St. Louis Cardinals: Top 10 Rookie-Eligible Prospects for 2018
10. Randy Arozarena, OF
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 2/28/1995 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A Palm Beach Cardinals, AA Cardinals
2017 Stats: .266/.346/.437, 490 PA, 11 HR, 18 SB, 40/87 BB/K
Info: Highly regarded from his international play in Cuba, Arozarena drew a $1.25 million signing bonus from the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 and made his pro debut in 2017, reaching the upper minors in his first season.
Arozarena has good balance at the plate and makes excellent contact
Arozarena has good balance at the plate and makes excellent contact, though when he goes pull side, he can generate impressive power, as evidenced by his 14 home runs in less than 300 plate appearances in the Mexican Winter League this offseason, where he made a concerted effort to pull the ball more.
Whether he will bring his offseason approach with him to the 2018 regular season remains to be seen, but he offers a balanced skillset with fringe-plus speed and good instincts on the bases along with a good idea of the strike zone.
Defensively, Arozarena is probably best suited for left field, but he handles center as well, though his arm is average, leaving him a poor fit in right. The St. Louis Cardinals will have him in the outfield mix in the upper minors to open 2018, and if he can distinguish himself, he is a rare player that could hit leadoff in the Cardinals outfield mix, so he could have some value due to that blend of skills.
9. Ryan Helsley, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 7/18/1994 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A Palm Beach Cardinals, AA Springfield Cardinals, AAA Memphis Redbirds
2017 Stats: 24 G, 23 GS, 132 1/3 IP, 2.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 8.9% BB, 25.5% K
Info: Playing at a Division II school, Helsley had dreams of being drafted, but going in the 5th round to his favorite team growing up, the St. Louis Cardinals, was a dream come true. The way he’s pitched, he’s in a hurry to make the dream of wearing the big league club’s uniform a reality.
Shooting all the way to AAA for a spot start in 2017 in his first full season, Helsley has seen his stuff tick up with pro coaching. He now sits 93-96 with his fastball, touching 98. He uses a hard curve at 80 and a cutter that sits 87-89. His change sits around 85 and flashes average with good arm deception.
He has very good build to be a sturdy mid-rotation starter, but he will need to keep his walks in check, otherwise a move to the bullpen and the corresponding bump in his velocity that accompanies it could be his future role. For now, the St. Louis Cardinals will continue to use Helsley as a starter at AAA in 2018.
Next: #7 and #8