2016 Draft Report Card: St. Louis Cardinals

BEST PURE HITTER: OF Dylan Carlson (1) is a switch-hitter with a track record of hitting in upper-level showcase events. He has an advanced understanding of what pitchers are trying to do, has a good feel for the game and projects as an above-average hitter. SS Delvin Perez (1) has greater upside as a hitter than Carlson with lots of bat speed and the speed to beat out infield hits. He could end up as a plus hitter but has further to go as far pitch recognition.

BEST POWER HITTER: Carlson could develop above-average power as he matures. He showed some of that potential with a strong finish to his pro debut. After hitting only five extra base hits in June and July, Carlson had 14 extra-base hits in August while slugging .523.

FASTEST RUNNER:  Perez is a plus runner who knows how to use his speed. He swiped 12 bags in 13 tries in the Gulf Coast League. OF Shane Billings (13) is also a plus runner.

BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER:  Perez was considered by many to be the best defensive shortstop in the 2016 draft class and is a plus defender. He has a plus arm, plenty of range and the hands and actions teams look for in a shortstop.

BEST FASTBALL: RHP Dakota Hudson (1) will pitch at 92-96 mph on his best days, settling in around 92-94 regularly. He does need to improve the command of his plus fastball. RHP Connor Jones (2) likes to work in the bottom of the strike zone with an above-average 90-92 mph sinker, but has reached 96 mph with his four-seamer.

BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Hudson’s 78-82 mph curveball regularly flashes plus. Jones does a good job of controlling his plus 82-85 mph slider.

BEST PRO DEBUT: C Jeremy Martinez (4) hit .325/.419/.433 with twice as many walks (32) as strikeouts with short-season State College. C Andrew Knizner hit .319/.423/.429 with Rookie-level Johnson City.

BEST ATHLETE: Perez was seen as one of the best all-around athletes of this year’s draft class, although his positive test for performance-enhancing drugs before the draft tarnishes that reputation.

MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: RHP Sam Tewes (8) missed most of the past two seasons at Wichita State with elbow injuries showed a 92-95 mph fastball when healthy.

CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Hudson, Jones and RHP Zac Gallen (3) should be in a race to the big leagues as a trio of aces at major Division I schools.

BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: LHP John Kilichowski (11) returned to Vanderbilt after an excellent sophomore season but struggled through an injury-plagued junior season. If he returns to form he has a chance to be a lefty reliever and possibly more. 2B J.R. Davis (15) is a power-speed second baseman who can hit. There are questions about his defense at second base, but his willingness to work gives him a chance to improve.

THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: A wide receiver who played on back-to-back Oklahoma state championship football teams, OF Cade Cabbiness (21) has a big league body and
significant raw power. He signed with Oklahoma State.