Cardinals Prospects: A look at a revamped top five list

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