Leo Bernal's addition to top 100 prospects list opens up Cardinals' chances at PPI bonus next season

For a while there, it felt like a slam dunk that JJ Wetherholt was going to win National League Rookie of the Year, and if he did, he would have earned the St. Louis Cardinals a high draft pick in the 2027 MLB Draft through MLB's PPI (Prospect Promotion Incentive) system. Thankfully for St. Louis, it looks like they'll have multiple cracks at it again next year with outfielder Joshua Baez and now catcher Leo Bernal.

MLB Pipeline recently added Bernal to their top 100 prospects list, which is a significant piece of news due to how the PPI system works. One of the requirements to qualify for draft pick compensation for winning Rookie of the Year is that a player must be ranked in the top 100 on two of the three major national outlets' lists (MLB Pipeline, Baseball America, and ESPN). While it is a silly rule, it's in play as of now, and Bernal just needs to be added to Baseball America's or ESPN's list to fully qualify.

Assuming one of those outlets adds him (it is a crime that he hasn't been already), Bernal gives the Cardinals a strong candidate to win NL Rookie of the Year next season.

Leo Bernal's chances at getting the Cardinals a PPI selection are high

Just like we saw with Wetherholt, it's virtually impossible to guarantee any player will win Rookie of the Year. Wetherholt has had one of the better rookie campaigns in recent seasons, but his performance tapered off in the second half (likely due to his wrist injury), and the rest of the NL rookie crop this year was really strong.

It's too early to tell who will all be a part of the NL Rookie of the Year race next season, but names like Dodgers outfielders Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota, Padres catcher Ethan Salas, and Marlins lefty Thomas White are names who could potentially be competing for that award, along with so many other prospects who could break out as rookies next year. But for the Cardinals, Bernal should be among the favorites, and they get to pair him with outfielder Joshua Baez and potentially other rookies as well.

Bernal has been excellent in his cup of coffee with St. Louis thus far, slashing .323/.362/.508 with three HR and 15 RBI in 16 games entering play Saturday. Bernal's 141 wRC+ and 0.6 fWAR already are extremely impressive, and it's his ability to mash at the plate while providing good defense behind the plate that could lead to a Rookie of the Year campaign.

No, it's not fair to expect Bernal to be that good of a hitter in 2027, but man, his entire baseball savant page is red right now outside of his walk rate. He's mashing the baseball, something that he's gotten better and better at as the years have gone on, and if he's even "just" a good hitter next season, his defense behind the plate may be tough for anyone to compete with.

The Cardinals have a top farm system in all of baseball, but that won't stop them from wanting to constantly add talent to their system. With this rebuild year in full focus last offseason, they were able to make multiple trades over the last 15 months that helped infuse more talent into the system. Sure, they'll still acquire prospects in trades moving forward, but as they move toward contending, it'll be even more imperative that they nail draft picks, and the more selections they have, the more opportunities they'll have to do so.

Bernal has as good a shot as any prospect entering the 2027 to bring home that extra draft pick.

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