Noah Cardenas

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #438 prospect in 2021 draft
  Cardenas entered the year considered one of the top catchers in the draft class after a strong summer with the Santa Barbara Foresters in the California Collegiate League, but he regressed in the spring and struggled mightily on both sides of the ball. He hit just .252 with five home runs for the Bruins and drew critical reviews on his defense. At his best over the summer, Cardenas showed an above-average to plus arm, was an excellent blocker and was active behind the plate in working for his pitchers. During the season, however, his arm was average, he had careless drops and his effort behind the plate drew scathing reviews from scouts. Cardenas has shown the ability to be an above-average catcher in the past, so teams hope he can return to that previous form. Cardenas’ strike-zone discipline also regressed from the summer to take away one of his best offensive traits. He has below-average bat speed and little power, so his offensive value is dependent on him cutting down on his strikeouts and drawing more walks. Cardenas’ past performance and a general lack of catching depth have some teams still interested in drafting him near the end of the draft’s second day, although most teams now consider him a Day Three talent.