St. Louis Cardinals

TRACK RECORD: Montero raced up the Cardinals' system after signing for $300,000. He won MVP of the low Class A Midwest League in 2018 and was pushed aggressively to Double-A in 2019, when he hit his first speed bump. Montero missed three weeks with a wrist injury and another two months with a broken hamate. The combination of injuries, interrupted playing time and older competition contributed to a .188 average in 59 Double-A games.

SCOUTING REPORT: Montero's youth and tools hold promise despite his down year. He is a physical, strong hitter with excellent hand-eye coordination, bat speed and plus raw power. He does damage when he connects and uses the whole field. Montero got by on his natural gifts at lower levels and is still learning to develop a plan against upper-level pitchers. He has the physical skills to be an above-average hitter, though his pitch recognition and swing path regressed in 2019. Montero has the plus arm for third base, but his thick body limits his range and makes him a fringe-average defender likely to move to first base.

THE FUTURE: Evaluators remain bullish on Montero's bat and consider 2019 a lost year. His health and improvements to his approach will be key to watch in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: The towering Oviedo has been a frustrating blend of big stuff and poor control since he signed with the Cardinals for $1.9 million out of Cuba in 2016. He reached Double-A Springfield as a 21-year-old in 2019 and led the system with 163 strikeouts, but he also led it with 76 walks.

SCOUTING REPORT: Oviedo stands an imposing 6-foot-6 with long limbs that are both a blessing and a curse. He generates easy velocity on a 94-98 mph fastball that plays up with extension out of his large frame, making it a potential plus pitch. He can get his average curveball over for a strike and puts hitters away with a tilting, snapping slider that earns above-average to plus grades. He also teases an above-average changeup. Oviedo flashes a good delivery and shows feel to pitch, but his command and control vary wildly from start to start. His preparation and maturity are improving but still need work.

THE FUTURE: Oviedo's size, stuff and delivery are that of a starter, and evaluators are optimistic he will grow into his body and improve his control and consistency. He should see Triple-A Memphis in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: Fernandez grew up in Miami but moved to the Dominican Republic in high school so he could sign for more money as an international free agent. The Cardinals signed him for $400,000. Fernandez's career got off to a fast start, but shoddy control and repeated arm injuries halted his rise and forced him to move to the bullpen. He logged a 1.52 ERA over 45 appearance across three levels in 2019 and made his major league debut in August.

SCOUTING REPORT: Fernandez is a high-octane righthander with a 95-97 mph fastball with heavy sink. He was previously over-reliant on his fastball and got hit, so the Cardinals implored him to use his secondaries more last season. Fernandez's plus mid-80s changeup with armside fade is a swing-and-miss offering, and his hard, upper 80s slider improved to begin flashing plus. Fernandez's control is below-average, but he was far more effective with a better pitch mix.

THE FUTURE: Fernandez has the stuff to pitch in late relief. He'll be in the Cardinals bullpen in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: The Cardinals drafted Woodford 39th overall in 2015 and signed him for $1.8 million. He spent all of 2019 at Triple-A Memphis and finished third in the Pacific Coast League in ERA (4.15) and strikeouts (131), but he also issued a league-high 75 walks.

SCOUTING REPORT: Woodford is a burly 6-foot-4, 220-pound righthander who flashes big stuff. His fastball sits 94-96 mph and his cutter works 87-89 mph in short bursts, but both lose steam as his outings progress and settle in as average offerings. His mid-80s changeup and upper 70s curveball flash average as well. Woodford struggles to maintain his aggressiveness or throw the right pitches in the right situations, often taking his foot off the gas against weaker hitters and getting tentative in the strike zone. The result is long innings and elevated walk totals.

THE FUTURE: Woodford may break in as a starter, but most see his future as a short-burst reliever. His ML debut should come in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: Torres signed with the Indians for $150,000 in 2016 and emerged as a rising prospect in their system. The Cardinals acquired him and outfielder Conner Capel at the 2018 trade deadline in exchange for Oscar Mercado. Torres struggled after the Cardinals pushed him to low Class A Peoria to open the 2019 season, but he flourished after dropping down to Rookie-level Johnson City.

SCOUTING REPORT: Torres stands an imposing 6-foot-4 with long levers and flashes quality at-bats. He makes loud contact when he connects and has the bat speed, strength and leverage to grow into above-average power. Torres has the physical tools to hit for a solid average, but he is prone to chasing out of the strike zone and is still learning to pick out which pitches he can drive. He is a deceptively good right fielder who gets anticipates well, gets good jumps and takes proper angles to the ball. He has a plus arm.

THE FUTURE: Torres has the tools of a prototypical right fielder. He will return to Peoria in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: The Cardinals invite 60-70 unsigned players to their Dominican academy every winter to try and find players who were overlooked during the international signing period. Rodriguez was one of those unsigned invitees in 2016 and impressed the Cardinals with his catch-and-throw skills. They signed him for $25,000. Rodriguez led high Class A Palm Beach in batting average and OPS through the first half of 2019 to earn Florida State League all-star honors, then was promoted to Double-A.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez stands out for his solid all-around game more than any individual tool. He makes frequent contact with a short, compact stroke, drives the ball with gap power and flashes occasional home-run power to his pull side. He controls the strike zone and limits his strikeouts. Though thick, Rodriguez is an above-average receiver and blocker who keeps wild pitches and passed balls to a minimum. His arm strength is average and plays up with his above-average footwork, transfer and accuracy, resulting in consistent sub-2.00 second pop times.

THE FUTURE: Rodriguez has a quiet personality and is still working to improve his leadership and game-calling abilities. If he does, he has a chance to be a steady everyday catcher.

TRACK RECORD: Rondon was already 18 when the Cardinals signed him for $25,000 out of the Dominican Republic in Jan. 2016. He made his age irrelevant with a quick ascent through the Cardinals system. After cruising through the low minors, Rondon earned All-Star honors in the high Class A Florida State League and jumped to Double-A Springfield in 2019. He finished second in the Cardinals system in ERA (2.93) and strikeouts (159) and was named their minor league pitcher of the year.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rondon has a potent mix of funk and power. He dials his fastball up and down anywhere from 90-97 mph, sitting 93, and keeps hitters off balance with a long, pronounced delivery. He complements his fastball with an above-average hard slider that drops under barrels. Rondon's delivery leads to scattered command and fringe-average control, but he keeps everything around the strike zone and has an advanced feel for throwing the right pitch in the right situation. He won the Texas League ERA title and finished second in the league with a 1.23 WHIP.

THE FUTURE: Rondon became a favorite of rival evaluators during the season, who mostly think he will end up a power reliever. He will move to Triple-A Memphis in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: Nunez starred for Cuba's junior national teams as a teenager and signed with the Cardinals for $300,000 in 2018. He won the Dominican Summer League triple crown after signing, but fell flat in his U.S. debut in 2019. Nunez hit .183 in 21 games at low Class A Peoria before being demoted, then drew mixed reviews at Rookie-level Johnson City.

SCOUTING REPORT: Nunez is a thick-bodied masher defined by his bat. He flashes plus raw power and has the bat speed to turn around velocity. Nunez makes loud contact when he connects, but his approach is very raw. He is still learning to stay back on breaking balls and struggles to get to his power in games. Nunez is listed at 205 pounds but is closer to 225. He flashes soft hands and plus arm strength at third base, but his throwing is inconsistent and his size limits his range. He is a well below-average runner.

THE FUTURE: Nunez has a thunderous bat, but he is very raw as both a hitter and defender and will have to watch his weight. He'll get another crack at low Class A Peoria in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: Whitley missed all of 2016 after having Tommy John surgery and pitched only three games the following season for Division II Mount Olive (N.C.). The Cardinals saw enough to draft him in the 27th round and signed him for $75,000. Whitley quickly rewarded their faith, reaching Triple-A Memphis in his second full season and logging a 2.01 ERA over 104 career appearances.

SCOUTING REPORT: Whitley is a big-armed, 6-foot-4 righthander who looks the part of a major league reliever. He powers his four-seam fastball downhill at 94-97 mph, getting swings and misses in all parts of the strike zone. Whitley complements his heater with a vertical 84-85 mph slider that dives under barrels and a fading 83-84 mph changeup that neutralizes lefties. Whitley's control occasionally escapes him, but he stays around the strike zone enough to be competitive. Despite being a fly-ball pitcher, he has allowed only five home runs in 156.2 career professional innings.

THE FUTURE: Whitley has the stuff and steady demeanor to pitch in high-leverage relief. He should join the Cardinals bullpen in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: The D-backs drafted Williams 52nd overall in 2013 and traded him to the Rays one year later in the deal for Jeremy Hellickson. The Rays sent him to the Cardinals as one of three prospects for in exchange for Tommy Pham at the 2018 trade deadline. Williams' first full season in the Cardinals organization was limited to 53 games by injuries. He missed the start of the season after punching a television, then went on the injured list twice with hamstring injuries during the year. He still managed to finish with a 1.045 OPS in 36 games at Triple-A Memphis.

SCOUTING REPORT: Williams intrigues as a natural athlete with above-average raw power from the left side. He manages the strike zone and recognizes pitches, but his segmented swing results in too many ground balls. At his best he drives the ball to all fields and can elevate for home runs. Williams is a fringe-average runner whose reads and effort waver in the outfield. His best position is right field where he can utilize his plus, accurate arm.

THE FUTURE: Williams has a chance to see the majors in 2020. He'll break in as a reserve.

TRACK RECORD: Gil drew split opinions as a prospect in the 2018 draft class, but the Cardinals liked his athleticism and instincts and selected him in the third round. He signed for $900,000 to pass up a Texas Christian commitment. Gil's skills and athleticism proved even better than expected when he reported to the Cardinals after signing, and he followed up with a solid season as an 18-year-old in the Rookie-level Appalachian League in 2019.

SCOUTING REPORT: Gil is the son of former Rangers and Angels infielder Benji Gil. He is a smooth, confident shortstop with soft hands and mature actions, and he can make throws from anywhere on the diamond with his above-average, accurate arm. Gil takes an advanced approach at the plate and makes hard contact when he connects. He has a fast, loose swing and the strong hands and wrists to project power as he matures physically. Gil doesn't have any plus tools, but he has no major weaknesses, either.

THE FUTURE: Gil will move to low Class A Peoria in 2020. He projects as a solid all-around infielder.

TRACK RECORD: Sosa signed with the Cardinals for $425,000 in 2012. After missing much of 2016 and 2017 with wrist and hand injuries, Sosa stayed healthy in 2018 and jumped three levels to the majors. He spent most of 2019 at Triple-A Memphis and returned to the majors twice as a callup.

SCOUTING REPORT: Previously known for his defense, Sosa made an adjustment to use his hands more in his swing and keeps adding power. He hit a career-high 17 home runs in 2019 and slugged .466. Sosa is a free swinger who is aggressive early in counts and rarely walks, but his growing power gives him a chance to make some offensive impact. Defensively, Sosa has the hands and above-average arm to be an above-average shortstop. His defense previously played down due to poor instincts, but he has started positioning himself better and playing with more effort.

THE FUTURE: Sosa began playing second and third base the last two years to prepare for a utility role. He will try to win a spot on the Cardinals' bench in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: Fletcher reclassified from the 2020 to the 2019 draft class three months before the draft, sending scouts scurrying up to Maine to see him. The Cardinals had prior history with Fletcher and drafted him in the second round, No. 58 overall. He signed for $1.5 million to forgo a Vanderbilt commitment.

SCOUTING REPORT: Fletcher is a plus-plus runner and has explosive quick-twitch movements in both the outfield and the batter's box. He has plus raw power, but he's very raw as a hitter. Fletcher is extremely pull-oriented with a long swing and a big leg kick, and opponents found him to be an easy out if they threw him breaking balls. He struck out 76 times in 175 plate appearances (43 percent) in his pro debut. Fletcher has excellent range and closing speed in center field and should be a plus defender as his reads and jumps improve with experience. He has a plus arm that notched nine assists in 38 games.

THE FUTURE: Fletcher is an elite athlete but has a long way to develop as a hitter. He'll spend most of 2020 at Rookie levels.

TRACK RECORD: Locey teamed with Orioles prospect D.L. Hall and Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm to lead Warner Robins (Ga.) High to a state title in 2016. Locey went on to Georgia and spent two years in the Bulldogs rotation, taking over as their Friday starter midway through his junior year. The Cardinals drafted him in the third round, No. 96 overall, and signed him for $604,800.

SCOUTING REPORT: Locey's primary weapon is his plus fastball. It's an explosive pitch that sits 94-96 mph and touches 98, and it plays at the top of the strike zone despite the lack of an elite spin rate. Locey complements his heater with a sharp, short slider with late break that flashes plus at its best, although it plays down because he has trouble locating it in the strike zone. His fringy curveball serves as a usable early count pitch. Locey's control ranges from below-average to average.

THE FUTURE: Locey's control and lack of a reliable third pitch make him a future reliever for many evaluators. The Cardinals will keep him as a starter for now.

TRACK RECORD: Elledge followed a long line of hard-throwing Dallas Baptist relievers and set a school record with 26 saves his junior year. The Mariners drafted him in the fourth round in 2017 and traded him to the Cardinals one year later for Sam Tuivailala.

SCOUTING REPORT: Elledge has an imposing frame at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds and uses it to his advantage. He has a slight cross-body delivery, helping him hide the ball and prevent hitters from picking it up. Elledge's high-spin fastball sits 91-93 mph and plays up with late life and carry through the zone. He backs it up with a hard, downer curveball in the low 80s that flashes average. Elledge's big body and high-effort delivery cause him to lose his balance and result in below-average control. He has a career rate of nearly four walks per nine innings

THE FUTURE: Elledge is in position to join the Cardinals bullpen in 2020 as a low-leverage middle reliever. He'll open the season back at Triple-A.

TRACK RECORD: Seijas signed for $762,500 as the headliner of the Cardinals' 2015 international class and quickly conquered the Rookie levels. He struggled with the jump to full-season ball and repeated low Class A Peoria in 2019 before earning a promotion to high Class A Palm Beach.

SCOUTING REPORT: Seijas is undersized at 6-foot-1 but has plenty of arm strength with a fastball that reaches the mid-90s. His breaking ball gets slurvy at times but flashes as an average curveball, and his changeup is a fringy but usable offering off his fastball. Seijas is still working on the mental part of the game. He often lacks a plan to set hitters up and is prone to losing his focus. He is a solid competitor who stays poised, but he needs to be more consistent with his focus and command.

THE FUTURE: Seijas has the stuff and pitch mix to project as a back-end starter or middle reliever. He'll see Double-A Springfield in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: Roberts led the Atlantic Coast Conference in strikeouts in 2018 and was drafted by the Cardinals 43rd overall. He got his professional career off to a bad start when he tested positive for marijuana twice and received a 50-game suspension to start the 2019 season. Roberts struggled when he returned, posting a 6.44 ERA with nearly as many walks (35) as strikeouts (36) at high Class A Palm Beach.

SCOUTING REPORT: Roberts has plenty of stuff when his head is right. His fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s and reaches 97 mph with running life. His slider is a plus pitch with exceptional movement and depth. He also flashes an average changeup with fade. Roberts's high-effort delivery and low arm slot make him a likely reliever, but the Cardinals will continue to start him. He rebuilt his stock with an excellent showing in the Arizona Fall League, where he posted a 3.07 ERA over four starts with 18 strikeouts and two walks in 14.2 innings.

THE FUTURE: Roberts has early red flags, but the Cardinals believe he has matured and learned from his mistakes. They are banking an uninterrupted 2020 will allow Roberts' best to come out.

TRACK RECORD: Baker achieved folk hero status at Texas Christian as a hefty masher who became one of college baseball's top sluggers. The Cardinals drafted him 75th overall in 2018 and signed him for $800,000. Baker struggled his first full season as his towering flies fell short of the wall at cavernous high Class A Palm Beach, but he adjusted his pitch selection late in the year and slugged .654 in August.

SCOUTING REPORT: A burly 270 pounds with a physique likened to a lumberjack, Baker boasts plus raw power and doesn't have to swing hard to get to it. He began chasing pitches out of the zone as his early-season power drought extended, but by the end he returned to recognizing pitches, taking a patient approach and showing the mix of discipline and bat control to project as an average hitter. Baker is limited to first base by his size and below-average range. He picks balls out of the dirt well enough to be playable.

THE FUTURE: Baker's late-season improvement and a move to hitter-friendly Double-A Springfield bode well for a bounceback season in 2020. He will go as far as his bat takes him.

TRACK RECORD: Toerner started all four years at Cal State Northridge, where his late father Sean was an All-American infielder and a 1980 draft pick of the Giants. He signed with the Cardinals for $3,000 as a 28th-rounder in 2018 and quickly outplayed his draft spot, reaching high Class A two months after signing and finishing his first full season in Double-A.

SCOUTING REPORT: Toerner is 5-foot-10 but plays above his size with a high effort level and sneaky tools. He is a patient lefthanded hitter who makes frequent contact with a short, whippy swing. He controls the strike zone, makes pitchers work and rarely strikes out. Toerner's power is more suited for doubles, but he can drive the ball out to both gaps. Toerner is an above-average runner, has an average arm and has the range and instincts to play all three outfield positions.

THE FUTURE: Toerner does everything well enough to be a potential fourth outfielder. He'll open 2020 back at Double-A.

TRACK RECORD: Jones anchored Virginia's national championship-winning staff as a sophomore and emerged as its Friday night starter as a junior. The Cardinals drafted him in the second round in 2016 and signed him for $1.1 million. Considered a "safe" pick out of the draft, Jones' control instead abandoned him as a pro, and the Cardinals moved him to the bullpen full-time in 2019.

SCOUTING REPORT: Jones' stuff ticked up with his move to the bullpen. A sinker that sat 92-93 mph as a starter is now a heavy, 95-98 mph bowling ball that breaks bats and induces ground ball rates north of 60 percent. Jones complements his sinker with an above-average, 84-87 mph power curveball with sharp downward bite, and he keeps an average mid-80s changeup with depth in his back pocket. Jones tends to overthink and nibble rather than attack, resulting in a troublesome walk rate even in relief.

THE FUTURE: Jones has the stuff to pitch in relief, but he needs to get out of his own head and throw strikes.