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5 players the Cardinals should target on Day 2 of the 2024 MLB Draft

The Cardinals got the biggest steal on Day 1 of the 2024 MLB Draft in JJ Wetherholt. Here are 5 data-darling prospects they should consider drafting on Day 2.

By Kareem Haq |
Iowa's Cade Obermueller (33) delivers a pitch during a NCAA baseball game against Loras College, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa. 230228 Loras Iowa Bsb 021 Jpg
Iowa's Cade Obermueller (33) delivers a pitch during a NCAA baseball game against Loras College, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa. 230228 Loras Iowa Bsb 021 Jpg / Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen /
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The Cardinals couldn't have asked for a better day one of the 2024 MLB Draft. JJ Wetherholt, the favorite to be selected 1st overall, fell to the 7th pick, and the Cardinals pounced. Wetherholt is the best pure hitter in the draft class with elite plate discipline skills and sneaky raw power. Entering the draft, he was my personal top target for the Cardinals at pick 7. The Cardinals made the most of their first top-10 pick since 1998 when they selected J.D. Drew.

Shifting gears, I'd like to throw out some names the Cardinals should target on day two of the MLB Draft.

Targets for the St. Louis Cardinals on Day 2 of the MLB Draft

RHP Ryan Forcucci, UC San Diego

UC San Diego right-handed pitcher Ryan Forcucci intrigues me. He's someone that, mechanically speaking, is very impressive. It's a smooth, athletic operation on the mound. His fastball is a clear plus pitch, sitting 93-95 mph with 19-20" of IVB from a low release height. The pitch induced a whiff rate of 31.2% this year (95th percentile). Forcucci's 2nd pitch in his arsenal is an 84 mph slider with two-plane break. He's comfortable using the offering against both righties and lefties, showcasing an advanced feel for the pitch.

He also throws a high 70s curveball and a firm 88 mph changeup with a fantastic arm-side run. Forcucci is also a three-year college performer, posting a 3.67 ERA in 132 1/3 innings pitched while striking out 159 and walking just 42 batters. There are some concerns with his profile, though. Forcucci missed most of his 2024 season with an undisclosed injury and hasn't been able to pitch deep into games consistently throughout his career. If the Cardinals don't think the injury will impact his long-term value much, he'd be an excellent pick in the third round.

LHP Cade Obermueller, Iowa

The Cardinals love their deceptive left-handed pitchers, that's for sure. Iowa left-handed pitcher Cade Obermueller has unique traits, especially for someone who throws from a low side-arm slot. His fastball averages 90.5 mph with 12" of IVB from a 4.6-foot vertical release. Obermueller's command of the pitch is inconsistent, but the pitch performs well when he locates it at the top of the zone to optimize his flat VAA.

The most impressive pitch in his arsenal has to be his 79 mph sweeper. It's an offering that yielded a 35.1% whiff rate this year with exceptionally high spin rates. Considering he throws from a 2.9-foot horizontal release and generates 16" of sweep, it's an outlier HAA pitch. Left-handed hitters stand no chance when it's located on the outer half of the plate. Obermueller also has a budding splitter, which performed well, albeit in a small sample. He does an outstanding job at killing the spin, as it comes in at around 1400 RPM on average. Obermueller also has MLB bloodlines as his father Wes enjoyed a five-year major league career. I expect Obermueller to get drafted somewhere in the middle of day 2.

OF Zach Ehrhard, Oklahoma State

Zach Ehrhard is one of my favorite prospects in the entire class. He's a three-year collegiate starter who had a breakout Junior season. Ehrhard hit a combined 6 home runs and 20 extra-base hits through his first two seasons (442 PA) but broke out in a major way this year with 14 home runs and 40 extra-base hits (300 PA). In terms of raw power, Ehrard projects as fringe-average with a 103.6 mph 90th percentile exit velocity this year.

Despite unimpressive raw power, Ehrhard does a quality job pulling his aerial contact, ranking in the 86th percentile. I also think Ehrhard might have more raw power in the tank despite his 5'11" 185lb frame. Ehrhard is very explosive in the box, showcasing impressive hand speed and twitch. He is also a great athlete, routinely posting sprint speeds north of 30 ft/sec. Many evaluators believe he will stick in center field and play above-average defense there. Although the ceiling is somewhat limited due to his fringe raw power, Ehrhard is a well-rounded player who will be a steal for a team on day 2.

3B Sean Keys, Bucknell

Sean Keys dominated for Bucknell this year, slashing .405/.535/.798, and took home Patriot League Player of the Year honors. Keys is an all-around offensive threat, displaying power and an advanced hit tool to go along with a patient approach at the plate. He posted an outstanding 108 mph 90th percentile exit velocity while making contact 84% of the time. Keys also has a track record of excelling with wood bats in the summer.

The biggest downfall of his profile is positional value. Keys has primarily played third base throughout his collegiate career, but many evaluators believe he fits best at first base or the corner outfield. Keys bat is desirable, but there's not much room for error due to the fringe defensive corner profile. There's also some risk due to him facing weaker competition in the Patriot League. Keys could be a great value pickup if available mid-to-late day 2.

RHP Hunter Cranton, Kansas

Hunter Cranton is one of the best relief pitching prospects in the 2024 class. He has a two-pitch mix, headlined by a 97 mph fastball with a flat vertical approach angle. Cranton generates 17.6" of ride on the offering from a 5.6 vertical release and commands it well at the top of the strike zone. The pitch induced a 38% whiff rate this year.

Cranton's slider is another plus pitch, averaging 87 mph with 0" IVB and 5" of sweep. He added 6 mph of velocity to the pitch this year, which helped it play better with the fastball. Cranton also has a great feel for spinning the ball, and his slider in particular averages over 2700 RPM. It's a relief-only profile, but Cranton has the ability to be a guy who could be a quick mover in a system. He should be on most boards as a late day-2 senior sign.

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