Today was the first day of the MLB Draft. The marketing of this has drastically changed in recent years. MLB Network has hosted, and aired, the MLB Draft at their studios since their inception in 2009 until last year. In 2020, the MLB Draft was held remotely due to COVID. It was also the first year ESPN also aired the Draft. This year was also a first for the MLB Draft. It was moved from June to July in conjunction with the All Star Game. Not only was the date moved, location was moved as well as it is being held in Denver, Colorado.
The Cardinals held the 18th pick and drafted Michael McGreevy, RHP, UC Santa Barbara. McGreevy was the 28th ranked draft prospect by MLB Pipeline, lower elsewhere, so this could have been a reach. He’s known for his command, which the Cardinals could use. The Cardinals have seemingly hit on most of their college pitching 1st round selections. While this may have been a reach, I think this will wind up being a solid pick. The Cardinals rarely miss with college arms in the 1st.
Here’s a look back at the previous 10 1st round picks.
2020 – Jordan Walker, 3B (HS) – Walker is just outside of the top 100 in my opinion and the current 6th ranked prospect in the organization according to MLB.com. He started 2021 with Low-A Palm Beach but was quickly promoted to High-A Peoria after playing only 27 games slashing .374/.475/.678, hitting 6 HR and 21 RBI. He’s struggled a bit since being promoted to Peoria, but his future is bright!
2019 – Zack Thompson, LHP (Kentucky) – Thompson is a mid-rotation type player. Many fans have hyped him up but I think we may need to temper our expectations a bit. I think fans are expecting top of the rotation, ace type pitcher. He’s good, don’t get me wrong, but he’s struggled so far in the minors.
2018 – Nolan Gorman, 3B (HS) – This was the 3B of the future until the acquisition of Nolan Arenado. Due to this, he has been playing some 2B. Gorman is the 28th ranked prospect in all of baseball. He started in the 2021 Futures Game today in Denver and hit an RBI double. If he can lower his strikeout rate and improve his contact rate, this guy can be the real deal.
2017 – Forfeited as a penalty for the computer hacking of the Astros
2016 – Delvin Perez, SS (Puerto Rico) – There was controversy surrounding Perez entering the draft as he failed a PED test. Was widely considered the top SS in the class prior to the failed test. His professional career has started off slow, but he is having a breakout year with AA Springfield in his 5th year.
Dylan Carlson, OF (HS) – Carlson was the Cardinals best hitting prospect since Oscar Taveras. Carlson finally made his much anticipated debut in 2020. Started slow, but really took off late in the season. Entered 2021 as a favorite for NL Rookie of the Year. Star in the making.
Dakota Hudson, SP (Mississippi St.) – currently rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery, he has been very serviceable when healthy. Finished 5th in NL Rookie of the Year in 2019 and was on his way to an excellent season in 2020 before tearing his UCL. Chance he returns this season, but more likely to come back next year.
2015 – Nick Plummer, OF (HS) – Plummer, like Perez, has started his professional career pretty slow. Has been hampered by injuries and finally having a breakout season with AA Springfield.
Jake Woodford, RHP (HS) – Woodford has been up and down with the big league team. Cracked the Opening Day roster. Has primarily been the long man out of the bullpen but could very well fight for a rotation spot by next season.
2014 – Luke Weaver, RHP (Florida St.) – Weaver was a highly touted pitching prospect for the Cardinals. Showed flashes of brilliance in 2017. Ultimately traded to the Diamondbacks in the Goldschmidt trade. Excellent in 2019 in his first year with the Diamondbacks, but has struggled to stay healthy.
Jack Flaherty, RHP (HS) – While Weaver was selected before Flaherty, Flaherty was always projected to be the better pitcher and he has been just that. He has taken over that ace role from the aging Adam Wainwright. Currently recovering from an oblique strain, he’s been everything a 1st round pick is expected to be.
2013 – Marco Gonzales, LHP (Gonzaga) – Struggled in his brief time in the big with the Cardinals. Traded to the Mariners for Tyler O’Neill. Has steadily improved each season and has become the ace of the Mariners rotation.
Rob Kaminsky, LHP (HS) – was traded to the Indians for Brandon Moss in 2015. Wound up becoming a minor league free agent and signed with the Cardinals prior to the 2020 season. Made 5 appearances with the Cardinals in 2020 before he was DFA’d. Currently on the 60-day IL for the Phillies AAA team.
2012 – Michael Wacha, RHP (Texas A&M) – One of the better prospects in recent years, debuting nearly a year after being drafted, had a solid 7 year run with the Cardinals, including an All Star Game selection in 2015. Signed as a free agent with the Mets in 2020 and is currently pitching with the Rays.
James Ramsey, OF (Florida St.) – Ramsey was a toolsy guy, but didn’t amount to much. He was traded to the Indians for Justin Masterson. Has never appeared in the major leagues, bouncing around with several organizations: Dodgers, Mariners, Twins, and Reds. He currently is out of baseball.
Stephen Piscotty, OF (Stanford) – Beloved by the Cardinals was one of the better outfield prospects the Cardinals have had. Cardinals traded to the Athletics to be closer to his ailing mother who was battling (and later succumbing) to ALS. Still with the Athletics hitting .208 with 5 home runs and 13 RBI.
Patrick Wisdom, 3B (St. Mary’s College of California) – The latest “we should have never traded him” fad. Had a solid debut season with the Cardinals but wasn’t given a whole lot of time. Was ultimately traded to the Rangers for Drew Robinson (side note, if you haven’t heard about Robinson’s story, you need to. You can find a link to the ESPN article here). Wisdom bounced around with the Mariners and Cubs before re-signing with the Cubs. In his first 15 games this season, he had 8 home runs. He’s slowed that pace a bit, currently sitting at 12.
Steve Bean, C (HS) – Struggled primarily in his 5 minor league seasons. Last played in 2017.
2011 – Kolten Wong, 2B (Hawaii) – One of the fan favorites, a Gold Glover, one of the better 1st round position players the Cardinals have selected in recent years. The Cardinals declined his option this offseason and signed with the Milwaukee Brewers.
As you can see, the Cardinals have for the most part, done well with their first round selections. With the addition of McGreevy, the Cardinals are hoping their trend of doing well with their first round picks continue.
