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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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Allen Craig St. Louis Cardinals
Jun 10, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig (21) works out before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Allen Craig, Round 8, 2006

Cardinals career (2010-14): 469 games, 1,818 plate appearances, .291/.343/.460 slash line (.341/.411/.542 career line with RISP), 57 homers, 291 RBI, 6.2 rWAR, 2011 World Series champion, 2013 NL All-Star

Allen Craig’s success came to a brutal halt, and right now it seems as if the 31-year-old’s major-league career may be over, but it sure was fun while it lasted. After coming up through the Cardinals’ system as a third baseman with defensive concerns, Craig broke into the majors, mostly as a pinch-hitter, in 2010. Though he never became a spectacular defensive player, Craig’s willingness to play all around the field–he played mostly at the outfield corners and at first base, though Tony La Russa got his bat in the lineup by using him occasionally at third, second, and even in center field–made him extremely valuable.

In addition to his ability to consistently get on base, provide a little bit of power, and drive in runners in scoring position at a ridiculous rate during the regular season, Craig was also an extremely clutch postseason performer. He hit three homers during the 2011 World Series, including one in Game 6 that helped keep the Cardinals’ chances alive, and he had a 1.014 OPS during the 2012 NLDS. Though his Cardinals career was ended in a surprising fashion as he was included in a package for John Lackey in 2014, Craig was a major part of a golden era of Cardinals baseball, and the front office’s ability to get him as an eighth-rounder in 2006 should be seen as a major victory.

Next: 2. Matt Carpenter

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