2026 St. Louis Cardinals Top 10 MLB Prospects

Today, we’re unveiling the 10 best prospects in the Cardinals system entering 2026.

The top of the Cardinals system is headlined by JJ Wetherholt, a 2024 first-rounder who could break camp with the big league team this spring en route to becoming St. Louis’ potential long-term answer at a handful of infield spots.

Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes is hosting a chat at 2 p.m. ET to discuss Wetherholt and the overall state of St. Louis’ farm system.

SEE THE LIST

More Prospect Coverage

Below, you can find our projected Cardinals lineup for 2029, as well as a rundown of prospects with the best scouting tools in the system.

Projected 2029 Cardinals Lineup

Catcher: Rainiel Rodriguez (22)
First Base: Alec Burleson (30)
Second Base: Thomas Saggese (27)
Third Base: JJ Wetherholt (26)
Shortstop: Masyn Winn (27)
Left Field: Jordan Walker (27)
Center Field: Victor Scott II (28)
Right Field: Joshua Baez (26)
Designated Hitter: Ivan Herrera (29)

No. 1 Starter: Liam Doyle (25)
No. 2 Starter: Quinn Mathews (28)
No. 3 Starter: Matthew Liberatore (29)
No. 4 Starter: Tanner Franklin (25)
No. 5 Starter: Ixan Henderson (27)
Closer: Matt Svanson (30)

Listed below are the prospects with the best tools within the organization. To go directly to St. Louis’ Top 10, click here.

Cardinals Best Tools

Best Hitter for Average: JJ Wetherholt
Best Power Hitter: Rainiel Rodriguez
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: JJ Wetherholt
Fastest Baserunner: Joshua Baez
Best Athlete: Joshua Baez
Best Fastball: Liam Doyle
Best Curveball: Tekoah Roby
Best Slider: Tanner Franklin
Best Changeup: Braden Davis
Best Control: Tekoah Roby
Best Defensive Catcher: Jimmy Crooks
Best Defensive Infielder: JJ Wetherholt
Best Infield Arm: Yairo Padilla
Best Defensive Outfielder: Nathan Church
Best Outfield Arm: Joshua Baez