Who Has the Best Tools in the Cardinals Farm System?
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The Cardinals have an increasingly deep pool of talent in their farm system. Several prospects have fascinating individual tools that make them stand out from the rest of the prospects, not only in the Cardinals’ system but also throughout all of minor league baseball. In this article, I am going to go over which prospects I believe have the best individual tools in the system.
Best Hit - JJ Wetherholt (65-grade)
Wetherholt’s hit tool has been well-known since his days at West Virginia University, where he hit .449 as a sophomore against Big 12 competition. Since entering the Cardinals system after the 2024 draft, Wetherholt has been the best hitter in the system, and that continued in 2025, when he hit .306 with 72 walks to 73 strikeouts while also posting an 18.55% chase rate, one of the best marks in the minor leagues. He did give up a bit of contact ability this year to unlock additional power, and it showed with 17 homers, which was near the top of the system in 2025. Wetherholt’s versatility as a hitter impressed me the most in 2025.
Others under Consideration - Rainiel Rodriguez (60), Ryan Mitchell (60)
Best Power - Rainiel Rodriguez (65-grade)
While Wetherholt being the best pure hitter in the system was expected, the ease of Rodriguez's transition from the DSL to stateside competition was the most impressive storyline of the 2025 season. Rodriguez showcased his primary tool, his power, hitting 20 homers across three levels at only 18 years old. While at Palm Beach, Rodriguez ranked in the 80th percentile or better in xSLG, Max EV, 90th EV, and Barrel %, and he translated that power in-game with ease thanks to an elite 29.40% pull-air rate, which ranked in the 95th percentile. Considering his age, hard-hit ability, and ability to pull the ball in the air, Rodriguez looks like a potential 30+ homer-per-year type player if he continues progressing.
Others under Consideration - Joshua Baez (65), Josh Kross (60), Deniel Ortiz (60)
Best Baserunner - Joshua Baez (65-grade)
Joshua Baez was without a doubt the most impressive runner in the system this season, stealing 54 bases while being caught only 9 times for an 86% success rate. Baez also used his speed in the outfield to make up for some poor reads and even played CF a handful of times, a position he could play at the MLB level, likely part-time if his reads continue improving.
Others under Consideration - Yairo Padilla (60), Yancel Guerrero (55), Kenly Hunter (55)
Best Infield Arm - Leonardo Bernal (70-grade)
Bernal won a minor league Gold Glove this year on the strength of his incredibly impressive arm behind the plate, throwing out 39% of baserunners, one of the top marks in all of minor league baseball. Bernal’s arm has been highly regarded for a few years now, as he also threw out 35% of baserunners at Peoria in 2024. Bernal is one of the most balanced prospects in the system, pairing standout defense with consistent offensive performance throughout his time in the organization.
Others under Consideration - Yairo Padilla (60), Cade McGee (60)
Best Infield Defender - Yairo Padilla (60-grade)
While I haven’t seen Padilla play SS in a game yet, I watched him on the backfields at Roger Dean during Spring Training, and his athleticism and arm strength stood out immediately. He has great range at the position, confirmed by most scouts, and pairs it with one of the best arms in the system. Only 18 years old, he is still learning how to fully utilize that range, as he committed 12 errors this year in the FCL, but the talent is undeniable.
Others under Consideration - Jeremy Rivas (60), Leonardo Bernal (60), JJ Wetherholt (55), Cade McGee (55)
Best Outfield Arm - Joshua Baez (70-grade)
Joshua Baez also showcased one of the best outfield arms in the system, recording 9 outfield assists between Peoria and Springfield, one behind Luis Pino, who had 10 at Palm Beach. I am giving Baez the edge because he has demonstrated this arm strength at a higher level than Pino, even if Pino had one more assist. It is extremely close, though.
Others under Consideration - Luis Pino (65), Yordalin Pena (60), Chase Davis (60)
Best Outfield Defender - Chase Davis (60-grade)
If you search for Chase Davis highlights from 2025, you will likely find him either running down a ball in the gap or making a spectacular diving catch. I saw this firsthand during an August game when he made an incredible diving play in the eighth inning. While his bat has developed more slowly, Davis has made major defensive improvements year over year, and I am confident he can now play CF, which is a big plus for his development as it reduces pressure on his bat to be above-average.
Others under Consideration - Matthew Miura (60), Kenly Hunter (55)
Best Athlete - Joshua Baez
This one was a no-brainer for me. Baez was one of only two players in all of MiLB to post a 20/50 season, 20 homers and 54 stolen bases, alongside the number one prospect in baseball, Konnor Griffin. Baez has a top-two power tool in the system, along with being the best baserunner and possessing the top outfield arm. His hit and fielding tools are also steadily improving. If any prospect in the Cardinals system has the potential to rise into the top 10 in all of baseball, it is Baez, who has legitimate 30/30 potential if he can fully put everything together.
Others under Consideration - JJ Wetherholt, Yairo Padilla
Best Fastball - Liam Doyle (70-grade)
Doyle having the best fastball in the system is as predictable as Wetherholt having the best hit tool. Doyle possessed the best fastball in the 2025 draft, earning him the number five overall selection. His fastball averaged around 20 inches of IVB during his junior season at Tennessee and had a 40% swing-and-miss rate. That dominance continued in his two starts at Palm Beach and Springfield, where he struck out 6 batters in 3.2 innings. If Doyle is going to reach his front-line starter potential, it will be built on the foundation of his elite fastball.
Others under Consideration - Tanner Franklin (70), Frank Elissalt (60)
Best Cutter - Jack Findlay (55-grade)
Findlay, the Cardinals' 8th-round pick in 2024 out of Notre Dame, was recovering from Tommy John surgery when selected, which delayed his debut until 2025. He posted a 4.90 ERA in 60.2 innings with 67 strikeouts. With cutters tending to be more of a bridge pitch, it’s tough to find a genuine plus cutter, but Findlay’s cutter is very unique and his primary pitch. Findlay is a name to watch in 2026 as he works his velocity back toward his 2023 levels at Notre Dame.
Others under Consideration - Liam Doyle (55), Tanner Franklin (50)
Best Slider - Brandon Clarke (70-grade)
As I discussed in my article analyzing whether the Cardinals possess the number one farm system, the organization has been relatively weak in terms of sliders, ranking 24th in Stuff+. The Cardinals addressed this by acquiring one of the best sliders in the minor leagues in Brandon Clarke as part of the Sonny Gray trade. His slider gets some sweep (10" HB) while sitting in the high 80s and touching 91 mph, generating a 66% whiff rate with 34% usage. He has a strong feel for the pitch and locates it well at the bottom of the zone. Paired with a high-90s fastball and elite extension, Clarke is among the most intriguing pitchers in the system.
Others under Consideration - Mason Burns (60), Randel Clemente (60), Quinn Mathews (55), Brycen Mautz (55), Ixan Henderson (55)
Best Curveball - Tekoah Roby (60-grade)
This selection may have been even easier than picking Doyle for best fastball. Roby has long been known for his beautiful 12–6 curveball. The pitch has results that match the aesthetics, producing a .213 xBA and a 39.70% whiff rate at AAA Memphis. Unfortunately, we likely won’t see Roby until 2027 following Tommy John surgery, but when he returns, his curveball will need to continue dominating for him to succeed.
Others under Consideration - Cade Winquest (55)
Best Changeup - Luis Gastelum (70-grade)
This was easily the most competitive category, as the Cardinals have a a plethora of excellent changeups throughout the organization. Luis Gastelum earns the top spot because he uses his changeup heavily, and the results are undeniable. Of his 317 Statcast-tracked changeups, 50.8% resulted in called strikes or whiffs. He also recorded one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors this year at AA with a 35.4% K-rate, with the majority of those strikeouts coming via his exceptional changeup.
Others under Consideration - Tink Hence (65), Quinn Mathews (65), Braden Davis (65), Mason Molina (60), Cade Crossland (60)
Best Control - Pete Hansen (60-grade)
Pete Hansen ranked 41st among all minor league pitchers in walk rate with a 6.3% BB%, the best among all full-season affiliate pitchers. This strong command was a major factor in Hansen’s successful season at AA, where he posted a 3.93 ERA across 137.1 innings, helping Springfield capture the Texas League title alongside his outstanding teammates Brycen Mautz and Ixan Henderson. While Hansen often took a back seat to those two, I wanted to give him his flowers for an excellent season with this selection.
Others under Consideration - Juan Garcia (60), Brian Holiday (55)
