Here’s a bold statement for you: Tekoah Roby, the St. Louis Cardinals’ #11 prospect, is a player whose ranking doesn’t fully capture his journey—or his potential. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite dropping one spot from last year, many argue he’s a stronger prospect now, even with a deeper system and more high-upside players ahead of him. Let’s dive into why this matters and explore the rest of the Cardinals’ promising farm system.
Last year, Roby was ranked as the 10th best prospect before he’d fully proven himself. If fans had known about his 2025 season, he likely would’ve been ranked higher. So, why the drop? It’s not a decline in talent—far from it. The system has simply grown stronger, with players like JJ Wetherholt, Liam Doyle, and Rainiel Rodriguez leading the charge. Here’s the full list:
- JJ Wetherholt
- Liam Doyle
- Rainiel Rodriguez
- (or 5) Quinn Mathews
- (or 4) Jurrangelo Cjintje
- Joshua Baez
- Leonardo Bernal
- Jimmy Crooks
- Brandon Clarke
- Tink Hence
- Tekoah Roby
Now, let’s talk about Jurrangelo Cjintje, the switch pitcher who’s been making waves. Technically, he’s a switch pitcher, but the numbers don’t lie—he’s far better right-handed. From the right side, he throws mid-90s, topping out at 99 mph, with a cutter and a sweeper that’s his standout pitch. His left-handed performance? Not as impressive, with more walks than strikeouts and 7 homers allowed in 21 innings. Here’s the debate: should he focus solely on right-handed pitching, or is the switch-pitching gimmick worth keeping? Let us know in the comments.
Moving on, let’s compare two very different pitchers: Pete Hansen and Chen Wei-Lin. Hansen, a methodical riser through the minors, is knocking on AAA’s door after a solid 2025 season. His strength? Command. Meanwhile, Chen Wei-Lin, after a down year, is looking to bounce back with an MLB-quality fastball. But here’s the question: who has the higher ceiling? Vote in the poll and let’s settle this.
New additions to the system include Tai Peete, part of the Brendan Donovan trade, and Yhoiker Fajardo, a young RHP who pitched impressively at 18. And this is the part most people miss: age and performance context matter. For example, Jesus Baez will be 21 in AA next season, younger than most in the top 10. Similarly, Nathan Church had his breakout year at 24, not 25, as some might assume. These details are crucial for understanding their potential.
Finally, let’s talk about Deniel Ortiz, a player who’s statistically elite but somehow overlooked by Fangraphs. Is it fair? Absolutely not. And Yairo Padilla, whose prospect status is bat-first, contrary to what some might think. Here’s the thought-provoking question: Are we undervaluing players like Ortiz and Padilla because of outdated scouting biases?
What’s your take? Who’s the most underrated prospect in the Cardinals’ system? Let’s debate in the comments!
