, giving the Cardinals reason to believe his secondary mix can improve. The biggest key to unlocking those offerings will be adding more velocity, particularly to the gyro slider. By selecting him, the organization must believe the raw ingredients are there for the secondaries to evolve with professional instruction.

Kuhns also showed encouraging strike-throwing ability, posting a walk rate of just 4.7% this year. His future role will likely depend on how much progress he makes with the secondary arsenal, but the fastball and control already give him a potential path to a back-end starting role. If the Cardinals can help him develop solid enough breaking pitches to complement the heater, Kuhns has a chance to become a dependable mid-rotation major-league starter.

Signing Bonus: $3,044,600 ($3,044,600)

SS Rocco Maniscalco (Second Round)

Most people around the Cardinals community expected the organization to target a couple of high school players on Day 1. Still, few anticipated the club selecting two prep prospects with its first three picks. With the 50th overall pick, the Cardinals selected infielder Rocco Maniscalco, the youngest player in the 2026 draft at just 17 years, 2 months old – and the youngest player to ever be drafted. Originally a member of the 2027 class, Maniscalco reclassified into the 2026 class, making him eligible for this year's draft a full year early.

Maniscalco is a switch-hitter who features a quiet setup and a small, controlled leg kick from both sides of the plate. From the right side, his swing is flatter and geared more toward line drives than loft. From the left side, however, the swing looks more natural and fluid. He creates more uphill plane from that side, allowing him to lift the ball more consistently and tap into greater power potential.

Defense is what separates Maniscalco from the rest of the class. He has all the traits teams look for in a long-term shortstop: quick first-step reactions, impressive range, advanced footwork, soft hands, efficient transfers, a clean arm path, and plus arm strength. He showcased that arm at the MLB Draft Combine, where he was clocked at 97 mph across the diamond. His defensive instincts and athleticism give him a legitimate chance to become one of the premier defensive shortstops in professional baseball, providing an exceptionally high floor even as his bat continues to develop.

While Maniscalco's defensive ability is already well established, there's still plenty of development ahead on the offensive side. Both his hit tool and game power entered the draft as question marks, though he flashed intriguing raw power at the MLB Draft Combine by posting exit velocities up to 108 mph. Some evaluators believe his hit tool can develop into an average – or even above average – tool over time, and his youth is a major reason for that optimism. Having just turned 17, Maniscalco has plenty of physical and offensive projection remaining, but he'll need to make meaningful strides at the plate to maximize his overall ceiling.

Maniscalco represents a bet on long-term upside rather than immediate polish. His defensive ability gives him one of the highest floors in the high school class, and if that bat develops the way the Cardinals believe it can, they may have landed their shortstop of the future. It’s a selection that requires patience, but the potential payoff could make it one of the biggest steals of the 2026 draft.

Signing Bonus: $3,200,000 ($1,980,000)

OF Andrew Williamson (Competitive Balance Round B)

With the first of two picks acquired in the Brendan Donovan trade, the Cardinals selected UCF outfielder Andrew Williamson, a consistent performer over the last two years for the Knights. Williamson followed up a 147 WRC+ sophomore season in 2025 with a .322/.442/.645 slash line for a 137 WRC+ with 16 homers and 48 RBIs in 55 games. He did this while posting a solid 17.7% strike rate and a 15.5% walk rate. 

Scouts are split on Williamson’s swing, with some not liking the untraditional nature of the swing, while others believe Williamson is on time at the right points for the swing to be effective. Starting with a slightly open stance, Williamson features a quick leg kick that gets to around the lower shin level before getting the foot down quickly. After that, he lets his quick hands generate most of the power. Williamson starts with the bat on his shoulder, then points the bat towards the pitcher while getting his back elbow parallel with his head, and he then whips his hands through the zone, creating plenty of loft to his swing. 

Williamson is known for his power: his average exit velocity of 93 mph is in the 96th percentile, and his 108.9 mph exit velocity ranks in the 97th percentile amongst all D1 players. A consistent performer, Williamson’s hard-hit rate of 60% ranked within the 98th percentile, and even with a swing that isn’t traditional, Williamson has performed well against velocity with a 63.6% hard-hit rate against velocity. Williamson features an aggressive approach at the plate with a 72.3% zone-swing rate, which ranks in the 82nd percentile, while some question his chase rate of 23.9%. I think with his aggressiveness in zone, this chase rate is more than acceptable, and if he can keep up a similar 85.8% Z-Contact rate, he should be able to do damage consistently in zone through the minors. The obvious improvement spot for Williamson offensively is working on being able to make more contact out of zone, as his 54.5% out-of-zone contact rate ranks in the 33rd percentile. 

Defensively, Williamson moved over from centerfield, where he played his freshman year, to rightfield the past two seasons for the Knights, where he has been an above-average fielder. Williamson has at least average speed, with some ability to get to above average speed, and the routes and instincts are solid enough that the Cardinals will likely try him in centerfield to start his pro career, though there is a good chance he ends up as mainly a corner guy in the upper minors where he should be above average, while he can post above average sprint speeds at times Williamson definitely isn’t the biggest threats on the basepaths stealing 13 and 8 bases the past two seasons. 

Signing Bonus: $1,285,500 ($1,285,500)

RHP Dawson Montesa (Competitive Balance Round B)

With the Cardinals' second Competitive Balance Round B pick acquired from the Rays in the Brendan Donovan trade, the Cardinals selected right-hander Dawson Montesa. Montesa brings an intriguing blend of athleticism and a deep pitch mix that gives him plenty of projection at the professional level. He made 19 appearances, including 15 starts, and finished the season with a 6-5 record and a 5.38 ERA across 77 innings. During that span, he struck out 92 batters, showing some swing-and-miss in his game. 

Montesa works at a deliberate pace early in his delivery before lifting his leg to chest height, where it meets his hands at the top of his balance point. One of the strengths of his mechanics is how well he keeps his body in sync throughout the delivery. His arm stays on time with the rest of his body, allowing him to efficiently transfer energy down the mound and consistently repeat his mechanics.

Montesa primarily works off a two-pitch mix consisting of a fastball and a curveball. Like several other pitchers the Cardinals selected in this draft, he throws from a lower release height, allowing his low-to-mid 90s fastball to play with a flatter vertical approach angle. While the pitch doesn't feature elite shape or generate much spin, it plays better than the raw metrics suggest because of his release characteristics and approach angle. His best secondary offering is a curveball that features excellent depth and above-average spin. While it doesn't consistently entice hitters to chase outside the strike zone, it does generate plenty of swings and misses. 

Montesa also mixes in a slider and a changeup, though they make up just over 10% of his overall pitch usage. His slider generates a respectable amount of swing-and-miss, while the changeup pairs well with his fastball by providing a different movement profile and keeping hitters off balance. Although they're used sparingly, both pitches show enough promise to become more prominent parts of his arsenal as he develops. The biggest area for improvement is his command, as he'll need to consistently throw strikes with all four pitches if he's going to reach his ceiling as a starter.

Montesa is a classic development bet. He has the athletic delivery and four-pitch mix that give him the ingredients to become a productive professional starter, but he'll need to improve his command and continue refining his arsenal to get there. If the Cardinals can help him take those next steps, they may have landed another quality pitching prospect.

Signing Bonus: $850,000 ($1,174,300)

OF Caden Ferraro (Third Round)

With their third-round pick, the Cardinals may have landed the most complete hitter in the entire class in Texas Tech outfielder Caden Ferraro. Ferraro spent two seasons at Blinn College, helping the Buccaneers win the 2024 NJCAA Division I World Series before transferring to Texas Tech. He immediately became a force for the Red Raiders, slashing .372/.481/.601 with eight home runs and more walks than strikeouts.

Ferraro’s profile is built around a rare combination of impact and bat-to-ball ability. His 94.8 mph average exit velocity and 109.5 mph 90th-percentile exit velocity both ranked in the 99th percentile. Among college hitters with a 90th-percentile exit velocity above 109 mph, Ferraro’s 92.3% in-zone contact rate ranked first. Hitters who impact the ball this consistently typically come with considerably more swing-and-miss, but Ferraro pairs his raw juice with an advanced ability to cover the strike zone. It is rare to find an offensive profile this polished in the third round.

The game power did not fully reflect the underlying metrics in 2026, as Ferraro finished the season with eight home runs despite his elite exit velocities. He showed an above-average ability to lift the ball to his pull side but did not consistently pull his hardest-hit balls. If Ferraro can pull more of his hardest-hit balls, his raw power should begin translating into more consistent game power.

The biggest questions are on the defensive side after Ferraro spent most of the season at designated hitter. There is a chance he ultimately settles at first base or DH, though his athletic testing was closer to average than his defensive reputation would suggest. Ferraro also pitched during his freshman season at Blinn, giving him plenty of arm strength to profile in right field. Regardless of where he ends up defensively, the completeness of his offensive profile gives him a chance to develop into a productive middle-of-the-order bat.

Signing Bonus: $800,000 ($943,600)

SS Dee Kennedy (Fourth Round)

The Cardinals added one of the better athletes in the college class with Kansas State shortstop Dee Kennedy. Kennedy broke out during his junior season, hitting .357/.461/.733 with 20 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He underwent LASIK surgery last summer before cutting his strikeout rate from 30.3% to 18.4% and producing one of the best offensive seasons in Kansas State history.

Kennedy’s offensive profile is driven by his ability to lift the ball to the pull side. His 63.4% line-drive-and-fly-ball pull rate ranked in the 96th percentile, highlighting his ability to maximize his power by consistently elevating his best contact to the shorter side of the field. Kennedy may not possess overwhelming raw power, but his approach allows his game power to play above the raw exit-velocity numbers.

There are legitimate questions about Kennedy’s bat-to-ball skills, as his 79.8% in-zone contact rate ranked in the 23rd percentile. However, his elite swing decisions make the contact profile more respectable. Kennedy chased just 16.5% of pitches outside the zone and posted a 54.6% Z-O Swing rate, which ranked in the 98th percentile. He consistently attacks pitches inside the zone without expanding against offerings he is unlikely to hit, giving him a better chance to reach his power despite the swing-and-miss concerns.

Defensively, Kennedy is a premier athlete who projects to stick at shortstop. He has the range, actions, and arm strength needed to remain at the position, while his speed also gives him value on the bases. His ceiling will depend on whether he makes enough contact for the power to translate against professional pitching, but the combination of premium athleticism, pull-side juice, and advanced swing decisions gives him everyday upside. Even if the hit tool remains inconsistent, his defense and versatility should give him a path to becoming a valuable utility player at the major-league level.

Signing Bonus: $684,300 ($684,300)

RHP Cal Randall (Fifth Round)

The Cardinals continued their emphasis on premium fastball traits by selecting UCLA right-hander Cal Randall in the fifth round. Randall has an alien fastball that is indisputably the best in the entire class.

Randall’s fastball averaged 97 mph and touched 100.7 while generating 18.5 inches of induced vertical break from a low 5.2-foot release height. That combination produced a flat -4-degree vertical approach angle and an even flatter -3-degree mark in the upper third of the strike zone, which ranked in the 100th percentile. Randall also generates nearly 6.9 feet of extension, effectively adding a couple of ticks to the pitch’s perceived velocity. The fastball produced a 34.9% whiff rate despite being thrown 88.4% of the time, which is especially impressive considering hitters knew it was coming and still struggled against it.

The rest of Randall’s arsenal is understandably underdeveloped because he relied so heavily on the fastball. His primary secondary is an upper-80s slider-cutter hybrid that flashed swing-and-miss ability in limited usage. He also mixed in a hard copycat changeup and an occasional low-80s curveball. The Cardinals will likely rebuild the secondary mix from scratch, though Randall’s solid spin traits give them quality raw material to work with.

The biggest concern is Randall’s strike-throwing, as he walked 14.7% of opposing hitters in 2026 and has yet to show the consistent command needed to project confidently as a starter. He likely profiles as a reliever long term, though the Cardinals plan to stretch him out and give him an opportunity to start. If they can help him throw more strikes and develop at least one reliable, platoon-neutral secondary pitch, Randall has the stuff to become an impact arm at the major-league level.

Signing Bonus: $501,300 ($501,300)

SS Owen Henne (Sixth round) 

With their 6th round pick, the Cardinals became the first team in the draft to go to the D2 level, selecting Seton Hill shortstop Owen Henne. During his junior year at Seton Hill, Henne slashed .401/.489/.592 with 5 homers and 39 RBI’s in 43 games. Henne had impressive bat-to-ball skills with 17 strikeouts to 20 walks on the season. Where Henne really made his name was the MLB Draft League this summer, where he slashed .302/.486/.528 with an 11/11 BB/K ratio and improved exit velocities. 

Standing at 6’3 ft and 175 pounds, Henne features a simple swing from the right side of the plate; he starts with his hands hovering over his back shoulder, then takes a small step, which helps with his timing while staying extremely controllable, which helps him keep very high contact rates and constantly make solid line drive contact.

We don’t have much data on Henne from his time at Seton Hill, but the one piece of data that we do have is that he ran an extremely impressive 96.3% in-zone contact percentage, though against D2 competition there is some expectation that would go down in pro ball. We have more data from his time in the Draft League, where he continued to show great contact skills with a 92.5% in-zone contact rate. Henne did this while showing impressive plate discipline (17.7% chase) and increasing power, setting a new career high exit velocity of 109.2 mph while showing a solid 102.9 mph 90th percentile exit velocity. He also showed a solid knack for hitting the ball hard, with his 46.5% hard-hit rate being in the 77th percentile amongst draft league participants. He’ll have to work on pulling the ball in the air more if he wants to get to more consistent power. 

Defensively, some scouts believe that Henne has the movement and athleticism to stick at shortstop in pro ball; if he is forced to move off the position, he likely profiles as a utility player who could play in both the infield and the outfield. Henne played exclusively at SS for both Seton Hill and in the Draft League this summer, having a .980 fielding percentage in the Draft League. 

The Cardinals took a risk on Henne because they likely believe there is much more projection in the profile, standing at 6’3 175 pounds the Henne’s frame is wirey, and with professional strength and conditioning and nutrition resources at Henne’s disposal he could add more muscle and go from a slightly below average power hitter to average or even above average power with good contact rates, and if he can stick at shortstop even with the additional physical development he could be a steal in the middle rounds of this draft. It’s a solid bet by the Cardinals in the middle rounds, with Henne’s contact skills giving him a higher floor than some of the Cardinals’ later hitter picks. 

Signing Bonus: $383,400 ($383,400)

RHP Derek Schaefer (Seventh Round)

The Cardinals selected Schaefer in the seventh round, and it doesn't take long to see why they were intrigued by his profile. Arizona State deployed him exclusively out of the bullpen in 2026, where he logged 33.2 innings over the course of the season. While his traditional numbers weren't particularly eye-catching – a 1-3 record with a 5.88 ERA – his underlying metrics were more encouraging. Schaefer struck out 28.2% of opposing hitters while walking just 9.4%, flashing the swing-and-miss ability and strike-throwing traits that the Cardinals have consistently targeted in recent drafts.

Schaefer features a simple, repeatable delivery on the mound. He begins with a conventional leg lift before sinking into his lower half as he works down the slope, generating good power through his legs. He does an excellent job utilizing his hips and creating a firm lead-leg block, allowing him to efficiently transfer energy and maximize his velocity. He also generates decent extension out front while releasing the ball from an average arm slot, giving him a clean and efficient delivery. 

While Schaefer was used exclusively out of the bullpen at Arizona State, his five-pitch mix gives him a legitimate chance to develop into a starter at the professional level. His arsenal is headlined by a flat-angle fastball that serves as his primary offering. Sitting in the mid-90s, the pitch features decent spin characteristics. Given his release height, the shape is roughly average, generating a little over 17 inches of induced vertical break (IVB). He complements the fastball with two quality breaking balls: a sweeper and a cutter. His mid-80s sweeper is clearly his best pitch. It features an excellent movement profile, above average spin, and consistently generates empty swings, producing a 45.1% whiff rate and a 37.8% chase rate. His high-80s to low-90s cutter is another effective weapon. While it doesn't possess elite spin, its movement profile and ability to miss bats make it a reliable secondary offering.

Rounding out the arsenal are a low-80s curveball with more vertical depth and a high-80s changeup. The curveball flashes solid spin and shape, while the changeup remains a work in progress. Neither pitch was used frequently at Arizona State, but both offer additional upside if the Cardinals can continue their development and give Schaefer a deeper mix capable of handling a starter's workload.

For a seventh-round pick, Schaefer offers a lot of intriguing upside. The combination of his five-pitch arsenal, ability to throw strikes, and quality secondary pitches gives him a chance to develop into more than just a reliever. Even if he doesn't ultimately stick as a starting pitcher, Schaefer has the type of arsenal that could play in a major league bullpen. At his floor, he projects as a valuable relief arm or pitching depth option, making him a strong value pick in the draft.

Signing Bonus: $275,000 ($302,300)

LHP Luke Harrison (Eighth round)

A consistent starter for the Longhorns over the past two seasons, Harrison started 16 of his 19 games during his senior season, posting a 4.10 ERA across 83.1 innings with 100 strikeouts to only 35 walks and helping his team to Omaha. This came after a very successful junior campaign, which saw Harrison post a 3.06 ERA across 70.2 innings. A member of the USA College National Team, Harrison recently traveled to Taiwan for the Collegiate Championship, where he threw 5 innings of 6-strikeout ball, only giving a couple of runs to a talented Taiwan team. 

Harrison is a pretty traditional lefty in terms of his delivery, starting with his hands near his chest, he then lifts them to head level while his stomach high kick comes, he then strides down the mound getting around 6 ft of extension from his 6’2 frame before releasing the ball from a ¾ arm slot which he can manipulate up or down by a few degrees to create some extra deception, sometimes being a steeper ¾ while being able to flatten it out on harder pitches like his cutter and fastball. He can also speed up his delivery in a quick pitch type of way if need be to keep batters' timing off. 

More of a large mix starter than a pitcher with overpowering stuff, Harrison relied on 4 different pitches more than 16% of the time, with his most used pitch being the cutter, which he used 25.4% of the time. The cutter averaged 89 mph this season for Harrison with 8 inches of IVB to 1.2 inches of horizontal movement; he spun the pitch well, averaging 2500 RPM, and it generated a solid 25.7% whiff rate. The second most used pitch in Harrison’s arsenal was a high 70s curveball with 10 inches of drop while getting 13 inches of horizontal movement, making it a sweepier curveball. It was the best swing-and-miss pitch for Harrison this season, generating a 38.7% whiff rate. Harrison also threw more of a traditional sweeper with 12.6 inches of horizontal break to 5.5 inches of IVB, and it also generated an above-average 37.9% whiff rate. Nothing is special about Harrison’s fastball, which is why he only used it 18.8% of the time; the pitch averaged 91-92 mph with 15.7 inches of IVB, despite the pedestrian movement profile. Harrison located it well enough to get a 26.8% whiff rate on the pitch, though it's unlikely it keeps that up in pro ball. Finally, Harrison flashed a sinker which averaged 90-92 mph with 15 inches of horizontal break, which he used only around 10% of the time. Harrison has excellent command, throwing 4 of his 5 pitches for strikes above 66% of the time, including both the cutter and sinker being strikes above 70% of the time; the only pitch below the 60% mark is his curveball, which is more of a swing-and-miss pitch for Harrison than a pitch he’s trying to zone, and even then the pitch gets a respectable 58% strike rate which is still above average for curveballs. If the Cardinals development group can get him to an extra mph or two of velocity, that will help his chances of making the majors even more. 

This isn’t the flashiest of picks, but it comes with good money savings in the 8th round, which the Cardinals can use to sign more high-ceiling picks, while still getting a player in Harrison who not only has a ton of SEC pedigree over his 4 seasons at Texas, but is a grade A competitor who wants the ball no matter the situation, and will at minimum give the farm system very productive innings in a starters capacity. With his competitiveness and ability to command the ball well, it shouldn’t be ruled out that Harrison could find himself in a backend starter or bulk innings bullpen role at the MLB level down the road.

Signing Bonus: $125,000 ($241,000)

C Jayden Lobliner (Ninth Round)

Jacob Lobiner found considerably more success after transferring from Kansas State to the University of San Diego. Following an inconsistent start to his collegiate career, he developed into one of the WCC's most well-rounded players over his final two seasons. Across 103 games, Lobiner slashed .291/.364/.497 while emerging as a reliable offensive contributor. He also established himself as one of the premier defenders in the conference, earning WCC Defensive Player of the Year honors in both 2025 and 2026.

Lobiner has an athletic setup with some rhythm in his stance, keeping his hands around head height while using subtle bat movement to stay loose before the pitch. He employs a high leg kick as his timing mechanism, but does a good job staying balanced over his back leg throughout the load. When he commits, he's direct to the baseball with a compact swing that works slightly downhill.

As mentioned earlier, Lobiner is a terrific defensive catcher, earning the WCC Defensive Player of the Year award in both 2025 and 2026. He provides a steady presence behind the plate, consistently limiting mistakes while excelling as a blocker. He also controlled the running game well, throwing out 16 base stealers – a 35.6% caught stealing rate – thanks to quick transfer times and solid pop times. Perhaps his most valuable defensive trait is his pitch framing. Lobiner consistently steals strikes on the edges of the zone, giving his pitchers extra calls throughout the game. He also earns high marks for his work with a pitching staff, from game planning to managing pitchers throughout an outing. That combination of receiving, leadership, and defensive reliability gives him a strong foundation as a professional catcher.

While Lobiner's offensive production looks solid on paper, there are still legitimate questions surrounding his hitting profile and the development needed for it to translate at the professional level. He tends to chase too often and doesn't consistently make quality swing decisions, leading to below-average contact rates. His 29.4% whiff rate is a concern and will need to come down if he's going to maximize his offensive potential. The encouraging part is the quality of contact when he does connect. Lobiner consistently hits the ball with authority and has enough raw power to impact the baseball. He slugged 10 home runs in 2026 while posting a 104.5 mph 90th-percentile exit velocity and a 108.4 mph max exit velocity.

Lobiner enters professional baseball with a clear path to providing value. His defense is already advanced enough to carry him through the lower levels of the minors, giving the Cardinals plenty of time to focus on refining his offensive approach. If he can improve his swing decisions and make more consistent contact, the raw power is there for him to become more than a defense-first catcher.

Signing Bonus: $25,000 ($210,600)

RHP Nick Bonn (Tenth Round)

Nick Bonn was a player who caught our group's attention after someone shared a side-view video of him pitching. After taking a closer look at his profile, it was easy to see why he stood out. The Cardinals clearly felt the same way, selecting him in the 10th round. Bonn finished his senior season with a 1-4 record, but the win-loss record doesn't tell the full story. Over 49.2 innings, he posted a 3.44 ERA while striking out 50 batters, showcasing the swing-and-miss ability and overall effectiveness that made him an intriguing mid-round target.

Bonn features a bit of an old-school delivery on the mound. He begins his windup by stepping behind the rubber before transitioning into a high leg kick. As he works down the mound, he creates impressive extension and utilizes a strong lead-leg block to help generate velocity. The biggest area of refinement will be his arm action. Bonn has a shorter, somewhat unconventional arm path, which the Cardinals will likely look to clean up as he develops. If they can improve the efficiency of his arm path while maintaining the athleticism in his delivery, there is potential for him to take another step forward.

Bonn is a three-pitch pitcher whose arsenal is headlined by his fastball. He fits the mold of what the Cardinals have traditionally targeted on the mound: a pitcher with a quality fastball from a lower release height. Bonn's fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s and has touched the upper 90s, while generating a little over 17 inches of induced vertical break. The pitch plays well given his 5-foot-2-inch release height and creates an effective approach angle. 

His primary secondary offering is a low-80s sweeper. While he doesn't generate much spin with the pitch, it has a strong movement profile and consistently produces swings and misses. His changeup, however, may be his most intriguing secondary. The pitch grades out as his best offering from a metric standpoint, generating significant vertical depth and strong movement characteristics. The biggest challenge is usage, as Bonn has yet to fully trust the pitch and rarely goes to it. If the Cardinals can help him gain confidence in the changeup and incorporate it more frequently, it could become a legitimate weapon in his arsenal.

Bonn is another arm the Cardinals should consider developing as a starter, as his pitch characteristics give him the foundation to become a quality rotation piece. The biggest hurdles will be improving his strike-throwing and building more confidence in his secondary offerings. The Cardinals could also look to expand his arsenal as he develops. One potential path could be adding more fastball variation, allowing him to utilize a three-fastball approach with his current heater, a sinker, and a cutter. If Bonn can improve his command and continue refining his pitch mix, he has the traits to outperform his draft position.

Signing Bonus: $150,000 ($197,400)

RHP Jacob Haley (Eleventh Round)

The Cardinals added another intriguing developmental arm in the 11th round with South Alabama right-hander Jacob Haley. Still only 20 years old, Haley spent his first two seasons as a two-way player before focusing exclusively on pitching in 2026. His athleticism shows up on the mound, where he is a quality mover. That transition paid off, as he posted a 3.07 ERA with a 32.3% strikeout rate while cutting his walk rate to 8.1%. He continued to perform on the Cape, recording a 1.38 ERA across 13 innings for Orleans.

Haley’s arsenal is headlined by a pair of power breaking balls. His 86 mph gyro slider generated a 41.2% whiff rate and held hitters to a .169 xwOBA, giving him a legitimate bat-missing weapon against right-handed hitters. He also throws an 84 mph power curveball with -9 inches of induced vertical break. The pitch did not produce the same results as the slider this year, but its velocity and movement give the Cardinals another promising offering to develop.

His fastball averages 94.1 mph with 18.2 inches of induced vertical break and a relatively flat -4.6-degree vertical approach angle. Haley also mixes in a cutter and changeup, giving him a deep enough arsenal to potentially handle a starting role. The quality of the breaking stuff provides more confidence in that projection than with a typical late-round bullpen arm.

Haley’s improved command is especially encouraging given his age and limited experience as a full-time pitcher. There is still plenty of refinement ahead, but the combination of two potential breaking-ball weapons, a quality fastball, athleticism, and improving strike-throwing gives him a legitimate chance to develop as a starter. Even if he ultimately moves to the bullpen, the raw stuff is strong enough for Haley to become an intriguing bullpen option.

Signing Bonus: $215,000 ($150,000)

RHP Drew Horn (Twelfth round)

A two-year starter at Middle Tennessee State, Horn had a rough 2026 season on the mound in which he posted a 7.32 ERA across 35.2 innings and 10 appearances, striking out 41 batters while walking 14 in an injury-riddled season. This came after a breakout 2025 junior campaign in which he posted a 1.75 ERA across 8 starts, striking out 57 in 46.1 innings. He also threw a 9-inning no-hitter in 2025 against Oakland, where he struck out 13 batters. 

Horn stands at 5’11 185 pounds. He starts with his hands at his chest, and then he lifts them to head level as he starts his waist-high leg kick. Horn doesn’t get down the mound the best; with his extension being in the 5’5-5’7 ft range, he then employs a lower ¾ arm slot, which allows him to get to a slightly lower 5’9 ft release height, which allows his fastball to work well at the top of the zone. 

Horn relied on his fastball just a bit over 50% of the time, and for good reason; the pitch averaged 19 inches of IVB at 93.8 mph on average with the ability to touch 98 mph. Horn’s fastball generated a solid 22.7% whiff rate. Horn’s most-used secondary is a high-spin mid-80s to upper-80s slider; he used the pitch around 16% of the time, and it generated a 36.5% whiff rate, including an impressive 31.1% in-zone whiff rate. Horn also features a 2900 RPM sweeper, sitting in the low 80s with 13.7 inches of horizontal break, generating a 35.3% whiff rate. Horn's feel for spin is amongst the best in the class, with his spin rate on all of his pitches being in the 84th percentile or higher. This should give the Cardinals development group confidence in Horn’s ability to manipulate the baseball and make new shapes. He also flashes a below-average changeup, which will need some work. Horn made progress going from a 13% walk rate in 2025 to an 8.4% walk rate in 2026, but he still lacks feel for both the sweeper and changeup, with his slider and fastball being the most trusted, throwing them for strikes just above 60%. 

If the Cardinals can help Horn gain a feel for the rest of his secondaries, he should be at least an average, if not above average, starter throughout the lower minors. Already sitting in the mid-90s with the fastball, if Horn can find an extra tick or two of velocity with his fastball, that could make it a true plus pitch. The fastball and slider give him a really good base as a reliever if the injuries keep affecting his starting path. 

Signing Bonus: $150,000 ($150,000)

OF Matthew Thomas (Thirteenth round) 

With their 13th round pick, the Cardinals went back to an area of the country that they are fairly familiar with, picking Cal State Northridge outfielder Matthew Thomas. After transferring from Cal Berkley Thomas put up a .335/.411/.679 slash line for a 172 WRC+ with 15 homers and 43 RBI in 53 games. Considering Thomas is a more power-over-hit tool type of hitter, his 19.5% strikeout rate to 9.1% walk rate was fairly impressive given his swing and miss. 

Thomas starts with an open stance from the right side of the plate. He starts with the bat resting on his back shoulder before lifting it so that the top of the bat is pointed towards the sky. He then features a small toe tap before he uses his strong hands to get his bat through the zone quickly and shows a strong ability to drive the baseball. 

As is a theme with the hitters selected in the second half of this draft, Thomas features thunderous raw power with his 95.1 mph average exit velocity ranking in the 99th percentile. He also features a 109.4 mph 90th percentile exit velocity, which ranks in the 98th percentile, as well as his 61.8% hard-hit rate ranking in the 99th percentile. The reason that Thomas lasted until the 13th round is that there are major questions with his bat-to-ball ability that showed up even in a non-major conference like the Big West. Thomas featured a 27.9% chase rate, which ranked in the 20th percentile, and his 78.8% in-zone contact rate ranked in the 18th percentile. If the Cardinals can help Thomas improve these areas of weakness, Thomas could have a chance to outperform where he was drafted and become some level of MLB contributor. 

Defensively, Thomas profiles as a pure corner outfielder with a solid arm. While he can get up to average speed, his routes and defensive ability are below average, and expecting him to play anything more than an average to slightly below average corner outfield would be a reach. He will certainly get the opportunity to play out there consistently through the lower minors. 

Signing Bonus: $175,000 ($150,000)

RHP Jaden Alba (Fourteenth Round)

In the 14th round, the Cardinals selected Arizona State right-hander Jaden Alba, a teammate of Derek Schaefer. Like Schaefer, Alba was used primarily out of the bullpen during the 2026 season, though he also made four starts for the Sun Devils. He finished the year with a 3-3 record and a 6.52 ERA across 49.2 innings. Alba's performance took a significant step forward after the college season in the Cape Cod League. Appearing in four games, including three starts, he posted a 1-0 record with a 1.13 ERA over 16 innings, showing the type of stuff that made him an intriguing Day 2 selection for the Cardinals.

Alba features a high leg kick that rises to chest level before he begins driving down the mound. As he separates, he does a good job sinking into his back hip, allowing him to generate power from his lower half. One area that could use refinement, however, is the timing of his delivery. At times, his arm lags behind the rest of his body, causing his sequencing to get out of sync. Improving that timing should help him repeat his delivery more consistently while potentially sharpening both his command and overall stuff.

Alba's arsenal is built around a low-90s fastball that can reach the mid-90s. Throwing from a lower release height, he creates favorable angles that allow the pitch to play particularly well at the top of the strike zone. While the movement profile isn't exceptional on its own, his release characteristics and spin traits help the fastball perform better than the raw metrics might suggest. His go-to secondary offering is a mid-80s slider with a strong movement profile and quality spin. While it's already an effective pitch, there may be room for even more with a grip adjustment that could unlock additional spin.

Alba also mixes in a curveball that he uses against both right and left-handed hitters. The pitch generates plenty of swings and misses within the strike zone, though it doesn't consistently entice hitters to chase outside of it. His most intriguing offering may be his kick-change. Despite using it sparingly, the pitch flashes plus potential. Alba does an excellent job killing spin, creating a movement profile that consistently gets hitters to swing over the top of it. The results back up the quality of the pitch, as it generated elite swing-and-miss rates and allowed virtually no hard contact. If he grows more comfortable throwing it regularly, the kick-change could become one of the best pitches in his arsenal.

Alba is another pitcher with intriguing traits, but he'll require some development to unlock his full potential. If the Cardinals can put him on the right development plan, refining his delivery, improving his command, and encouraging greater confidence in his full arsenal, he has the tools to emerge as a reliable prospect. Given the flashes he showed, particularly in the Cape Cod League, Alba is the type of arm worth betting on in the later rounds.

Signing Bonus: $150,000 ($150,000)

RHP Brian Garmon II (Fifteenth Round)

After selecting Jacob Haley in the 11th round, the Cardinals returned to South Alabama for his teammate Brian Garmon II. Garmon struggled to find consistent results throughout his college career, finishing with a 6.99 ERA across four seasons, but he showed improvement during his senior year. He posted a 4.09 ERA over 11 innings while issuing only three walks, a notable step forward after command issues plagued his first three seasons.

Garmon’s arsenal is built around a low-launch fastball that averages 95 mph from a 5.5-foot release height. The pitch generates 15.4 inches of induced vertical break and a flat -4.6-degree vertical approach angle, allowing it to play well at the top of the strike zone despite an otherwise pedestrian movement profile. It produced a 24.6% whiff rate in 2026, giving him a solid foundational offering to build around.

His primary secondary is a mid-to-high-80s slider-cutter hybrid that generated a strong whiff rate while accounting for roughly 20% of his pitch usage. Garmon also mixes in a changeup that sits around 89 mph. His feel for spin and ability to consistently create quality breaking-ball shapes remain underdeveloped, making the refinement of his secondary arsenal a major point of emphasis in professional ball. Developing greater confidence in the changeup will also be important as he works to establish a reliable weapon against opposite-handed hitters.

Garmon’s improved command in 2026 gives the Cardinals something to build on, but his limited track record and subpar secondary stuff make him a clear developmental project. The fastball velocity and release characteristics give him a potential path to a bullpen role, though he will need to sharpen the slider-cutter or develop another reliable secondary to generate consistent swing-and-miss against professional hitters.

Signing Bonus: $50,000 ($150,000)

RHP Dallis Moran (Sixteenth Round) 

For the second year in a row, the Cardinals selected a Stetson Hatter during the draft with Ty Van Dyke in 2025 and now Dallis Moran this year. Moran posted a 5.46 ERA this season for the Hatters across 20 games, striking out 43 batters in 28 innings while walking 18 batters. He then played in the MLB Draft League this summer, where he posted a 2.08 ERA in 13 innings while striking out 18 batters and only walking 5. 

Moran has a fairly traditional setup with his hands starting at his stomach. He then lifts them to his chest as his stomach-high leg kick starts; he then strides down the mound and uses a ¾ arm slot to get to a lower 5’6 ft release height, allowing his low 90s fastball to play well in the upper third of the zone. When Moran goes to his high-spin curveball, he utilizes a slightly higher arm slot, which makes that pitch come in from a 5’7-5’8 ft release height, getting plenty of downward movement. 

Moran’s fastball averaged 92 mph this year at Stetson, getting 18 inches of IVB from a 5’6 ft release height, which allowed the pitch to have elite movement at the top of the zone and to generate a 29.1% whiff rate. Off the fastball, Moran features two primary secondaries in his cutter and curveball. The cutter, which looks more like a slider, averaged in the mid-80s with 2600 RPM of spin, allowing the pitch to get 6 inches of horizontal movement. It generated a 31.3% whiff rate, which ranked in the 71st percentile amongst cutters. Moran’s curveball was his best swing-and-miss pitch, generating a 47.8% whiff rate. The pitch averaged 77 mph with an impressive 18.8 inches of drop, which ranked in the 99.7th percentile amongst curveballs in D1 baseball. Moran also has a rarely used mid-80s changeup with 15.8 inches of horizontal break and an impressive 47.4% whiff rate in limited action. The obvious area for improvement in Moran’s game is the lack of command, as he only threw his fastball for strikes above 60%, with all three secondaries being in the low 50s; an improved feel for his secondaries will be key to his pro development.

If Moran can improve his command, he could profile as a solid reliever with a chance to make it to the MLB level. Finding an extra tick or two of velocity on what is a really good movement profile for the fastball could help boost the pitch into true plus territory. Moran is an interesting pitcher with dynamic enough stuff that he could perform beyond his draft slot if the Cardinals can help him improve command. 

Signing Bonus: $100,000 ($150,000)

3B Jacob Johnson (Seventeenth Round)

The Cardinals took a late-round shot on power upside with Saint Mary’s infielder Jacob Johnson. Johnson broke out in his lone season with the Gaels, slashing .338/.428/.633 with 15 home runs and a 159 wRC+. Had he produced at that level in a stronger conference, there is a good chance he would have come off the board much earlier.

Johnson’s carrying tool is his ability to impact the baseball. His 92.9 mph average exit velocity ranked in the 96th percentile, while his 57.4% hard-hit rate ranked in the 97th percentile. He also showed a special ability to lift the ball to his pull side, posting a 71.4% line-drive-and-fly-ball pull rate that ranked in the 99th percentile. That combination gives him a clear path to producing legitimate game power in professional baseball.

Johnson is an aggressive hitter who swung at 79.1% of pitches in the strike zone. His contact numbers were respectable, including an 84.6% in-zone contact rate, but they could back up against better competition, especially given his below-average ability to make contact outside the zone. The Cardinals are clearly betting that the power will be loud enough to carry the profile even if the hit tool is fringy.

Defensively, Johnson has a corner-only profile and will likely begin his professional career at third base, where he has a chance to be an average defender. That puts plenty of pressure on the bat, but the power gives him a chance to clear the offensive bar required for the position. For a 17th-round pick, Johnson offers a clear carrying tool and enough offensive upside to outperform his draft position.

Signing Bonus: $150,000 ($150,000)

OF/1B Gabe Camacho (Eighteenth Round)

For the third time in the last 10 rounds of the draft, the Cardinals pick up a West Coast position player, picking up UC San Diego’s single-season home run record holder, Gabe Camacho. Camacho slashed .267/.403/.576 this season for the Tritons, picking up 16 homers and 13 doubles across 55 games. He earned all First-Team honors for the Big West Conference, giving the Cardinals three draftees on that list (Matthew Thomas and Nick Bonn).

Standing at 6’1 220 pounds, Camacho is well built and starts with an open stance. He then lifts his front leg and swings it around to get it parallel with his back leg. His hands start in front of him, at chest level, similar to Andrew Williamson. He points his bat back at the pitcher before whipping his hands through the zone with a swing that is mostly built towards line drives and ground balls, currently rather than true loft. 

Camacho features an interesting blend of contact and power, which the Cardinals believe they can build on as he continues to refine his approach. His 88.1 mph average exit velocity and 104.2 mph 90th-percentile exit velocity are both above average, though these numbers were posted in the Big West rather than a power conference, and neither is in the elite category. A conservative approach at the plate (60.3% Z-Swing%), Camacho balances not swinging that much with a solid 88.6% in-zone contact rate, though despite not swinging that much, Camacho can be chase-prone with a 23.6% chase rate on the season. Even with solid in-zone numbers, Camacho struggles out of zone, only posting a 59.8% out-of-zone contact rate. When Camacho does make hard contact, he maximizes it by getting it to the pull side consistently with a 51.85 hard-hit pull%, which ranked in the 96th percentile amongst all D1 players. Camacho will have to refine his approach and get the ball in the air more consistently if he wants to succeed in pro ball. 

Defensively, the Cardinals announced Camacho as an outfielder when they drafted him, though for the vast majority of his time with UC San Diego, he played first base. Given that the Cardinals announced him as an outfield i’d imagine they will at least give him a chance to play out there, where he profiles as below average. If he can’t stick in the outfield, moving back to first, where he seems to move well enough and have good hands, would be a solid backup plan. 

Given that this was an 18th-round pick, Camacho has interesting enough traits to maybe profile as a solid upper minor league bat. If he can continue to refine his approach to chase less and maybe find a bit more power, he could profile as a solid contact hitter with average to slightly above average power, at a corner outfield or 1B. 

Signing Bonus: $150,000 ($150,000)

Cardinals Prospects Team
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Final 2026 Cardinals Mock Draft