The Cardinals’ 2020 MLB Draft could end up being historic

The St. Louis Cardinals may be on their way to one of the best draft classes we have seen as their 2020 class continues to dazzle.

For all of the frustration fans have had with the St. Louis Cardinals early playoff exits in the last two years, the pure excitement that just one draft class could bring to this organization may completely flip the narrative.

Assistant GM and scouting director Randy Flores received a multi-year extension from the Cardinals this last week, and it’s easy to see why with the level of talent the Cardinals organization currently has. Even with graduations of prospects like Dylan Carlson, Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman, and Juan Yepez over the last few seasons, the Cardinals still boast six top 100 prospects in MLB.com’s most recent rankings.

What is most exciting about the Cardinals farm system is the amount of talent that they picked out of the abbreviated 2020 MLB draft, where their first four selections were Jordan Walker, Maysn Winn, Tink Hence, and Alec Burleson. Fans of the Cardinals have been growing in their awareness of these prospects over the last two years, but it appears the rest of baseball is beginning to take major stock in their talent as well.

Multiple factors have contributed to the national media bringing hype to this draft class. First and most importantly, these youngsters are dominating, and their potential is now being backed up by performance as well. National stages like the Futures Game, Arizona Fall League, and even some MLB playing time for Burleson have allowed all four to get credit and recognition.

Let’s look at how this could end up being a historic draft haul for the Cardinals organization.

Masyn Winn is catching eyes as an emerging star

Masyn Winn was originally drafted as a two-way prospect in the second round by the Cardinals, but quickly became a full-time shortstop to allow him to focus on becoming an elite defender. Lately, Winn’s emerging bat has raised the ceiling of just how good the 20-year old could be.

In 2022 across High A and mostly AA, Winn slashed .283/.364/.468 with 12 HR and 63 RBI, being nominated to the MLB Futures Game alongside Walker and flashing an 80-grade arm. The shortstop is currently the 51st ranked prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, but many around the league have him jumping even higher, with Keith Law ranking him at number 19 in August (subscription required).

Winn and Walker have followed each other throughout the minor leagues to this point, and that has allowed scouts to get better glimpses at the insane tools that Winn has as well as the unexpected production at the plate. Many speculated that his fielding would be what carried him, but Winn is looking more and more like a well-rounded, star shortstop in the making.

There is a reason why the Washington Nationals were going to want Walker and Winn in any deal for Soto. Walker may be one of the best players in the game before long, and Winn could be one of the best shortstops as well. These two are making headlines almost daily, and provide an exciting future for St. Louis.

Tink Hence has the stuff of an ace

Standing at 6’1, 175 pounds, 20-year old Tink Hence has Keith Law wondering if the Cardinals 2020 draft could be an all-timer as well.

In his first full minor league season, hence made 16 starts and had an ERA of 1.38 with 81 SO in just 52.1 innings pitched. The Cardinals have been extremally careful with Hence to this point, opting to slowly bring him along in his development and keep his workload small to start. Regardless, Hence is turning heads every time he touches the mound.

Against some of the best competition in the minor leagues at the Arizona Fall League, Hence has thrown 4 innings allowing 1 run on a home run and striking out three batters while allowing no other hits. Hence has a mid-90s fastball, devasting change up, and developing curveball that should allow him to have a lot of success at the big league level.

Hence has the ceiling of a front-line starter if he continues on his development path and builds up the necessary stamina. If not, his stuff will surely play as a mid-rotation starter or dominate reliever. So far, the Cardinals first three picks have netted them a potential MVP, star shortstop, and pitcher with elite stuff, and still there is one more name that has already found his way to St. Louis.

Alec Burleson looks to be a great hitter

Alec Burleson may not have the ceiling of Walker, Winn, or Hence, but his bat has already proven to be big league ready before finishing his second season in the Cardinals system.

In 109 games at AAA Memphis this last season, Burleson hit .331/.372/.532 with 20 HR and 87 RBI at just age 23. Burleson had just 888 at bats before making it to the big league level, which is a fast track for someone who was the fourth selection by St. Louis. Burleson only got 48 at-bats in St. Louis this season, and will look to establish himself there in Spring Training.

The biggest weakness in Burleson’s game is his defense. He has play the corner outfield positions and first base, but he is much better suited as a designated hitter, where he can just look to mash at the plate. Most teams would love to end up with the kind of hitter that Burleson profiles to be with their first round picks, and yet, he rounds out the promising crew from this draft.

Even if only a few of Walker, Winn, Hence, and Burleson pan out at the major league level, this draft would have been a major success for St. Louis. If all four continue to develop like they have been, we will be writing stories about this class for decades to come.