St. Louis Cardinals: Top 10 Rookie-Eligible Prospects for 2018
8. Oscar Mercado, OF
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 12/16/1994 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: AA Springfield Cardinals
2017 Stats: .287/.341/.428, 523 PA, 13 HR, 38 SB, 32/112 BB/K
Info: Playing shortstop in 2013, the St. Louis Cardinals drafted Mercado in the 2nd round out of high school in Tampa. Toward the end of the 2016 season, Mercado transitioned to the outfield and has found himself a natural home in center field.
He saw his offensive performance jump beyond anything he’s done before while in his first season in his new position. He flashed above-average raw power in the batting cage to go along with the plus speed that he’s always had, able to use the speed to get extra bases as well as stolen bases.
For a first year playing the position, Mercado’s work in center field in 2017 was incredibly impressive. He was able to track down balls using his plus speed early in the season, but by the end of the season, he had honed his instincts enough that he was rarely needing to use his top-end speed outside of only the toughest of plays. He also features a plus arm as well.
The spike in performance and how quick he took to center field gives Mercado a very different direction in his career trajectory. He may not have a place with the St. Louis Cardinals when he’s ready, though, so he may end up starting at AAA this season and being a key piece of a deadline deal as the Cardinals attempt to get back to the postseason.
7. Dakota Hudson, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/15/1994 (23)
2017 teams/levels played for: AA Springfield Cardinals, AAA Memphis Redbirds
2017 Stats: 25 GS, 152 2/3 IP, 3.01 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 7.6% BB, 14.9% K
Info: Coming into the 2016 draft season, Hudson was viewed as a top 10-15 talent in the draft. He did nothing during the season to warrant sliding down the board, but he ended up falling all the way down to the St. Louis Cardinals at 34th overall.
Hudson shot up the system, reaching AAA in his first full season
Hudson shot up the system, reaching AAA in his first full season, in spite of a strike out rate that many were worried about. A big reason behind the strikeout issues was Hudson’s issue with fastball command. While the fastball is electric, sitting at 93-95, touching 97, he struggles with commanding the pitch.
He has a plus slider that ranges into the upper-80s with shar, short break. He’s worked on his curve over the year, seeing the pitch bump up to a fringe-plus. His change is more of a “show-me” pitch, but he sequences it well to make it effective.
Hudson has a role of a mid-rotation starter in his raw stuff, but he could translate to an elite reliever as well, but his stamina makes working at the starting role and building his fastball command the route that is best for he and the St. Louis Cardinals both going forward. He’ll start in AAA in 2018.
Next: #5 and #6