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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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Harrison Bader St. Louis Cardinals
Mar 12, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pinch hitter Harrison Bader is congratulated after the victory over the Houston Astros during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

LF Harrison Bader

Like DeJong, the 22-year-old Bader has come out firing during his first professional season, but he one-upped his fellow 2015 draftee by earning a promotion to Triple-A Memphis in early July. It’s likely that the Cardinals gained the confidence necessary to fuel the promotion in April, when Bader hit .338 with a .960 OPS and five homers. While he basically replicated that success in May, hitting .324 with a .923 OPS and six homers, he’s been in a bit of a tailspin since June 1, as he’s hit just .221 with four homers between Springfield and Memphis. His strikeouts have also been concerning this season, as he’s got 114 punchouts in 419 at-bats.

With that said, Bader is an athletic, versatile defensive outfielder who can play all three positions and is polished enough as a hitter–minus the plate discipline issues–that he could be ready to contribute in the big leagues at some point in 2017. Contrary to what we thought back in May, that point probably won’t be any time near Opening Day, but Bader was ridiculously good enough for the first two months of this season to inspire the belief that he’ll be a major-leaguer (and a good one) sooner than later.

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