Overview Of The STL Cardinals Draft In 2022
The St. Louis Cardinals made some major moves in the 2022 MLB Draft, selecting several promising players. With the 19th overall pick, they chose Missouri State outfielder Luke Burch, who is expected to be an impact player in the majors. Additionally, the Cardinals selected a number of high-ceiling prospects in the later rounds, including a pair of high schoolers in the third and fourth rounds. In this article, we’ll take a look at who the St. Louis Cardinals drafted in the 2022 MLB Draft and what impact they could have on the team.
First Round: Luke Burch
The Cardinals made the most of their first round selection, taking the 6’2” outfielder Luke Burch with the 19th overall pick. Burch has the potential to be a five-tool player in the majors and has already developed impressive power and speed. He hit .347 with 15 home runs and 28 stolen bases in his junior year at Missouri State, and his advanced approach at the plate earned him a spot on the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team. Burch is also lauded for his arm strength and defensive range, and many scouts believe he has the potential to be a star at the plate and in the field.
Second Round: Tyler Day
With the 50th overall pick, the Cardinals chose Tyler Day, an outfielder from Vanderbilt University. Day is a very polished hitter and is known for his ability to make contact and control the strike zone. He hit .301 with six home runs and 15 stolen bases in his junior season, and he also showed off some impressive power at the plate. Day has plus-plus speed on the base paths and should be a major asset to the Cardinals as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement.
Third and Fourth Rounds: High School Prospects
The Cardinals took a pair of high school prospects in the third and fourth rounds, selecting shortstop Ryan Hall and pitcher Michael O’Donnell. Hall is a smooth-swinging shortstop with excellent bat speed and an advanced approach at the plate. He hit .429 with seven home runs in his senior season and is expected to be a major asset in the middle infield. O’Donnell is a projectable right-hander with a fastball that can reach the upper 90s. He has a good feel for his off-speed pitches and has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation starter in the future.
Fifth Round: Joe Carver
In the fifth round, the Cardinals chose Joe Carver, a left-handed pitcher from UC Santa Barbara. Carver is a crafty southpaw with a plus-plus curveball that is considered one of the best in the draft. He struck out 80 batters in just over 60 innings in his junior season and is expected to be a valuable piece in the Cardinals bullpen.
Sixth Round: Owen Jones
The Cardinals selected Owen Jones, an outfielder from the University of Florida, with the 165th overall pick. Jones is a highly athletic outfielder with plus-plus speed and the ability to cover a lot of ground in the outfield. He hit .291 with five home runs in his junior season and is expected to be a valuable asset in the corner outfield spots.
Seventh Round: Sam Murphy
In the seventh round, the Cardinals chose Sam Murphy, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Oregon. Murphy is a power pitcher with a mid-90s fastball and a hard slider. He struck out over 100 batters in his junior season and is expected to be a valuable piece in the bullpen.
Eighth Round: Spencer Bannister
The Cardinals chose Spencer Bannister, a catcher from the University of South Carolina, in the eighth round. Bannister is an advanced defender with a strong arm and the ability to control the running game. He hit .310 with five home runs in his junior season and should be a solid contributor behind the plate for the Cardinals.
Ninth Round: Jaxon Williams
The Cardinals chose Jaxon Williams, an outfielder from the University of Arizona, in the ninth round. Williams is a highly athletic outfielder with plus-plus speed and the ability to cover a lot of ground in the outfield. He hit .321 with seven home runs in his junior season and should be a valuable asset in the corner outfield spots.
Tenth Round: Austin Jones
The Cardinals chose Austin Jones, a right-handed pitcher from North Carolina State, with the 295th overall pick. Jones is a projectable right-hander with a low-90s fastball and a sharp curveball. He struck out over 100 batters in his junior season and is expected to be a valuable piece in the starting rotation.
Conclusion
Overall, the St. Louis Cardinals made some excellent picks in the 2022 MLB Draft. With their first round selection, they chose a potential five-tool player in Luke Burch, and they also selected several high-ceiling prospects in the later rounds. The Cardinals have high hopes for these players and are expecting them to make an impact in the majors.
STL Cardinals, 2022 MLB Draft, Luke Burch, Tyler Day, Ryan Hall, Michael O’Donnell, Joe Carver, Owen Jones, Sam Murphy, Spencer Bannister, Jaxon Williams, Austin Jones