Meet the St. Louis Cardinals Draft Picks

In the next week, I will profile each Cardinals draft pick to help you really get to know some future Redbirds and the chances they sign with the organization. Baseball is the hardest sport to draft and project players in, so some of these guys may never put on a Cards cap at any level. The draft is also that much more important because it is the key to keeping the farm system stockpiled. The draft has instantly made the Nationals an exciting ball club for the next few years. Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper have the capital talking about something other than health care and education. The Cardinals and every other team hope the draft can inject some life into their futures too. Right now, the Cardinals have a weak farm system and are depending on the core of guys they have in the big leagues. In five years, this group will be running on fumes and a new class of players will have to take the torch from an older Pujols and Holliday. The 2010 class has a lot of talent and promise. Now, the front office has to get them signed.

The Picks

Zack Cox, University of Arkansas — The sophomore third baseman was taken with the 25th overall pick in the draft. He is a great all-around player and has great character too. Cox seems like a perfect fit with St. Louis and many believe he could be in the majors quickly after signing.

Seth Blair, Arizona State University — The right-hander from the baseball powerhouse in the desert knows he has what it takes to pitch in the majors. He was teammates with Mike Leake who skipped the minor leagues and is having an outstanding season in Cincinnati. That has given Blair the confidence that he can make an impact at the highest level one day. He already has great confidence from being the No. 1 starter for the No. 1 team in the nation. It’s always a challenge in Pac-10 baseball. Blair was the conference’s pitcher of the year.

Tyrell Jenkins, Henderson High School — Jenkins has a big decision to make. The standout athlete from Texas has committed to play baseball and football at Baylor next year. Jenkins says baseball is his first love, but the opportunity at Baylor is certainly special. He has four pitches and the big frame that scouts love from pitching prospects.

Austin Wilson, Harvard Westlake High School — Cardinal vs. Cardinals. One letter is the difference in Wilson’s decision. The high school phenom has a full-ride to Stanford to play baseball waiting for him. He also has an offer from St. Louis to play professional baseball. He is considered a first-round talent who slipped to St. Louis in the 12th round because it is thought he will go to Stanford. Wilson has superior tools to most players in the draft. Some compare his situation to Jason Heyward who was also an outstanding student and athlete. If the Cards can ink him, they’ll have quite a steal in their system.

–Profiles to come on each of these players and more from the Cards draft.