Other outlets are more optimistic about the St. Louis Cardinals' prospects compared to Baseball America's outlook
The St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system is a blend of promising prospects and areas that need improvement, according to various baseball analysts.
Doyle and Quinn Mathews have been highlighted as quality left-handed starting prospects for the Cardinals, with some progress made by these prospects at the upper levels, as reported by ESPN. Rodriguez, the third-best Cardinals prospect according to Baseball America, is seen as ready for a challenge in the minors.
However, not all news outlets are as confident in the Cardinals' young prospects. Baseball America believes that the Cardinals have some more work to do in their minor league system, with the team ranked 14th-best in major league farm systems by the publication. ESPN, on the other hand, ranks the Cardinals 9th-best, applauding the team's draft picks and trade acquisitions.
One of the notable absences from Baseball America's top 100 is JJ Wetherholt, who is already listed in MLB Pipeline's Top-100. Wetherholt, ranked 5th by Baseball America, is considered a potential reinforcement for the Cardinals' major league roster. The only other Cardinals minor leaguer in Baseball America's top 100 is Liam Doyle, picked 25th in the 2025 first-round draft.
Position player depth, specifically at catcher and in the outfield, is noted by Baseball America in the Cardinals' minor league system. However, no "sure thing" infield prospects are mentioned beyond Wetherholt, particularly for right-handed hitting options.
The Cardinals are currently lacking top-end righty talent on both the pitching and infield sides of the ball. Tink Hence, Tekoah Roby, and Sem Robberse have struggled with staying healthy for extended periods, leaving a void in the righty pitching department.
Potential reinforcements for the Cardinals' righty pitching needs include Tanner Franklin, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt. Additionally, potential reinforcements from the Cardinals' minor league not yet in MLB Pipeline's Top 100 include pitcher Skylar Hales, who was traded to the Cardinals in July 2025 and has shown promising performance at Double-A and Triple-A levels.
Leonardo Bernal and Rainiel Rodriguez, ranked 69th and 3rd respectively by MLB Pipeline, did not make Baseball America's list. The Cardinals have work to do to get back into playoff contention, but their minor league prospects are expected to provide some improvement to the major league roster.
The Cardinals moved up from 19th place in minor league rankings the previous year, according to ESPN, showing some progress in their farm system development. The Cardinals' minor league system has been impressing some news outlets, but there is still room for improvement, particularly in the righty talent department. The team's success in the upcoming seasons will largely depend on how these prospects perform and whether they can fill the gaps in the roster.
