St. Louis Cardinals’ 2016 Top Prospects: #20 Darren Seferina

The St. Louis Cardinals may have a prodigious leadoff hitter on his way to the majors in a couple of years.

Another day, another player in our Top Prospects series. Darren Seferina was the first hitter elected in the St. Loius Cardinals‘ 2014 MLB Draft after Jack Flaherty, Luke Weaver, and Austin Gomber.  Seferina had to stand out to get selected by the Cardinals. He showed exactly why the Cardinals selected him as their first position player this year.

Seferina doesn’t jump off the page at you like a Kolten Wong or Magneuris Sierra, but he could develop into a consistent leadoff hitter for the Cardinals. He does have one tool that stands out loudly, and that his is his bat. So, what else is so great about this top prospect?

#20 Darren Seferina 2B

Season Stats:

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Scout Grade: 

Analysis: This is an interesting player. He is a high contact, bat control type player, who is a pretty good second baseman. He hit .410 for the month of June, and led the Midwest league in slugging with two homers, nine doubles, and three triples.

Brian Walton of Scout.com, had this to say about Seferina  “Of all the players in the entire St. Louis Cardinals’ system in 2015, this second baseman not only legged out the most triples, but also knocked the second-most doubles, only behind a hitter who is now a major league starter.” This is by far the most telling thing about Seferina.

Seferina not only made his impact with the bat, but he was also very good defensively. Baseball America had him rated as the best second baseman in the entire Midwest League in terms of total chances per game. In terms of plain shortstop, he probably could play there, but he is best suited at second.

Seferina also managed to swipe 23 bases, although getting thrown out 17 times as well didn’t help. This is going to be something he has to improve on if he is going to make an impact at the major league level.

His bat will play in the majors, especially with his ability to collect doubles and triples. However, don’t expect him to develop home run power, as he likely projects as a top of the order hitter.

While I was not able to find a scout grease for him Future Redbirds has Seferina’s speed rating at a 70 grade, which is really really good, and probably translates as the best speed in the system.

This will be a key season for the second base position throughout the system, as Wong will need to improve upon his second half slump last season, and be more consistent to continue as the starter.

If he falters, he could lose playing time to another top prospect in Aledmys Diaz, and with Seferina hot on both of their heels, competition seems to be a theme at the position.

Next: Cardinals' 2016 Top Prospects: #21 Arturo Reyes

Roster Prediction: AA Springfield

I am not sure if he will get the opportunity to skip the FSL as some premier hitters before him have done. I think if the organization values his bat, he will skip Palm Beach.