Organization Ranking: 13
I've ranked every farm system, as well as the top 100 MLB prospects for 2015. Below, I've ranked at least the top 10 Cardinals prospects, with an overview of the system and any other names of note beyond the first 10. I also discuss any prospects who might help the big-league club in 2015, one or two prospects whose stock has taken a big hit in the past year, and a sleeper prospect who I think can jump into the main top-100 list for 2016.
Non-Insider subscribers: Check out the free Tampa Bay Rays top-10 prospects report to see what these entail.
Top 10 prospects
1. Stephen Piscotty, RF
2. Marco Gonzales, LHP
3. Alex Reyes, RHP
4. Rob Kaminsky, LHP
5. Carson Kelly, C
6. Jacob Wilson, 2B/3B
7. Magneuris Sierra, CF
8. Jack Flaherty, RHP
9. Edmundo Sosa, SS
10. Charlie Tilson, OF
Overview
The Cardinals' system remains deep despite years of trades and promotions, most recently the deal that sent Tyrell Jenkins to Atlanta along with Shelby Miller for Jason Heyward, but it lacks the star power it's had recently. St. Louis has been very willing to give playing time to products of its own system, even in part-time or platoon roles, and the talent base it still has is well suited to continue to supply that machine with valuable parts.
Kelly's conversion to catcher went extremely well in its first full year; he's not an average defender yet, but the arm strength is there and his work with pitchers was very encouraging. He's such a good athlete and has soft enough hands that he should end up above-average across the board, so the main question will be how much he can hit once he gets stronger. Wilson's an extremely underrated guy, even within the game, I think because he was a lower pick who doesn't have a clear position, but he's more than adequate at second (especially around the bag) and at third, and he just has a great feel to hit, making hard contact against left- and right-handers alike. Flaherty was one of the more interesting projection right-handers in the draft class, with limited pitching experience because he'd primarily been a third baseman. Sosa, from Panama, is the best shortstop prospect in the system, just 18 years old but with sure hands and great reads; I like him more than last year's second-rounder Oscar Mercado, whose defensive skills don't live up to his reputation. Tilson has continued to progress at the plate, although he hasn't gone as far on the defensive side; his bat probably won't profile if he has to move to a corner. First-rounder Luke Weaver (14) was a reach with the 27th overall pick; he has the control and feel to start but has a slight build and a below-average breaking ball.
2015 impact
Gonzalez and Tim Cooney (12) probably spend a good chunk of 2015 in the majors, Marco in the rotation, Cooney in either role. Wilson could come up midyear or later; his defensive versatility is something the Cardinals have traditionally valued highly and utilized intelligently. Reliever Sam Tuivailala (11) can hit 100 mph and has a power curveball at 79-82 that he needs to hit more consistently, since when he does, it's plus. He might be their next Proven Closer™. Randal Grichuk (13) has improved himself significantly on defense, although I think he's a platoon player at the plate.
The fallen
Oscar Taveras was a top-five prospect in baseball heading into last year, and it appeared he had finally broken through and overcome his maturity concerns to secure a full-time job in St. Louis for 2015. His death in an October car crash in which he was driving while intoxicated is an enormous loss for the Cardinals and for baseball fans everywhere.
Sleeper
Sierra is a true center fielder who has good instincts in the field, runs plus and makes hard contact with great bat speed. He's not likely to have much home run power, but could end up a 7 defender with a 6 hit tool who leads off and steals a bunch of bases every year.