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Ranking the Most Productive Cardinals Prospects at Each Position in 2016

By Patrick Karraker

Mar 11, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Magneuris Sierra (98) connects for the go ahead rbi base hit in the bottom of the 8th inning against the Atlanta Braves during the game at Roger Dean StadiumThe Cardinals defeated the Braves 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Magneuris Sierra (98) connects for the go ahead rbi base hit in the bottom of the 8th inning against the Atlanta Braves during the game at Roger Dean StadiumThe Cardinals defeated the Braves 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /
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3B Paul DeJong

Despite the fact that the Cardinals took outfielder Nick Plummer, pitcher Jake Woodford, and third baseman Bryce Denton with their first three picks in the 2015 draft, their fourth and sixth picks–outfielder Harrison Bader and third baseman Paul DeJong–have actually been the players who have come out firing and rocketed through the minor-league system. After earning a job on the Cardinals’ Double-A club to open the season, DeJong, the Cards’ fourth-rounder last year, has displayed impressive power throughout 2016.

DeJong (pronounced Da-YOUNG) has 45 extra-base hits, including 20 homers, in 445 at-bats this season. His 136 strikeouts are the second-most in the Texas League and are reasonable cause for concern, but it seems that he’s at least got the talent to be an all-or-nothing power hitter like former Cardinal Mark Reynolds. He hasn’t played outstanding defense at third this season, but he’s already begun to develop some defensive versatility, starting 10 games at shortstop this year. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be solid enough to be reliable at either of those positions in the majors, but his power will certainly get him places. Considering that he’s already in the upper minors in his first full professional season, it’d be a shock if he didn’t get a taste of the majors sooner than later.

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