Today really should be a national holiday if you ask me. It is the first day of the MLB Rule 4 Draft with the Birds on the Bat stacked with multiple picks for the third consecutive year. And since our loyal congregation cares about all things Cardinals, it is again that time to hand out some St. Louis caps as well as a trip to Busch Stadium.
It may start to sound like a broken record eventually, but I have no problem hearing how good the Cards evaluate or that the last five drafts have produced at every level in the system. The 2014 version currently tilts towards the pitching side of the house but lots of interesting names are in play when St. Louis picks tonight at picks 27 and 34.
I’ll be back with looks at both the hurlers and position players that present intriguing options as the clock ticks down to both selections but leave you with a little light reading. I’m not one for making draft predictions but do agree that the Cardinals are primed to take one of each. Here’s a look at what would be the perfect storm in my opinion — Nick Burdi probably isn’t the bullpen answer this season but couldn’t hurt as well as Jacob Gatewood adding much needed power to the family.
Hm, Burdi would be interesting but there is so much talent in this draft I would hate to pass it for instant gratification. I’m sure we could find a bp arm without him and grab up Luis Ortiz or Braxton Davidson Gatewood would be a fun low floor high ceiling pick but with the emergence of Diaz as well as the possible emergence of Sosa and Mercado I would think the Cards would make that sort of a risk on a position where the depth is a little more high floor. Gettys is essentially the OF version of Gatewood only possibly higher ceiling and the Cardinals glut of OF prospects is in the high minors and aging, whereas the low minors risk/reward prospects are fast but a little short on power with the exception of Vaughn Bryan. Still, those would be good picks. I won’t be able to watch the draft live and am not an expert at this stuff so I appreciate the work you do and that they do, especially RB, over at VEB and I will be reading both sites excitedly after my meeting