The next five prospects include a few graybeards.  Players that have limited upsides but are close to, if not already, major league ready.  There’s not a lot of upside with this group but there’s not a lot of risk either.  Also, a 2009 draftee makes an appearance.

#10. Tyler Greene
Age – 26
Stats
Individual Rankings – azruavatar – 9, Jeff Roman – 12, erik – 10
Player Comments -

Tyler Greene deserves more pub for the season he had. A .390 wOBA at the shortstop position is nothing to sneeze at, even if he is 26 years old. He didn’t quite show it at the major league level, but he only had just a little over 100 at-bats to prove himself. I love his ability to steal bases, 34/37 attempts is great production. He doesn’t have the glove Ryan has (few do) but I think he may have finally blossomed into a productive player. I think he could hold down SS and not embarrass himself if need be, and he should prove to be a nifty utility infielder.-erik

I’ve always thought Ty Greene had a place at starting SS for the Cardinals before the emergence of Brendan Ryan. He can play and when Julio Lugo departs or gets injured, Greene will fill that role for the Cards. – Jeff Roman

#9. Robert Stock
Age – 20
Stats
Individual Rankings – azruavatar – 11, Jeff Roman – 10, erik – 9
Player Comments -

This ranking may be some trepidation from Bryan Anderson never quite developing in the fashion expected. It’s also relates to the fact that Stock hit miserably in 2009 in college.  I like Stock better as a pitcher and it’s somewhat consoling to know that there’s a viable fallback option if the bat doesn’t develop for him to sustain a career as a position player.-azruavatar

His upside is perceived to be a little higher than I think it actually is, but you don’t have to be Mike Piazza with the bat to have high value as a catcher. The good news is that Stock comes with a back-up plan. -erik

#8. Daniel Descalso
Age – 23
Stats
Individual Rankings – azruavatar – 12, Jeff Roman – 7, erik – 8
Player Comments -

We will need to see if he can match his strong 2009 with a 2010 to match, but he has a smooth stroke. – Jeff Roman

The power spike in Springfield looks aberrant to me.  If it is, we’re left with a contact hitting middle infielder with decent plate discipline.  Jarrett Hoffpauir and Jose Martinez are good names to remember when discussing that skillset at 2nd base.  The poor performance at Memphis and Arizona erased most of the dangerous infatuation with the Springfield statistics. -azruavatar

I don’t believe Descalso is Hoffpauir part 2, mostly because he’s has been about as good of a hitter at a younger age. And he plays an average second base, while Hoffpauir stinks. That being said, if his bat isn’t good enough to start, he might have a tough time latching on as a utility infielder, given he couldn’t play every infield position (SS) -erik

#7. David Freese
Age – 27
Stats
Individual Rankings – azruavatar – 10, Jeff Roman – 8, erik – 5
Player Comments -

With the recent DWI, Freese seems to have screwed up off the field to hurt his chances on the field again this season (not saying his auto accident last year was his fault, just saying it happened).  He could still end up the Cardinals starting 3B in 2010, but he rep has taken a huge hit both inside and outside the clubhouse.  He’s got lots to prove still, so hopefully he will come to Spring Training to earn the job. - Jeff Roman

Freese is very average, but very ready. For two years running, his minor league numbers tell us he could be around a two-win starting third baseman, something that has a lot of value. And for two years running, Freese has had different run-ins that involve a car, one at least we know involves alcohol. Freese’s own immaturity is all that is keeping him back now. -erik

#6. Allen Craig
Age – 25
Stats
Individual Rankings – azruavatar – 5, Jeff Roman – 6, erik – 7
Player Comments -

Craig might be the only player drafted by the Cardinals that hasn’t had the proverbial “lost season”.  There is no wait for him to rebound; he simply performs at the same caliber he always has.  Left field has some steep requirements relative to offensive production and that threshold likely keeps Craig from ever being elite at the position.  He’s a legitimate offensive threat with the best power production of anyone currently in the Cardinals’ minor league system. -azruavatar

As long as he keeps hitting and for power, he will be a great bench bat at the very least, with the possibility of being the latest 1B/3B/LF platoon player in 2010 and could grab a starting job going forward.  The Cards don’t have another viable power hitter in their system. – Jeff Roman

Scouts don’t seem particularly wowed with his skillset, and he’s limited to the wrong end of the defensive spectrum now, but all Craig does is hit, year in, year out. It’s like clockwork. Memphis was the test I was waiting to see Craig pass, and he did so with flying colors. He’s going to have to continue to improve with the bat to be an above average LF given the offensive requirements, but I would not bet against Craig at this point. -erik

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