St. Louis Cardinals expert shares unexpected forecast for the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft
Fifth Overall Pick in 2025 MLB Draft: A Decision to Make
The St. Louis Cardinals are all set to make yet another exciting pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, this time nabbing the fifth spot. This will mark the second consecutive year the Cardinals will select within the top seven picks - a first for the storied franchise.
Last year, with their first-round pick, the Cardinals snapped up utility infielder JJ Wetherholt, who turned out to be one of the best hitting prospects in the class. The good fortune continued, as the pick was widely lauded as one of the best decisions across the league.
However, the Cardinals might not have it so easy this year. Ethan Holliday, son of former Cardinal Matt Holliday, is the consensus first overall pick. Following Holliday, the talent pool includes LHP Liam Doyle, LHP Kade Anderson, LHP Jamie Arnold, SS Eli Willits, SS Aiva Arquette, and others[1]. The talent pool in this year's draft is particularly strong, so the Cardinals will be welcoming their pick with anticipation.
Insight: The Cardinals have consistently displayed a knack for making shrewd draft picks, especially when it comes to position players[2].
Eli Willits: A Top Contender
According to most outlets, the Cardinals are increasingly linked to prep shortstop Eli Willits[1]. This Oklahoma native stands at 6'1", hailing from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School. Willits is a versatile switch-hitter, demonstrating better skills as a lefty, but boasting a commendable bat-to-ball ratio and contact skills[1]. Scouts see Willits retaining his shortstop position, although center field might also be a viable option.
However, it's surprising to see the Cardinals show interest in a middle infielder like Willits, given their abundance of middle infielders such as Masyn Winn, Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman, Thomas Saggese, and JJ Wetherholt[1]. One Cardinals insider even suggests that the Cardinals could opt for a position player with this selection[1].
St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Take: A Position Player?
Derrick Goold, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, has a firm belief that the Cardinals will choose a position player with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft[1]. Eli Willits fits the bill, being a legitimate shortstop with speed, a solid arm, and a strong hit tool[1]. If the Cardinals indeed draft Willits, it could prove to be an excellent pick at the fifth spot.
But considering the team's thin pitching depth, one might wonder if it wouldn't be wiser to draft a pitcher like Jamie Arnold or Kade Anderson instead[1]. Pitchers come at a premium, and the rising cost of starting pitchers in free agency leaves the Cardinals scrambling for reinforcements. Drafting a college pitcher could provide immediate returns, as they could make their way to the major leagues sooner than a position player like Willits or Aiva Arquette[1].
However, Goold defends his stance, stating that the Cardinals aim to capitalize on the opportunity presented by a top-five pick by grabbing an impact hitter[1]. The last two times the Cardinals selected within the top seven, they opted for position players, with mixed results – JJ Wetherholt and JD Drew[1]. Given their history, swerving from their winning strategy may seem counterintuitive.
The Balancing Act: Need vs. Potential
Still, need should play a crucial role in the Cardinals' decision-making process. While they are abundant in middle infielders, the team's pitching staff could use some reinforcements, especially if promising pitchers like Arnold or Anderson are available[1]. If the Cardinals need to prioritize pitching, they might have to reconsider going for a position player, unless the opportunity to select Ethan Holliday, the consensus first overall pick, arises[1].
The Cardinals, renowned for their strategic drafting of position players, might consider another hitter in the 2025 MLB Draft, especially Eli Willits, a prep shortstop and top contender. On the contrary, the team's scouts note the need to address their thin pitching depth, raising the question of whether they should opt for a pitcher like Jamie Arnold or Kade Anderson instead, as these prospects could offer immediate returns.
