Ranking the St. Louis Cardinals' best draft classes of the last decade

It's not often that Cardinals fans have to hyper-focus on the draft. Around this time of year, Redbird Nation is usually splitting its time drooling over draft prospects while running dream trade scenarios through the Twitterverse. But in a year as disappointing as this one, when the Cardinals will likely sell at the deadline, the draft has taken on added importance.

In that vein, and with the 2023 MLB draft upon us, we present a ranking of the Cardinals' best draft classes of the last decade, ranked worst to first.

First, though, some ground rules. Classes were ranked based on the contributions of the players selected to the Cardinals, regardless of their MLB career. Zac Gallen's ascension to ace as a Diamondback? That does nothing for these rankings. That being said, the rankings did take into account the return any prospects netted in a trade.

Sound good? Let's start.

Before we get to the actual rankings, let's first take a look at the team's last two draft classes, which are both too recent to truly grade.

2022: Too Soon To Tell

Notable Names: 1) Cooper Hjerpe; 2) Victor Scott II

Last year’s draft is too recent to rank but there’s reason for optimism. Cooper Hjerpe hasn’t pitched since May 23 due to injury but he’s MLB.com’s 4th-ranked Cardinals prospect and his scouting report gives reason to believe he could be helping this rotation sooner rather than later:

“Standing at 6-foot-3, Hjerpe fires from a deceptive crossfire angle from a delivery that gets him impressive extension off the bump. That level of deceit makes his low-90s fastball play well above its velocity and makes the heater look downright explosive out of the hand. He tunnels his breaking stuff well off it with an upper-70s sweeping slider or a mid-70s curveball that can give a slower, more downward look. His fading changeup, sitting right around 80 mph, flashes above-average too and gives him a full starter’s arsenal.

Hjerpe appears almost fearless with the way he goes right after hitters, and despite his unorthodox mechanics, he throws plenty of strikes that should keep him in a starting role. He may already be a first-rounder, but his combination of stuff, presence and command could make him a breakout candidate and quick riser toward the St. Louis rotation.”

Victor Scott II, the team’s 5th-round pick, has been a pleasant surprise and offers game-changing speed. His invitation to this year’s Futures Game leaves reason to believe this class could slot high in future rankings.

2021: Too Soon To Tell

Notable Names: 1) Michael McGreevy; 2) Joshua Baez; 3) Gordon Graceffo; 4) Mike Antico

Like 2022, it’s still too early to judge the 2021 draft.  But with the big league club in need of pitching help ASAP, it’s nice to know that Gordon Graceffo and Michael McGreevy, MLB.com’s third and fifth-rated prospects on the team, aren’t far from potentially joining the rotation.

Joshua Baez has already cracked the top 10 team prospect list and scouts remain bullish on his potential power, while Mike Antico could provide a September spark in future years with his defensive ability and speed on the basepaths.

Number 8: The 2017 Draft Class

Notable Names: 1) Scott Hurst; 2) Kramer Robertson; 3) Jake Walsh; 4) Kodi Whitley

Easily the biggest dud of the last ten years, but remember the Cardinals had no first or second-round picks this year.  Scott Hurst has yet to debut, while Kramer Robertson played all of two games after his 2022 debut and Jake Walsh rang up a 13.50 ERA in his three games last season.

Kodi Whitley was very effective out of the bullpen in 2021 but regressed last year and has been stuck in Memphis in 2023. His reemergence could save this class but, until then, it will have to make do with its last-place ranking.

Number 6: The 2019 Draft Class

Notable Names: 1) Zach Thompson; 2) Tre Fletcher; 3) Andre Pallante; 4) Connor Thomas

This ranking could – and hopefully should – rise in future years but this is ultimately a disappointing class so far. Zach Thompson hasn’t been able to find traction and a return to the bullpen will hopefully include a return to form for him.

Second-round pick Tre Fletcher has already been released and Andre Pallante is the only other member of the draft class to make it to the majors. 

It’s a lackluster class but, like I said, there’s still room for hope.  Pallante could be an important factor in the bullpen and Thompson may still grow into a starter’s role.  And don’t forget Connor Thomas, who had an impressive Fall League.

Number 5: 2014 Draft Class

Notable Names: 1) Luke Weaver; 2) Jack Flaherty; 3) Trevor Megill; 4) Austin Gomber; 5) Daniel Ponce de Leon

Surprised to see this class rated so high? It’s all about two future Hall of Famers you won’t see listed above.

This draft class made an impact – but it was more about who the Cardinals were able to obtain for some of these prospects.  Luke Weaver and Austin Gomber (fun fact, his nickname is apparently Big G?) were both decent during their time with the Cardinals but it’s their inclusion in the trades for Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado that will have Cardinals Nation thanking them from now until eternity.

Jack Flaherty, picked with the Cardinals’ first-round compensatory pick, has been equal parts spectacular and frustrating.  I once thought he was Adam Wainwright’s heir apparent and still believed at the beginning of this year that he would ultimately sign an extension with the team.  Now it seems inevitable that Flaherty is traded and this spot could ultimately rise depending on what the team receives in return.  

This draft was otherwise unspectacular - Megill has carved out a role as a relief pitcher, now plying his trade with the Brewers.  And Ponce de Leon was a heartwarming story after returning from a scary head injury.  

Number 4: 2016 Draft Class

Notable Names: 1) Delvin Perez; 2) Dylan Carlson; 3) Dakota Hudson; 4) Zac Gallen; 5) Tommy Edman; 6) Andrew Knizner; 7) Andy Young

Oh, how high this class might have ranked if Zac Gallen were pitching for the Cardinals.  The National League All-Star starter wasn’t traded for nothing, it just feels that way after two middling years of Marcell Ozuna. His ultimate success with the Diamondbacks does nothing to help these rankings.

Still, though, this draft was far from a failure. The jury is still out on Dylan Carlson, who is still only 24 and provides strong defense if nothing else.  Same with Dakota Hudson, who still has a chance to play his way back into the starting rotation, even if his audition this year has left much to be desired.  And Andrew Knizner, once seen as the heir to Yadier Molina after Carson Kelly was traded away, does not seem like he'll ever be more than a competent backup, although that’s still fine value for the 226th overall pick.

The jewel of the draft class? Easily Tommy Edman. The sixth-round pick became one of the many faces of Cardinals Devils Magic, providing a career 14.4 WAR and serving as the team’s Swiss Army Knife.

Surprised to see Andy Young on the list of notable players? Don’t be – he was part of that infamous Paul Goldschmidt trade package.

Number 3: 2015 Draft Class

Notable Names: 1) Nick Plummer; 2) Jake Woodford; 3) Harrison Bader; 4) Jordan Hicks; 5) Paul Dejong; 6) Ryan Helsley; 7) Matt Vierling

First-round pick Nick Plummer never made it to the big leagues with the Redbirds and his release was disappointing, but this was overall a great draft class.

Jake Woodford, perpetually overlooked, wasn’t pitching great before his injury this year (and who was?) but he has been a solid contributor who probably should have been given a chance to start in years past.  Harrison Bader was the electric face of the franchise until he wasn’t, but his trade for Jordan Montgomery helped save last season and Montgomery will likely be flipped again this year. 

Jordan Hicks and Ryan Helsley have become bullpen mainstays, flamethrowing their way to closing roles.  It will be interesting to see if either are still on the team after this year’s trade deadline.

And while Paul DeJong became the target of online vitriol, it’s hard to be anything but impressed with the value the team received from its fourth-round pick, especially in light of his mini-renaissance this year.

This class could rise even further in future rankings, as Montgomery, Hicks, Helsley, and DeJong may bring in future prospects before all is said and done.

Number 2: 2018 Draft Class

Notable Names: 1) Nolan Gorman; 2) Luken Baker; 3) Brendan Donovan; 4) Lars Nootbaar

The year of the hidden gem. Nolan Gorman headlines this class (more on him in a bit) but 7th-rounder Brendan Donovan and 8th-rounder Lars Nootbaar help cement this class as a success.  Donovan, who may make Tommy Edman expendable this year, finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and took home the first-ever Gold Glove for a utility player.  His patient approach at the plate continues to pay dividends.

Nootbaar, meanwhile, was everybody’s pick as a breakout player this year.  While that hasn’t worked out exactly as planned, his future remains bright and he is still a global sensation.  His next few years could push this class to the top spot.

The ultimate place of this class, though, may depend on Gorman’s ceiling.  An inconsistent year has dulled the hype after his strong 2023 start, but he still could slot in as this team’s third slugger after Arenado and Goldschmidt. Improvement at every level in the minors leaves reason to believe he’ll eventually get there in the big leagues, too.

Number 1: 2020 Draft Class

Notable Names: 1) Jordan Walker; 2) Masyn Winn; 3) Tink Hence; 4) Alec Burleson; 5) Ian Bedell

Is it too controversial to rank this in the number one spot? Or is it more of a sign of relentless optimism? Whatever the case, it’s pretty incredible that in a draft with only five picks, the Cardinals seem to have found three franchise cornerstones and an outfielder who has already made it to the majors.

Jordan Walker is the team’s most-hyped prospect since Oscar Tavares and, sometimes shaky outfield defense aside, his time in the majors has done nothing to dent his shine.  Masyn Winn and Tink Hence, both top 100 prospects, represent a bright future, with Winn likely taking over at shortstop in 2024 and Hence hopefully joining the rotation in the next few years.  Alec Burleson is already contributing in the majors and Ian Bedell offers considerable upside.

Does it make me a hypocrite that I baked so much hope into this top spot? Probably, but these are my rankings! In a season that’s been filled with one rock-bottom loss after another, some hope and optimism is needed, and daydreaming about the potential of this class is just what the doctor ordered.