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2016 MLB Draft: Profiling 15 Prospects Who Could be First-Round Candidates for the St. Louis Cardinals

By Patrick Karraker

Jun 20, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers catcher Matt Thaiss (21) looks at his first inning home run in the first inning against the Florida Gators in the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Virginia Cavaliers catcher Matt Thaiss (21) looks at his first inning home run in the first inning against the Florida Gators in the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Robert Tyler, RHP, Georgia

Tyler seems to be the prospect who’s been most consistently connected to the Cardinals through the pre-draft process, as Keith Law and Jim Callis have both mentioned him as a possibility. Perhaps that’s with good reason: he’s considered to be Georgia’s best starting pitching prospect since Cardinals pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, who was the sixth overall pick in the 1987 draft. Tyler fits the profile of the righthanded starters that the Cardinals typically covet, as he’s got a big frame at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds and throws a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and touches 100.

Tyler’s numbers as a junior weren’t fantastic, as he posted a 3-5 record with a 4.10 ERA, while striking out 89 and walking 46 over 74.2 innings. He held opponents to a .200 batting average, though, indicating that he can miss bats and become much more effective if he gets his command in check. According to the experts’ projections, he could be available at 23 or at the end of the first round, so the Cardinals might have multiple opportunities to add Tyler to their stable of young starting pitching.

Next: Matt Thaiss, C

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