The MLB first-year player draft started with round 1 picks on Thursday night.
What, you didn’t know?
It’s cool. Promise it doesn’t make you less of a Cardinals fan. Unlike NFL or NBA draftees – you’re not going to see these players for at least a few years (if ever) playing ball in St. Louis. Unlike the NHL draft, you actually kind of care.
It was a big night for the Cardinals. They had (basically) 3 first round picks. The #23 pick (their original pick), the #33 pick (compensation for losing John Lackey) and the #34 pick (compensation for losing Jason Heyward). True, there are only 30 MLB teams, but because of free-agent comp picks, there were actually 34 ‘first round’ picks.
So who’d the Cardinals entrust to steward this franchise into the 2020’s?
PICK #23) Delvin Perez (SS)
Here’s the ESPN scouting report on Perez:
Perez is as explosive an athlete as you’ll find in this draft. He’s a no-doubt shortstop in a draft with very little middle-infield talent — a 70 runner with great hands, a plus arm and a projectable frame that should one day be physical enough to make an offensive impact as well.
Perez doesn’t turn 18 until later in the fall and is one of the younger players available. His footwork and actions at short are electric, and he has the arm strength and athleticism to make strong, accurate throws from all over the infield. He should be a plus defender at short with reps.
UHHH… Explosive? Electric? These aren’t words that are usually used for players outside of the top 5 in the draft. And the Cardinals got him with pick 23?
I’m confused.
#STLCards took ss delvin perez at No. 23. failed PED test. harold reynolds says 1st round ped pick "sends horrible message"
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 10, 2016
Hooooo boy. Perez is only 17 years old and already has a positive PED test under his belt? From Juicy Juice right to hard juice, eh?
If you’re a Cardinals fan, you’re basically hoping the young man had learned his lesson and was just immature and dumb. If you’re not a Cardinals fan… well, you’re going to want to stay off Twitter for a bit.
Why is anyone surprised at the Cardinals pick? They've supported known PED users for decades.
— #GoCubsGo (@other15) June 10, 2016
The Cardinals are taking the high road. And are hoping they got the steal of the ’16 draft.
Randy Flores says that the pick of Perez shows that #STLCards believe in forgiveness, moving forward, & ability to play. #STLCards
— Alex Ferrario (@Ferrario101ESPN) June 10, 2016
PICK #33) Dylan Carlson (1B)
From the good people at VEB:
Even saying that, though, there’s plus raw power from both sides, and an ability to control the zone, at least against high school competition. Carlson is also extraordinarily young for this draft; he won’t turn eighteen until early next year. Both Perez and Carlson, in fact, are very young for this draft class, which is an interesting connection between them.
Dylan Carlson is not a premium athlete, and is not going to be the sort of five-tool, dynamic contributor you might think of from a high school kid. Instead, what you’re getting is tremendous feel to hit, and big-time power potential down the road.
This feels like a reach to me, if I’m being honest. Not because I don’t like Carlson; I actually, quite a lot. But I have to believe he would have still been around at 70, if the Cardinals really wanted him.
Some video:
Listen, unless you’re a scout, who the heck knows if these guys are going to make it to The Bigs. But at least it looks like Carlson is signable. Plus I know a family named Carlson and they’re huge Cardinals fans, so there’s that.
Just spoke to Dylan Carlson (overall pick No. 33) and he said he would sign with #STLCards, forgo college commitment to Cal State Fullerton.
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) June 10, 2016
PICK #34) Dakota Hudson (RHP)
Dakota’s are now getting drafted? We’re that old? I’m inclined to write off this pick based on the possibility that Randy Flores accidently drafted a Vine star. But let’s check the webs just to make sure…
Hudson is a rare kind of pitching prospect.
GO ON…
He has a poor changeup and very little changeup projection (because of his arm action and underwhelming athleticism), but still has a chance to start because he’s found other ways to get lefties out. Primarily, Hudson uses his above average 87-91 mph cutter in on the hands of lefties to generate swings and misses and induce weak contact.
Keith Law had him ranked 19th on his projections and he seems to sound like he knows what he’s talking about with the MLB draft?
But.. BUT… looks like he’s steeped in The Cardinal Way:
https://twitter.com/StullySTL/status/741095183131893760
Oh yeah. That’s the good stuff right there. Keep it coming, Dakota.
+++++
So what’d the Cardinals get?
A super talented SS that should have been a top-5 pick but slid to the Cardinals @ 23 because of a PED test. Pending your feeling on PEDs, the Cardinals got a steal or have lost their way.
A really young 1B that sounds like the next Brett Wallace with a bit more pop.
A pitcher that has got some potential and also may have watched the Cardinals growing up making him one of the most popular players on the 2021 team already.
Photo: Sporting News
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