Redbird Farmhands’ Top 30 Prospects: Post-Deadline (20–11)
Credit: Palm Beach Cardinals
20. RHP Chen-Wei Lin
Fastball: 60 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
Good: Lin’s fastball and changeup combination gives him two legitimate weapons. The fastball plays well because it sits in the high 90s coming from his 6’7” frame, and the changeup is arguably the best pitch in his arsenal and his go-to out pitch. Overall, his profile fits exactly what stuff models and analytically driven organizations covet.
Bad: After showing vastly improved command in 2024, Lin has taken a significant step back in 2025. He walked just 2.8 batters per nine innings in Palm Beach last year, but that figure has ballooned to 7.2 per nine across three levels this season. Some of this may be attributed to injuries, as he has been limited to only 41 innings as of September 1. Already 23 years old (turning 24 before next season), Lin needs to show progress with his command soon.
19. LHP Braden Davis
Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 65 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
Good: Davis’s changeup plays beautifully off his fastball, making it one of the most effective whiff-generating pitches in the minor leagues. At Palm Beach, it produced a 60.26% whiff rate. While his fastball and slider are solid in their own right, they serve more as setup pitches for the changeup. This approach has helped Davis record the second-highest whiff rate among all MiLB pitchers at 42 percent.
Bad: The biggest concern is his walk rate. Davis has issued six walks per nine innings this year, a number that is far too high. The Cardinals have been working to simplify his mechanics in an effort to limit the walks. At Peoria, he has shown modest improvement, with a reduced rate of 5.3 per nine innings. Continued progress in this area could put him on track to develop into a solid mid-rotation starter.
18. LHP Cade Crossland
Fastball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45
Good: Crossland shares similarities with Davis, as both are Oklahoma left-handers who broke out in college thanks to their excellent changeups. Where Crossland may hold the edge is his fastball velocity. He typically sits between 91–94 mph but can reach 98 mph, which suggests he may unlock more consistent mid-90s velocity with further refinement of his mechanics.
Bad: Crossland’s walk rate this year mirrors Davis’s struggles in 2024, raising questions about whether he will encounter the same command issues moving forward. That said, Crossland’s delivery is simpler, which may give him a better chance at throwing consistent strikes. His slider, however, remains below average and will require developmental work.
17. OF Chase Davis
Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45
Good: Davis has made noticeable strides defensively in 2025, showcasing the ability to make highlight-reel diving catches and cover significant ground in the outfield. His play this season suggests he could be a legitimate center fielder at the next level. Offensively, he has shown improvement since the All-Star break, producing a .727 OPS in the second half.
Bad: Offense has been the main struggle in 2025 following a strong 2024 campaign. Davis has had particular trouble handling inside pitches, and Double-A pitchers have exploited his passivity at the plate. He has also been vulnerable against left-handed pitching, batting just .198 with a .596 OPS across 121 at-bats. Additionally, his power production has been underwhelming for a former first-round pick, with only 10 home runs to date.
16. INF Deniel Ortiz
Hit: 45 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45+
Good: Ortiz has displayed impressive raw power throughout the season between Palm Beach and Peoria. He ranks in the 90th percentile or better in Barrel%, Hard-Hit%, Exit Velocity, Median Exit Velocity, and Expected Slugging. His ability to elevate the ball, shown by his 86th percentile Pull Air% at Palm Beach, has translated into a .299 average with 13 home runs in his age-20 season. Despite below-average speed, Ortiz is a savvy baserunner, stealing 38 bases this year.
Bad: Like many young power hitters, Ortiz struggles with swing-and-miss tendencies. He posted a 32% whiff rate and struck out nearly 30% of the time at Palm Beach, among the highest rates in the Florida State League. He tends to be overly conservative at the plate, which helps his chase rate but prevents him from fully capitalizing on hittable pitches. Defensively, he remains a work in progress, though he has shown some improvement at third base as the season has progressed.
15. RHP Nate Dohm
Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45+
Good: Aside from his changeup, Dohm’s arsenal is strong. In 75 innings, he has struck out 90 batters while posting a 3.24 ERA. His fastball sits in the mid-90s with strong vertical movement, generating whiffs. The slider pairs well with the fastball and produced a 32% whiff rate in the Florida State League. While he has used the curveball sparingly, metrics suggest it could be a valuable offering if reintroduced.
Bad: Dohm’s changeup remains his weakest pitch, raising concerns that he could struggle against left-handed hitters as he advances. His walk rate has also ticked up since joining the Cardinals, though he showed excellent control at Mississippi State, where he was among the national leaders in walk rate. The Cardinals and Mets have both carefully managed his workload due to past forearm injuries, which has kept his innings limited.
14. RHP Tanner Franklin
Fastball: 70 | Cutter: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45+
Good: Franklin’s arm talent is elite, headlined by a fastball that consistently sits in the high 90s, averaging 96.4 mph in his first Palm Beach start. The pitch combines velocity and movement, making it one of the best fastballs in the Cardinals system. His cutter, more of a weak-contact pitch, complements the fastball. He also flashed an intriguing slider that generated a 50% whiff rate in his early appearances. Despite limited professional experience, Franklin already shows promise as a future starter.
Bad: Control has long been Franklin’s biggest weakness. He walked over 20% of batters at Kennesaw State, though Tennessee helped him clean up his mechanics, improving his command significantly. Early in his pro career, he has still struggled, issuing four walks in 4.1 innings, though the small sample suggests room for optimism. His changeup is still raw and will need focused development heading into 2026.
13. LHP Ixan Henderson
Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45+
Good: Henderson has quietly been one of the most consistent performers in the Cardinals system. Despite being aggressively assigned to Double-A Springfield, he has emerged as one of the Texas League’s best pitchers, ranking second in ERA (2.49) and third in strikeouts (127). Over three minor league seasons, he has posted a stellar 2.38 career ERA. While his fastball lacks premium velocity, he attacks hitters effectively with it. His sweeping slider serves as his primary out pitch, consistently inducing awkward swings.
Bad: There is little to criticize about Henderson’s 2025 campaign. At times, he can be prone to issuing walks, particularly in outings where hitters are able to extend at-bats by fouling off his fastball. However, those instances have been infrequent, and overall, Henderson has been highly reliable.
12. LHP Cooper Hjerpe
Fastball: 55 | Sweeper: 60 | Changeup: 60 | Cutter: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45+
Good: Hjerpe’s arsenal is unique and highly effective. His fastball plays up due to deception from his arm angle, despite averaging in the low 90s. He pairs it with a sweeper that neutralizes left-handed hitters and a changeup that works well against right-handers. Across his first two seasons, opponents have batted under .200 against him, while he has struck out 12.2 batters per nine innings. If healthy, Hjerpe has the ceiling of a top-of-the-rotation starter.
Bad: Durability has been Hjerpe’s main obstacle. Since being drafted in the first round in 2022, he has dealt with recurring elbow issues, limiting him to only 93.1 innings across two minor league seasons. He missed all of 2025 and part of 2026 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The hope is that the procedure resolves his elbow concerns, allowing him to finally stay healthy. Additionally, he has averaged 5.1 walks per nine innings in his career, an area that could improve with consistent innings.
11. OF Ryan Mitchell
Hit: 60 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45+
Good: Evaluating high school players before they make their professional debut is challenging, but Mitchell’s tools stand out. Based on scouting reports and showcase data, his hit tool appears advanced, with above-average bat-to-ball skills and strong plate discipline for his age. His athleticism suggests he could handle center field at a high level, even if his arm is closer to average. This profile comes with volatility, but Mitchell’s upside is significant.
Bad: Without professional data, concerns remain speculative. Some scouts questioned his infield defense, which likely influenced the decision to shift him to the outfield. His power is also still developing, as he posted average-to-below-average hard-hit rates on the prep circuit. While I currently grade his power as a 45, there is room for growth to a 50 or 55 if he continues to add strength.
