Ranking the Most Productive Cardinals Prospects at Each Position in 2016
![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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/48dde2de8ae6462c1c7c30f7582124409d080b3190443091fe40176ad0c59aa3.jpg)
CF Magneuris Sierra
If there’s one guy the Cardinals have been happy to see live up to his prospect status in 2016, it’s got to be Magneuris Sierra, a 20-year-old who dominated in rookie ball but had crumbled in his first shot at full-season baseball with Low-A Peoria in 2015. Sierra, who’s now ranked as the Cardinals’ 6th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, is a guy who’s going to have to depend on contact hitting, good speed, and spectacular defense in center–at least until he grows into his body and develops some power–but he’s doing all three of those things with success this season. He’s posted a .300/.333/.387 slash line (good for a .720 OPS) along with three homers and 29 steals.
His plate discipline is troublesome, as he’s got 93 strikeouts and just 22 walks. The fact that he’s been caught stealing 14 times this season also negates the advantage of his speed somewhat. With that said, Sierra is a guy that still has major upside as a center fielder if he can learn the art of taking a walk and grow into a little bit more power as he ages.
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