Tracking the Low-Profile Draft Selections of the 2024 St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals had a stroke of luck in the MLB draft for the past two years and are eyeing another Golden Opportunity in the upcoming amateur draft. Last season, they bagged the seventh overall pick and nabbed JJ Wetherholt, a West Virginia infield star who was seen slipping down the rankings due to an injury. He's been tearing up Double-A Springfield with a .284 batting average and a walk-to-strikeout ratio of 18-17, along with 12 extra-base hits and six stolen bases. By all accounts, the Cardinals' top prospect and 20th ranked overall player has proven his readiness to climb up the organizational ladder quickly.
Heading into the 2024 draft, the Cardinals hold the fifth pick, a spot where they've shown they can make a splash. Beyond their luck with Wetherholt, there are several other draftees who've been thriving in the lower tiers of the minor leagues, ready to outperform their draft slots.
St. Louis has talented draft picks making a name in the minors
Ryan Campos, C (Round 4)
Arizona State catcher Ryan Campos was a semifinalist for the Collegiate Catcher of the Year award for his impressive offensive skills and plate discipline[1]. Measuring in at 5'8, Campos may not be a pitcher's ideal target, but he's showing promise in the pros. He wrapped up his A-ball stint with a .319 average despite the same number of strikeouts as walks. Campos is fortifying his game further in A+ ball, where he's managed 23 walks against 27 strikeouts in 141 plate appearances[2].
The power isn't rushing in, but Campos has delivered six extra-base hits, including his first professional home run. Surprisingly, the catcher has logged six stolen bases as well[3], defying traditional expectations for his position. Defensively, Campos is averaging[4], recording 15 stolen bases at a 21% success rate but accumulating five errors and two passed balls in 46 games.
The MLB draft is a rollercoaster, and the Cardinals look set to mix it up again in 2024. Will they strike gold like they did with Wetherholt? Time will tell. Keep an eye on Campos, for one, as he continues to work his way up the ladder.
St. Louis Cardinals may find another promising player in the 2024 MLB draft, as their fourth-round pick Ryan Campos is excelling in the minor leagues. Campos, an Arizona State catcher, has demonstrated impressive offensive skills and plate discipline, boasting a .319 average in A-ball and a walk-to-strikeout ratio of 23-27 in A+ ball. His defensive performance requires improvement, with five errors and two passed balls, but he has also logged six stolen bases, defying traditional expectations for his position.
