Cardinals' draft prediction favors bankable projection over high-risk profiles

Cardinals’ draft prediction favors bankable projection over high-risk profiles originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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This season, the St. Louis Cardinals are fully committed to their rebuild. So, not much was expected from them coming into the 2026 season. 

However, nobody told any of the players that they weren’t expected to string together wins consistently. But, going into Friday’s games, they hold a 37-29 record, which puts them in second place in the National League Central. 

They are just four games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, and one good week could flip the standings. So, while the team looks to close the gap, the front office is getting its draft plans dialed in. 

MORE: Why a potential Cardinals trade of a beloved outfielder would ‘make the most sense’

Cardinals’ draft prediction favors bankable projection over high-risk profiles

The Cardinals come into this draft with the No. 13 pick. So, there will surely have to be a few options in mind, because you never know how the draft will play out. 

The front office has been comfortable taking college talent as of late. Their first five first-round picks were all college athletes, and that trend might not change as The Athletic’s Keith Law predicts they will take TCU outfielder Sawyer Strosnider.

“This selection would be more of a concession to the board, a solid pick but maybe not one the Cardinals are excited about. The pick would get them one probable everyday player in the bad to then go for upside at picks 32 and 50. I think they’d be on Derek Cureil if he got here, but probably not on any high school arms.”

Law explains that the picks the Cardinals could be really into likely will be gone when they hit the clock. So, they can take the best logical player on the board and then gamble on upside with their later picks. 

Expect them to go after a high school talent or maybe a pitcher with electric stuff, but slid due to injury with those later picks. 

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