As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
The Cardinals are under a new regime as Chaim Bloom is taking over, and it is an exciting time for fans of Cardinals prospects. Bloom was able to build one of the better farm systems in all of baseball during his time with the Red Sox, so hopefully, he is able to do this for the Cardinals in short order. The Cardinals system is loaded at the top with catchers; from Rainel Rodriguez to Jimmy Crooks to Leonardo Bernal, three of their top 10 prospects all project out to be catchers. The top prospect is JJ Wetherholt, who is one of the few 70-hit tool prospects in all of the minors, and there is an argument that he should have graduated off this list by now because he was ready for the big leagues around the second half of this past season. The Cardinals were the beneficiaries of some interesting drafting at the top of the 2025 MLB draft and were able to get some of the best pure stuff in the 2025 draft when Liam Doyle fell into their lap. The Cardinals' approach of taking the best player available at the top of the draft has resulted in them getting their top two prospects, JJ Wetherholt and the aforementioned Liam Doyle. The Cardinals farm system is in a strong spot, and we shall see a few of these prospects graduate prospect status at some point in 2026 if all things go right.
About Our Top 20 Lists
Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.
We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.
In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.
One could argue that JJ Wetherholt was ready for the majors at almost any point in 2025, but the Cardinals decided to keep him in the minors, where he looks like one of the game's better pure hitters. Wetherholt is a really good athlete and projects to be a useful defender somewhere on the infield dirt in 2026 for the Cardinals. He can play an average defensive shortstop, but the Cardinals have Masyn Winn there right now and for the future. Another likely home is second base or third base, where he would be an above-average defender at either spot and would have ample range. His arm is a touch light at third, but he could make it work there if needed because he is able to make every play you need at the hot corner and then some. JJ Wetherholt's calling card is that he can best be described as "hitterish." He makes not only a good quantity of contact but an excellent quality of contact. He backspins batted balls and has a chance to hit for more power than someone with a 103 90th percentile EV would indicate. He has fantastic plate coverage and is able to ambush pitches up and down the zone. There is a feel here for using the entire field, poking flares the other way, and if he decides to get out in front and try to churn and burn on pitches on the inner third more aggressively, that would help the homer and power outputs. His hands are quick, and he pairs that with a good understanding of the strike zone to go along with great pitch recognition. Wetherholt, as currently constructed, might top out at 20-22 homers, but he has a chance to be a pest for pitchers because his hit tool and power combination gives him a high floor to go along with some defensive versatility. Wetherholt is one of the game's best prospects because of what feels like a preternatural feel to hit, and more than enough other skills to challenge for the NL Rookie of the Year in 2026. - Rhys White
Watch Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live & Stadium! | Amateur and Dynasty Team Writer/Podcaster | I love the Tennessee Volunteers, milk, pitchers, catchers, & you <3 P4:13
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
