As the dust settles on the 2025 Draft, a couple of things were made very clear by the incoming Cardinals’ brass. It would be business as usual for St. Louis as far as risk-taking, but the types of players selected paint a clear picture.
Gone are the days of stacking up senior signings to save pennies, with only the 10th round pick going towards that demographic. As it turns out, a relief pitcher pumping gas from the right side was the general theme for Day 2.
In fact outside of 4th round hurler Cade Crossland, the Cards didn’t take a single lefty the rest of the draft from the mound or at the plate. The Birds on the Bat did snag sweet-swinging lefties in rounds 2 and 3, however, so they just completed their homework early.
Ryan Mitchell and Jack Gurevitch are not just outliers as far as hitting from the left side, as they also form what most likely will be the toughest signings for Ryan Flores and company. Outfielder Mitchell was the lone high school athlete taken, while first baseman Gurevitch presents the only Sophomore of the group.
Make no mistake about it, this is a different group than in years past but only results will matter moving forward. A handful of position players were mixed in Day 2, but the real strategy to be had is one that will be talked about plenty in the coming weeks and months.
Power arms stole the spotlight as St. Louis stocked up on the hottest commodity in the game. Have fastball will travel could be the motto for 2026 and beyond if even a couple of the picks end up under the Arch. If getting that many potential impact pieces in one day seems odd, there’s the rub.
Why it took this long to change course can be debated until blue in the face, but the Cards realized before it was too late that you can never have enough fuel to throw into the fire.
Well, it is safe to say the rest of the minor league season will be a fun one, as Palm Beach up to Memphis can start implementing the new-look staffs just as soon as the ink has dried.
