2026 MLB Draft

[phins]

Kyle Reis said the reason I think Cardinals fell for Condon better than I could.

[phins]

Kuhns was excellent in the Cape. Traditionally it seemed the Cardinals really really scout the cape and do a lot of their evaluations based on performance there. Not sure if that continues with the current scouting/draft staff that they have now.

This is meant to be conversational, not adversarial but every team in baseball does this. I imagine every single fan of a team will quote a blurb on a player who performed on the Cape and say their team places an emphasis on Cape performance.

Which is true, because every single team does.

[cardsfantx]

Bumila is obv still there due to the arm injury

He’s a big (huge) LHP high schooler that can hit triple digits and would’ve been a slam dunk 1st round pick if healthy

Hoping with as many picks as we have, we take a flier

[cardsfantx]

With the cards 2nd round pick, #50, they choose Rocco
Maniscalco HS SS

He reclassified for the 2026 draft and is one of the youngest players ever drafted as he just turned 17

[jagtrader]

I wonder if the Cardinals are drafting high schoolers in anticipation of a 40-man roster glut after they dump even more money at the trade deadline.

[phins]

Maniscalco is another raw HS player. He's a switch hitter with a massive arm. Not Masyn Winn levels, but a tier below. He will be an excellent defensive player on the dirt whether at SS or 3B if Winn moves him off SS.

Much better hitter as a LHH, which is very common. He is an athletic rotated who gets big pop.

One thing showing how amateur I am, is that I didn't consider the fact that he reclassed after the showcase circuit so I didn't consider how his data was against underclass players rather than his current new class. Making him look better and not a true apples comparison against guys he will be drafted with.

This is a MANY years away guy with a big upside and a pretty low floor.

The three picks right now are:

Many years away CF, who has other carrying tools than just hit.

Fairly close starting pack pitcher, with a chance to have more upside due to age, physical projection, and perhaps a grip tweak on his slider.

Many years away infielder with big upside if he learns to find bat to ball more often. Another player with carrying tools outside of contact.

Interesting draft thus far, where the Cardinals seem to be marrying carrying tools that will make them major leaguers of some type while still having developmental runway to hit higher end outcomes.

[phins]

Another flashing light that is clear is that the Cardinals continue to be one of the leading teams at emphasizing age in their picks. The younger the better for their model.

[cardsfantx]

The cards select at #68, Andrew Williamson OF central Florida

[cardsfantx]

With pick #72, the cards take Dawson Montesa RHP West Virginia

Clearly a favor for JJ after his extension as this seems like a reach/money savings pick based on rankings

(I’m joking about the favor obv)

[phins]

Williamson is fine. Montesa is a massive reach. Maybe a money saver there..