The St. Louis Cardinals have quietly built one of the more productive pipelines in Major League Baseball through the draft in recent years, consistently adding high-upside talent that is beginning to impact both the major league roster and the upper levels of the minor leagues. Their ability to identify and develop players early has started to pay off, with several recent first-round picks already making noise across the organization.
A major turning point came during the 2024 MLB Draft, when the Cardinals selected infielder JJ Wetherholt with the No. 7 overall pick. That decision has already proven to be a franchise-altering move. Wetherholt wasted little time climbing through the minor league system and ultimately reached the big leagues, where he has established himself as the team’s starting second baseman.
His rapid development and strong early performance made him a cornerstone player, and the organization rewarded him with a significant long-term contract extension, signaling their confidence in his future as a star. (Reuters)
Wetherholt’s rise is a clear example of how effective the Cardinals’ draft-and-develop strategy has been. He entered the 2026 season as one of the organization’s top prospects before graduating to the majors, further reinforcing the strength of the team’s farm system. (SI) His success has also helped shift attention toward the rest of the Cardinals’ recent draft classes, which are loaded with promising players who could soon follow a similar path.
The momentum continued in 2025 when St. Louis used the No. 5 overall pick to select left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle. Known for his power arm and high strikeout potential, Doyle quickly became one of the top prospects in the organization.
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After signing, he progressed through the early stages of his professional career and is currently developing at the Double-A level. While his numbers may not yet fully reflect his upside, the Cardinals remain confident in his long-term potential, particularly as he refines his secondary pitches and gains more consistency on the mound. (SI)
Doyle’s trajectory suggests he could climb even higher before long. Given his raw talent and draft pedigree, it would not be surprising to see him earn a promotion to Triple-A before the season concludes, putting him just one step away from making his major league debut. His development is a key part of the Cardinals’ broader plan to build a sustainable contender through internal talent rather than relying heavily on external acquisitions.
In 2026, the Cardinals once again leaned into upside by selecting high school outfielder Trevor Condon with the No. 13 overall pick. As is often the case with prep players, it will take time before the organization has a clear picture of what Condon can become at the professional level.
High school draftees typically require more development than college players, but they also offer significant long-term potential if everything comes together. For now, Condon represents another piece of the Cardinals’ growing pipeline, one that could pay dividends in the years ahead.
While Wetherholt and Doyle have generated much of the attention as recent first-round selections, they are not the only players worth watching. Another name that is beginning to emerge is outfielder Chase Davis, a former first-round pick from the 2023 MLB Draft. Selected No. 21 overall, Davis initially flew somewhat under the radar, particularly as newer and higher-profile prospects entered the system. However, his steady progress has started to change that perception.
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Davis has been working his way through the minor leagues and is now on the cusp of reaching the majors. In a significant development, the Cardinals recently activated him from the Injured List and promoted him from Double-A to Triple-A, marking an important step forward in his career. (Yahoo Sports) This move places him just one level below the big leagues and indicates that the organization believes he is ready for a more advanced challenge.
The promotion is also part of a broader wave of organizational movement designed to create opportunities for rising talent. Recent roster adjustments within the Cardinals’ system have opened the door for prospects like Davis to showcase their abilities at higher levels, reflecting the team’s confidence in their development pipeline. (Viva El Birdos)
For Davis, this moment could be pivotal. Triple-A serves as the final proving ground for prospects, where they face experienced competition and refine the skills needed to succeed in the majors. If he continues to perform well, he could soon find himself earning a call-up to St. Louis, joining a growing list of homegrown players making an impact at the highest level.
Overall, the Cardinals’ recent draft success highlights a clear organizational philosophy centered on building from within. By consistently hitting on early-round picks and providing a strong development system, they have positioned themselves for sustained success. Wetherholt’s immediate impact, Doyle’s high ceiling, and Davis’ steady rise all point to a bright future.
As these young players continue to develop, the Cardinals appear well-equipped to transition from a rebuilding phase into a competitive window driven by their own talent. If their recent track record is any indication, more impact players could soon emerge from their draft classes, further strengthening the foundation they are building for the years ahead.
The Cardinals Were Busy
The St. Louis Cardinals recently made a series of roster adjustments across their minor league system, signaling both short-term needs and long-term developmental plans for several of their prospects. Among the most notable moves was the promotion of multiple players to Triple-A Memphis, including outfielder Chase Davis, who is now taking a significant step forward in his professional career.
According to the club’s announcement, switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje and infielder Brody Moore were both elevated from Double-A Springfield to Triple-A Memphis. At the same time, Davis was activated from the 7-day injured list and also assigned to Memphis.
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Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Brandt Thompson moved in the opposite direction, going from Triple-A back down to Double-A Springfield. These transactions reflect a broader reshuffling within the organization as the Cardinals continue to evaluate talent and create opportunities for players nearing the major league level. (Viva El Birdos)
For Davis in particular, this promotion marks a major milestone. It represents his first opportunity to compete at the Triple-A level, which is widely considered the final step before reaching Major League Baseball. The 24-year-old outfielder has spent the majority of his professional career working his way through the lower levels of the Cardinals’ farm system, and this latest move suggests the organization believes he is ready for a greater challenge.
During the 2025 season, Davis remained at Double-A Springfield for the entire year, gaining valuable experience against upper-level pitching. That consistent exposure helped him continue developing his offensive approach and defensive versatility. Entering the 2026 campaign, he once again spent most of his time in Double-A, though injuries briefly interrupted his progress.
While recovering, Davis participated in a rehab assignment that included appearances with the Florida Complex League Cardinals and Class-A Palm Beach. These outings allowed him to regain his timing at the plate and build back his physical readiness before returning to regular competition. Shortly after completing that assignment, he was activated and sent to Triple-A, confirming that his recovery process had gone smoothly. (MLB.com)
Statistically, Davis has put together a respectable performance in Double-A this season. Over 37 games, he has posted a .231 batting average along with a .359 on-base percentage and a .446 slugging percentage. He has also contributed eight home runs, 24 runs batted in, and nine stolen bases during that span. (Yahoo Sports) These numbers highlight a player with a balanced skill set—someone capable of generating power while also getting on base and contributing with his speed.
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Although those figures may not immediately jump off the page, they do reflect steady production, especially considering the time he missed due to injury. More importantly, they demonstrate his ability to impact the game in multiple ways, which is a valuable trait for a player trying to earn a spot at the highest level.
Now with the Memphis Redbirds, Davis brings a versatile profile to the roster. He is capable of playing all three outfield positions, giving his team flexibility in how he is deployed defensively. Offensively, he hits from the left side and possesses notable raw power, which has been one of his defining traits since his amateur days.
When the Cardinals selected Davis with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, he was widely viewed as one of the more exciting college hitters available. His offensive upside, particularly his power potential, made him an appealing choice in the first round. (Wikipedia) Since then, the organization has worked to help him translate that ability into consistent production at the professional level.
One of the clearest indicators of his potential came during his final collegiate season at the University of Arizona. In 2023, Davis delivered an outstanding performance, batting .362 while posting a .489 on-base percentage and an impressive .742 slugging percentage. He also launched 21 home runs and drove in 74 runs across just 57 games, numbers that solidified his reputation as a high-impact offensive player.
That level of production set high expectations for his professional career, and while he has not yet fully replicated those results in the minors, there have been encouraging signs. At various points, he has shown flashes of the power and plate discipline that made him a first-round pick, even if consistency has remained a work in progress.
The promotion to Triple-A represents both an opportunity and a test. At this level, Davis will face more experienced pitchers, many of whom have already spent time in the major leagues. Success against that kind of competition is often the final hurdle for prospects looking to earn a call-up.
For the Cardinals, this move is about more than just one player. It reflects their ongoing commitment to developing homegrown talent and ensuring that their top prospects are challenged at the appropriate stages of their careers. By pushing players like Davis to Triple-A, the organization is effectively preparing them for potential roles in St. Louis.
If Davis can continue to build on his strengths—particularly his power, on-base ability, and defensive versatility—he could position himself as a viable option for the major league roster in the near future. While he may still need time to refine certain aspects of his game, the tools are clearly there.
Ultimately, this latest promotion signals growing confidence from the Cardinals in Davis’ development. After working his way through multiple levels and overcoming injury setbacks, he now finds himself just one step away from the big leagues. How he performs in Triple-A could determine how soon that next step becomes a reality.
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