One benefit for having more time before the Draft is the ability to consume everything available on this all-important day. The Cardinals actually did get rather lucky as the 2024 Draft isn’t considered nearly as strong overall so losing a second round pick only impacts the pool of money. As much as it would seem St. Louis hit bad luck falling to number seven in the lottery, tonight will prove otherwise.
Welcome to the land of nobody knows anything and good luck finding out how the top five of this Draft will shake out! There happens to be zero consensus on just about any pick ahead of the Cards so get your popcorn and beverages lined up now to watch the fun. How did the drama unfold like this? That completely depends on who you ask but look no further than Cleveland having the first overall pick.
Yep, you read that right. The Guardians who currently lead the American League won the lottery and turned this entire event on its head. Cleveland also happens to have a monster pool with rumors of using that to get creative which is where all the intrigue has started. And that’s because zero people in the industry have an inside track on what is going to happen in just a few hours.
Out of the 8-10 players projected in this year’s top tier, the Guardians have been connected to nearly all of them at one point. Sure, that should be narrowed down a little at this date, but it has directly impacted how every team behind them gets their board ready. Just look at the projections or mocks for the Royals and Cards and try to keep track of all the different scenarios.
St. Louis doesn’t have as much pressure as say the Reds or Rockies who both can afford to give 9+ million out with their top picks, but the Birds on the Bat must ace this pick. Both hurlers at the top of the MLB Prospect list for the Cardinals were selected to the Futures Game, but there is a real chance that tonight’s pick bolts to the top of the order. That’s not to say Tink Hence or Quinn Mathews are overrated, but it just proves how important it is not to have another Chase Davis selection.
Last thoughts on the pool playing a part as well – not as concerned now as initial projections made it tough to see how Randy Flores and company would make it work if someone fell to #7. Because this year’s class is top heavy and mostly college, it might make it easier to go all in and then save later. Honestly, getting Sonny Gray has been exactly what St. Louis has been lacking and worth every bit of pool money. Ask me again once the trade deadline has passed and well, it would be nice to feel that same way!
Ok, enough with the appetizers and on to the main course. What will the Cards do tonight? Good luck with anything other than throwing a dart and praying because it isn’t out of the question that someone drops. Whether it is one of the two middle infielders or a power corner bat, it is getting harder to project either potential starter making it to seven. Two main reasons for that but the most important is how the teams ahead of St. Louis are currently doing.
Kansas City finds Cleveland ahead of them but squarely in the Wild Card discussion so a fast-moving pitcher makes sense. Colorado at three can almost never attract hurlers in free agency so they have stocked up early in the Draft process. Count in the other Ohio team as well, since Cincinnati has position players galore and poof – it really is a mess to try and figure out.
Bottom line, however, the Cardinals are primed to not only get a difference maker but possibly one that helps in a number of ways right out of the gate. If it is one of the top pitchers, does that make it easier to trade someone else in the next couple of weeks? Or if one of the best position players makes it to the St. Louis pick, will that enable a trade or two to clear space for who we hope becomes another heralded home grown product?
No matter how bad last season was, it definitely is exciting to see how the future unfolds and whether or not tonight is looked back on fondly or with a shake of the head.
