C.J. McElroy

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #28 prospect in 2015
  The son of former big league lefthander Chuck McElroy and nephew to all-star Cecil Cooper, C.J. McElroy surged a year after a foot injury truncated most of his 2013 season. Signed for $510,000 in 2011 as a third-round pick, he resumed working on switch-hitting upon his return to health at low Class A Peoira in 2014, incorporating batting lefthanded. It makes sense to add the feature, given his top-of-thescale speed. While he needs polish on the bases, McElroy led the organization with 41 steals. He's not a power hitter despite his compact, muscular build. Mainly, he is a consistent singles hitter who can also draw some walks, then run his way to second and third base. McElroy's speed will come in handy in the spacious ballparks of the high Class A Florida State League in 2015.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #24 prospect in 2014
  The speedy McElroy began the 2013 season working on switch-hitting to better feature his biggest asset, but five games into his low Class A debut, McElroy injured his foot. He spent most of the next two months trying to regain health, and he had to go to instructional league in order to make up for lost at-bats. The injury interrupted what was poised to be the breakout year for McElroy. The son of former big league reliever Chuck McElroy and nephew to all-star Cecil Cooper, C.J. was two years removed from dodging a football career at the University of Houston for a $510,000 bonus to play baseball. "It's in my blood," he said. He reached the pros with 80-grade speed on the 20-80 scale. The idea to have him switch-hit was intended to get him one stride closer to first base from the left side. He had to abandon the experiment early in 2013, though the Cardinals hope he revisits it. With little power, McElroy has to focus on walks, gap power and baserunning. He's got the goods to be a basestealer and has improved his instincts. Back up to speed this spring, McElroy will compete for a starting center field job at high Class A Palm Beach.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #17 prospect in 2013
  Even during the lengthy bus trips in the Appalachian League, McElroy didn't feel regret for walking away from a football scholarship to play wide receiver at Houston. The son of former major league reliever Chuck McElroy and nephew of former all-star Cecil Cooper, C.J. signed for $510,000 as a 2011 third-rounder. The swiftest player in the system, he stole 24 bases for Rookie-level Johnson City, becoming more aggressive as coaches worked with him on getting a quality lead instead of just relying on his feet. His speed earns 80 grades on the 20-80 scale from some scouts, and the Cardinals clocked him at 6.37 seconds in a 60-yard dash. Stealing second base wasn't the issue, however; getting to first was. McElroy drew just two walks in his final 31 games because he was determined to enact improvements to his swing. He lowered his back elbow to create fewer grounders and popups. He has little power, so his focus is getting on base. He should develop into a plus defender in center field, though his arm is below-average. During instructional league, McElroy worked on switch-hitting, a new skill he'll continue to refine during spring training. His first full-season assignment awaits in April.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #18 prospect in 2012
  Before he agreed on a $510,000 bonus last summer, McElroy took batting practice at Busch Stadium and mingled with major leaguers. Sitting at a locker assigned to him in the clubhouse, he talked about his baseball vs. football dilemma. "Baseball is in my family," he said. "It's in my blood." It's now his future. The son of longtime major-league reliever Chuck McElroy, C.J. was one of the fleetest talents in the 2011 draft and a multisport threat. As a senior at Clear Creek High (League City, Texas)--the alma mater of Jay Buhner and former Cardinals first-rounder Mark McCormick--McElroy rushed for 1,523 yards and scored 28 touchdowns, stole 33 bases and finished seventh in the long jump at the Texas state 5-A finals. He committed to play football at Houston, where he would have been a wide receiver. St. Louis clocked him at 6.37 seconds in the 60-yard dash, giving him 75-80 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale, and he stole eight bases in 23 pro games. McElroy's quickness gives him plenty of range in center field and helps him compensate for a below-average arm. He shows promising instincts and jumps both in the outfield on the bases. McElroy has a reliable righthanded swing that should translate to pro ball. He won't offer much power, but he recognizes pitches well and can handle good fastballs. He's earmarked for extended spring training but could play his way into a full-season assignment at some point in 2012.