Cardinals Prospects: A look at a revamped top five list

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

5) Magneuris Sierra – Outfielder

Still in the lower levels of the Cardinals farm system, Sierra was a buy-low piece that came out of the Dominican Republic three years’ back that has been a mixed bag so far.

In 2014 with the Rookie-level affiliate, Sierra won the Gulf Cost League batting title (.386) to go along with an impressive .434 on-base percentage and 42 runs in just 52 contests.

In 2015, however, he’s fallen off to some degree, combining to bat just .248/.276/.322 between Rookie-level Johnson City and Class-A Peoria this year. He’s been particularly disappointing since joining the Chiefs in Peoria, posting a 52-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his 51 games, limping to a .466 OPS in the process.

Here’s a bit of the scouting report provided by MLB.com.

Sierra uses his strong forearms to whip the bat through the strike zone. His swing is flat and geared more toward line drives at this point, but he should produce at least gap power and could be a home run threat if he adds some strength and loft down the road. He uses the entire field and has better plate discipline and pitch recognition than most players his age.

Next: 4) Marco Gonzales

Mar 11, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Marco Gonzales (56) pitches during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

4) Marco Gonzales – Starting Pitcher

After putting together a 4-2 record with the big league club last season, the Cardinals southpaw has battled injuries for much of the 2015 season.

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Seeing time with Palm Beach, Springfield and Memphis already this year, the results have been less-than-encouraging for Gonzales – especially since joining the Triple-A club.

With Memphis, Gonzales has pitched to a 6.42 ERA and 1.574 WHIP, all while allowing just under a dozen hits per nine innings pitched. Since July 1, the lefty has pitched six full innings just one time, with that coming on Aug. 1.

If he can get back on-track, the southpaw could be one of the most valuable pieces the Cardinals farm system boasts moving forward.

The son of Rockies minor league pitching coach Frank Gonzales, Marco exudes polish on the mound. His best attributes are his changeup and his command. He repeatedly fools hitters with his changeup, which features some late sink, by selling it with deceptive arm speed.

Next: 3) Jack Flaherty

Jul 4, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; General view of a St. Louis Cardinals hat and a baseball glove in the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

3) Jack Flaherty – Starting Pitcher

The Cardinals’ first-round pick from 2014, still just 19 years old, has skyrocketed toward the top of the organization’s prospect rankings – despite just over a year of professional experience.

Last year, he made half-a-dozen starts and two relief appearances for Johnson City, pitching to a 1.59 ERA and 11.1 SO/9 mark for the club’s Rookie-level affiliate.

He picked up right where he left off to open the 2015 campaign, cruising to a 6-1 mark in his first 12 starts of the season. His earned run average has risen, but is still impressive at a 2.87 clip through 62 2/3 innings of work.

Still at Class-A Peoria, it will likely take some time for Flaherty to reach St. Louis. But one thing is already abundantly clear – the talent is definitely there.

Flaherty repeats his delivery with ease, allowing him to throw strikes and maintain his stuff deep into games. He could have been a sweet-swinging third baseman with gap power and quality defense, but the Cardinals like his chances of developing into a No. 2 or 3 starter.

Next: 2) Stephen Piscotty

Mar 12, 2014; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Stephen Piscotty (91) catches a fly against the New York Mets in spring training action at Tradition Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

2) Stephen Piscotty – Infielder/Outfielder

Given he’s already with St. Louis, Piscotty’s time on this list will soon be coming to a close.

That being said, the former 2012 first-round pick of the Cardinals has made his impact felt at every level of the Minors on his way to the big leagues.

This season with Triple-A Memphis, Piscotty batted .272/.366/.475 after struggling in the early going. However, he found his stroke, belting 11 long-balls before earning the call-up to St. Louis in late July.

Since joining the Cardinals, Piscotty has been white-hot, as evidenced by his .345/.394/.448 triple-slash entering play Saturday. Sure, it’s only 10 games, but it’s a nice start to a Major League career – especially given the Cards have him playing all over the diamond.

Piscotty rarely swings and misses, controlling the strike zone and exhibiting fine plate coverage while hitting line drives from gap to gap. He has the size and strength to hit perhaps 25 homers per year if he focuses on power, but his approach favors hard contact and might yield closer to half that amount.

Next: 1) Alex Reyes

1) Alex Reyes – Starting Pitcher

Jumping from the third slot in the rankings to the top of the list in just half-a-season, the hard-throwing right-hander has plenty of Cardinals fans excited for what’s to come.

In an organization that is known for developing impact pitching, Reyes is no exception.

Making 16 starts this season between High-A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield, the Dominican right-hander has pitched to a 2.16 ERA in 75 innings of work, averaging over 13 strikeouts-per-nine in the process.

He also ranks as the 20th-best prospect on MLB.com’s Top 100 list, evidence of just how much his stock has risen in such a short amount of time.

Reyes since has emerged as the preeminent power arm in the Cardinals system. He has two legitimate swing-and-miss pitches in a 93-95 mph fastball that can reach triple digits and an upper-70s curveball that combines power and depth. He has an easy delivery that bodes well for his long-term health.

Next: Cardinals fall to Rockies, despite Peralta's blast