Attention all St. Louis Cardinals fans! We have an exciting prospect to unveil, and his name is Joshua Baez. Baez is a rising star, currently ranked as the #5 prospect in the Cardinals' system. The recent vote for the #4 spot was a close call, with Baez just 14 votes shy of Quinn Mathews. This is a testament to his growing popularity and potential. In a poll with eight other talented players, Baez secured over half the votes, solidifying his position. The current top five prospects are: JJ Wetherholt, Liam Doyle, Rainiel Rodriguez, Quinn Mathews, and our very own Joshua Baez.
But here's where it gets interesting... We often discuss comparable players, and last week, we ran a poll to decide who to add to this list. Today, we're taking a slightly different approach. You see, there's a unique category of prospects who could vary greatly in their rankings across different platforms. Some might place them in the top 20, while others might consider them outside the top 50. It's a tricky situation, and we need your input to gauge their popularity.
So, we're introducing a 'Comparable Player Corner' to shed light on these intriguing prospects. Today, we're comparing two players who are likely to be in Memphis soon and have a decent shot at making their MLB debut. These players share a similar trajectory but not much else.
Meet Blaze Jordan, a right-handed player with a unique selling point - his age. Drafted straight out of high school, Jordan has been a professional since 2020 and recently turned 23. He's already accumulated over 300 PAs in AAA, which is impressive. Think of him as a right-handed version of Alec Burleson, but with some questions about his contact quality. However, his free-swinging nature and ability to make consistent contact could be a real asset.
On the other hand, we have Bryan Torres, a versatile performer who can play anywhere. His pro career began as a catcher, so he's got the skills to be an emergency option behind the plate. Torres dominated AAA, but the question remains: will his stats translate to the majors? His age, 28 next season, is a factor. While 26 and 27-year-olds often excel in AAA, continuing that success in the majors is a different story. This uncertainty is reflected in the wide range of projections he has received.
Now, let's talk about some new additions to our prospect list. As promised, we're adding Brycen Mautz, who had an exceptional season in AA. Mautz is on the 40-man roster and has a good chance of making his MLB debut in 2026. We're also introducing Jesus Baez, a recent trade acquisition. Baez is likely to make a splash and land in the top 20, so it's the perfect time to add him to the mix.
And here's a fun fact: Jesus Baez is replacing Joshua Baez on our list, which is quite the coincidence! We'll have a Baez in the voting for quite some time, and it all worked out rather nicely. It could have been confusing if they were on the same ballot, but we avoided that potential pitfall.
Jesus Baez, an infielder, plays mostly at SS but is unlikely to stay there long-term. The Cardinals have given him some time at DH, so his position is still up for debate. Leonardo Bernal, a 22-year-old catcher, is also joining our list. Bernal had a solid season in AA, but his BABIP was a bit lower than expected. However, he improved his strikeout rate, which is a positive sign.
Next up, we have Brandon Clarke, a 23-year-old left-handed pitcher. Clarke's innings were limited due to injuries, including nagging blister issues. Despite this, he showed great potential, striking out a lot of batters and inducing groundballs. Jimmy Crooks, a 24-year-old catcher, had a rough time in the MLB, but his AAA performance was impressive. We shouldn't judge him solely on those 15 games in the majors.
Tink Hence, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, has been struggling with injuries, but his talent is undeniable. Ixan Henderson, a 24-year-old left-hander, has some impressive scouting reports, with his fastball and slider being his strongest pitches. Cooper Hjerpe, a 25-year-old lefty, is recovering from Tommy John surgery and should be ready to pitch soon. Brycen Mautz, as mentioned earlier, had an outstanding season in AA.
Deniel Ortiz, a 21-year-old first baseman/third baseman, is a player to watch. He's shown great potential, but scouts are still warming up to him. Tekoah Roby, a 24-year-old right-hander, had Tommy John surgery last year but is expected to make a full recovery.
So, Cardinals fans, what do you think about these prospects? Who do you think will make a big impact in the coming seasons? We'd love to hear your thoughts and predictions in the comments below! Let's discuss and keep the conversation going!
