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St. Louis Cardinals: 10 Most Valuable Draft Picks Since the Turn of the Century

By Patrick Karraker

May 10, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter (13) is greeted after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter (13) is greeted after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trevor Rosenthal St. Louis Cardinals
Oct 9, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal (44) throws a pitch during game one of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Trevor Rosenthal, Round 21, 2009

Cardinals career (2012-present): 254 games, 106 saves, 2.71 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 5.3 rWAR, 2015 NL All-Star

While Rosenthal is currently subject to the inevitable flak that comes with being the Cardinals’ closer, a quick glance at the franchise leaderboards shows that Rosenthal is already fifth all-time in Cardinals history in saves. Considering that Rosenthal has been the Cards’ closer for roughly two seasons and an additional three months, that’s a pretty impressive feat. When you throw in the fact that Rosenthal had such a dominant 2015, throwing for a 2.10 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and .238 BAA while making his first All-Star appearance, it’s easy to see why Rosenthal was such a major draft coup for the Cardinals.

The story of how Rosenthal was discovered makes his success all the more impressive. Rosenthal had been playing mostly shortstop at Cowley County Community College, but after a Cardinals scout watched him for just one inning in a tournament, he convinced the team to draft him in the 21st round. From there on it’s history, as Rosenthal made it to the majors by his third full professional season and hasn’t really endured any prolonged struggles during his big-league career.

Next: 3. Allen Craig

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