Since I’m still fairly new to the UCB, I haven’t had the chance to comment much on the group. Everyone has been busy given the time of year (school, kids, work), but the projects are always top notch. This month is no exception, even though we here at PH8 are late to the party. The Top 7 Prospects make a daunting task for St. Louis even before the Mateo Mess and I, for one, don’t envy the guys over at Future Redbirds right now.
My selections are below, but my bitterness over the Brett Wallace trade will be evident to most. Even if Matt Holliday gets a long-term deal, Memphis and Springfield no longer will field the best projects for the Cardinals. That means help for the big club will be hard to find in 2010 and possibly 2011 unless some major promotions happen.
1. Shelby Miller
2. Daryl Jones
Those two are standard for me now, as Garcia doesn’t count since I feel he’ll be the fifth starter next season. Now comes my run on relievers to shake things up a bit!
3. Eduardo Sanchez
4. Adam Reifer
5. Casey Mulligan
You get a little bit of everything with those three, and I will be watching their progress as all could be playing a bit down the road for the SCards. Sanchez should be the key depending on where he opens the next campaign, as the rest of the potential closers will then fall into place. I expect Reifer to bounce back in a big way and capitalize on the lack of depth at the higher levels. Mulligan quickly has used the Motte Method to turn his career around, and the next step will be to see how a full year in the hitter-friendly Texas League suits him.
One thing is for sure after the trades of Jess Todd and Chris Perez — the future is now for any potential bullpen help.
6. Robert Stock
7. Matt Carpenter
Given how the organization feels about promoting starting pitchers, I finished up the 09 selections with a couple of fast risers from the past draft. Stock has a real chance to stick behind the plate, and I like the pairing of him and Miller. He also takes over the top catching spot from Bryan Anderson, who will be using the Arizona Fall League to try and recover from an injury-plagued year. Carpenter finished up in Palm Beach and will get every opportunity to be the first call-up to the AA or AAA level from the post-Wallace draft.
On to other notes, the Radio Hour will again be PH8-heavy. Myself and Nick are always happy to help out and will be anchoring tonight’s festivities. Hopefully a St. Louis win and Chicago loss will allow for the clinching game to be on another broadcast night and not during the day off tomorrow. It will be hard to explain that at work, I’m thinking. Stop by the FSMW live blog as well before you drop in for the 9:30 Hour of Power.
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