Original Published Date: April 19, 2014

Updated: June 10, 2014

From the lower-minor leagues through the major leagues, the Cardinals have one of the best organizations in baseball. Their star prospect and one of the best hitting prospects in the minor leagues, Oscar Taveras has gotten his chance.  Will he succeed?  Of course, but with most rookies, he’ll have his shares of ups-and-downs. In fact, he could even get demoted along the way, but long-term, he has a chance to be a star.

1. Next in Line Infield Prospects

• Pete Kozma (SS, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low
• Scott Moore (3B, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low
• Greg Garcia (SS, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low

Notes: You want to know why the Cardinals signed Jhonny Peralta to a 4-year and $53 million dollars contract?  The depth for the Cardinals at middle-infield is not great and in fact, the depth across all five infield positions (catcher included) is below-average.

2. Next in Line Outfield Prospects

• Oscar Taveras (OF, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: High – PROMOTED: 5/31/14
  
• Stephen Piscotty (OF, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Medium
• Randal Grichuk (OF, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Medium – PROMOTED: 5/30/14
  

Notes: Two third of the Memphis Redbirds outfield has been promoted to St. Louis.  It’s Randal Grichuk second taste of the big leagues and while he has plus raw power, he is likely an extra bat in 2014.  Taveras has star potential and could easily run away with the NL Rookie of the Year.  However, as with most rookies he’s likely to struggle and provided the Cardinals stick with him during the adjustment period, he could really impact the NL Central Race.  He could also effect your fantasy team as well with the potential for 15-20 home runs.

3. Next in Line Pitching Prospects

• Tim Cooney (LHP, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Medium
• Tyler Lyons (LHP, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low

Notes: Tim Cooney and Tyler Lyons are not the same type of pitchers that the Cardinals have promoted in recent years.  They are more control pitchers than power pitchers.  Cooney has the higher upside and will sit 89-92 MPH with good secondary pitches.  He could provide some fantasy relevance once promoted.  Lyons pounds the strike zone with fastballs sitting 86-89 MPH and a change-up that serves as his out-pitch.  In his brief time in the majors, Lyons has been league average.

4. Next in Line Relief Prospects

• David Aardsma (RHP, Triple-A)  – Fantasy relevance: Low