St. Louis Cardinals: Dark Horse Prospects for 2016

Allen Staton

Here we have a player that I had not heard of before the start of this list. Staton played at three different levels for the Cardinals in 2015 after signing on June 16 with the team. Staton started out at the Gulf Coast level, playing in eleven games. At that level he had 12 hits in his 40 at-bats, with three doubles and one home run in that time.

Staton was then promoted up to Johnson City, where he played in 42 games and impressively totaled a total of 23 extra base-hits (12 doubles, nine homers, and 3 triples). While at Johnson City, Staton slashed .307/.339/.571 . Not only was Staton’s .907 OPS best in Johnson City, but it was the 16th best OPS in all of the rookie leagues.

Staton, as an undrafted free agent isn’t your typical prospect, but his first taste of pro ball, was pretty good. Staton will throw his name into the large pool of infield prospects the Cardinals have been accumulating. It is a bit disappointing to see him not succeed much in the nine games he played in Palm Beach, but as we have mentioned that is a tough place to succeed offensively.

This season will be interesting for Staton in terms of placement. He won’t have much of a home defensively in the infield, unless the Cardinals prefer him to play a bench role with Peoria. However, if the Cardinals believe he is ready to make the jump to another level, he could see time at Palm Beach again even though the it’s not a great offensive environment. However, with his age, one could see the team more interested in seeing what he has at AA Springfield.

It will definitely be an interesting season for him, as we will see whether or not he is a flash in the pan or a legitimate prospect.

Next: Yet another pitcher