2026 Top 50 Cardinals Prospects: 21-25

2026 Top 50 Cardinals Prospects: 21-25

Here’s the next round of prospects – #21 through #25. Three were acquired in the last year in trade, showing how Chaim Bloom’s front office is revamping the system. There is a lot of upside on this list, but also a large chance that these guys don’t develop like the organization hopes.

21. Chen-Wei Lin

Position: Pitcher
Height/Weight: 6’7″/188 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 11/22/2001 (Age 24)
Signed: July 3, 2023 for $500K
Highest Level: AA
MLB ETA: Late 2027

Pitches:
Fastball — Plus (60 grade): Typically 95–98 mph, can touch 100–101 mph; features heavy arm‑side run (16+ inches) but below‑average ride, limiting swing‑and‑miss despite elite velocity; effective at generating weak contact, though he still tends to leave it over the heart of the plate and must improve edge command.
Changeup — Plus (60): 86–89 with excellent arm‑side movement and ~7 inches vertical separation from the fastball; generated 50–54% whiff rates vs. lefties, holding them to a .144 wOBA in 2024; most polished pitch and a key weapon against both lefties and righties.
Slider — Below Average to Average (40–50): Mid‑80s gyro‑style slider with below‑average spin; effective at lower levels because it tunnels well off his fastball; the shape remains inconsistent due to pronation‑dominant mechanics.
Splitter — Below Average (40–45): mid‑ to high‑80s with strong sink; introduced in 2024, so still developing; adds another downward‑action pitch to complement the fastball/changeup combo.

Command/Control — Average: Saw vast improvements after 2023 by rebuilding delivery from pitching instructors and uncle Hong-Chih Kuo. Delivery became more fluid and repeatable, leading to decreased walk rates. Height and tunnelling add to his potential.

Overall Projection
Ceiling: #3 starter if he can improve the slider or splitter and continue to improve his command; the slider would be the best option since it tunnels the fastball.
Floor: High level reliever; the FB/CH combination only look better in short stints.
Most Likely Outcome (2026–27): His first exposure to the Majors will be in the bullpen, with hopes to stretch him out the following season (2028 is my guess for that).

22. Braden Davis

Position: Pitcher
Height/Weight: 5’11″/180
Bats/Throws: L/L
Born: 04/09/2003 (Age 22)
Drafted: 5th Round (142 overall) in the 2024 MLB Draft
Highest Level: Hi A
MLB ETA: 2028

Pitches:
Fastball – Average (50): Sits 91–94 mph, touching 97; carries both ride and run, making it play above its velocity despite below‑average extension; velocity increased in 2025.
Slider – Average (50): Low‑80s, slurvy break with solid depth; effective as a secondary swing‑and‑miss pitch offering.
Changeup – Above-Average (60): Low‑80s with heavy arm‑side fade; his most advanced off‑speed pitch; generates weak contact and fits well with his fastball movement profile.
Cutter – Below Average (45): More developmental pitch, used selectively.

Command/Control – Below Average: Posted 51 walks in 69 IP in 2025 (6.7 BB/9), one of the highest of his limited career. Mechanics impact the effectiveness of his slider. His smaller size also impacts his mechanics and brings questions to being a starter.

Overall Projection
Ceiling: #4-5 starter; that’s a big if because of the command issues. He’ll need to improve the slider or cutter to pair with his 2 better pitches.
Floor: Mop up guy; he’ll be able to handle innings in the bullpen, but that command will limit his effectiveness. Bullpen is a very good possibility with his FB/CH combo.
Most Likely Outcome (2026–27): I don’t see him as an option before 2028 because of the command issues.

23. Nate Dohm

Position: Pitcher
Height/Weight: 6’4″/210
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 01/09/2003 (Age 23)
Drafted: 3rd Round (82 overall) in the 2024 Draft by the Mets; acquired from Mets with 2 others for Ryan Helsley in 2025.
Highest Level: Hi A
MLB ETA: 2028

Pitches:
Fastball — Average (55): 93–95 mph, touches 96 with impressive carry at the top of the zone, allowing him to miss bats up high.
Slider — Average (55): Mid‑80s with short, late bite; considered his best breaking pitch and a reliable swing‑and‑miss option; with development could be a future plus pitch.
Curveball — Average (50): Low‑80s, slower with more depth; useful as a change‑of‑pace secondary.
Changeup — Below Average (40): Upper‑80s with arm‑side action, primarily used vs. left‑handed hitters; still needs a lot of work to be effective.

Control — Average: Improved significantly in college after early struggles. Maintains solid strike‑throwing ability when healthy.

Overall Projection
Ceiling: #3-4 starter; must improve his curve and change to get here. He has the frame to be a starter and the improved command/control is a good sign.
Floor: Middle reliever; the fastball/slider combo is ideal for the bullpen, and he could see an increase in velocity in small stints.
Most Likely Outcome (2026–27): Like Davis, he’ll need a big step forward to be in the picture by 2027; he’ll probably start out as a reliever to get used to Major League hitters.

24. Blaze Jordan

Position: 1B
Height/Weight: 6’0″/220
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 12/19/2002 (Age 23)
Drafted: 3rd Round (89 overall) in 2020 by the Red Sox; acquired from the Red Sox for Steven Matz in 2025.
Highest Level: AAA
MLB ETA:2026

Hit Tool — Below Average (40-45): Shows a mix of natural bat speed, strong hands, and the ability to punish mistakes; below average due to swing‑and‑miss issues, especially against high velocity and advanced sequencing; aggressive early in counts, often expanding the zone and chasing too frequently; struggles to impact mid‑90s heat and elevated fastballs.

Power — Above-Average (60): Widely regarded as plus raw power; first became famous as a teen by hitting 500‑foot homers and winning a high school derby during MLB’s 2019 All‑Star Week; translating raw power into consistent game power depends heavily on contact frequency which has been an issue; 2025 max exit velocity reached 110.6 mph.

Speed — Poor (30): Likely to get slower as he ages due to a stocky, fully matured frame; Speed is not a meaningful part of his game, and he provides minimal baserunning value.

Defense — Average (50) at first base; Below Average (40) at third: Has played both 1B and 3B, but most scouts project him to settle at first base long‑term; Third Base: Limited range and inconsistent footwork; not a natural mover at the position; above-average arm strength; body transformation in 2024 improved agility enough that he might fill in at 3B situationally, but it’s not a preferred spot. First Base: Soft hands, improved footwork, more confidence picking throws; could grade out as above‑average (60) with continued reps.

Approach/Baseball IQ — Average to Above-Average (50-60): Continues to be a high‑work‑ethic player with strong hitting instincts and natural power; drastically reworked his body entering 2024, dropping 20 pounds and improving his agility—positively impacting his defensive outlook.

I liked getting a guy like Jordan for an expiring contract; there is upside, but less than there was 2-3 seasons ago for Jordan. You have to like that raw power though; the kids been hitting bombs since he was 11 years old.

Overall Projection
Ceiling: Everyday first baseman; if the power moves from raw to in-game (20+ homers per season), they can take a below average contact hitting first baseman.
Floor: Power-hitting pinch hitter; he can hit the ball hard, and that’s something worthwhile from the bench.
Most Likely Outcome (2026–27): I think we’ll end up seeing him this season if he can get reps at first and/or DH; he could turn into a platoon option by the end of the season.

25. Yhoiker Fajardo

Position: Pitcher
Height/Weight: 6’3″/180
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 10/03/2006 (Age 19)
Signed: 02/20/2024 for $400k by the White Sox; acquired from the Red Sox with 2 others for Willson Contreras in 2025.
Highest Level: Lo A
MLB ETA: 2028?

Pitches:
Fastball — Average (50): 93–95 mph, touching 96–97 mph; uses both 4‑seam (up in the zone) and 2‑seam (run and sink) variations; velocity jumped significantly from 2024 to 2025.
Slider — Average (55): 82–86 mph, more vertical than horizontal with depth and late bite; already flashes bat‑missing capability; previous orgs have worked with him on adding a sweepier variant.
Changeup — Average (55): 85–88 mph, includes a “kick‑changeup” he began using in 2025; rapid development; shows quality movement and bat‑missing flashes.

Command/Control — Average: Good feel for spreading the zone with different pitch shapes; throws strikes consistently for his age; walk rates have been notably low across levels; advanced feel for sequencing for a teenager; understands how to attack zones with varying pitch shapes; avoids barrels consistently due to pitch movement and command rather than deception; athletic delivery helps him repeat pitches despite low extension.

I have him lower than most rankings, but it’s easy for teenagers to not develop as a team would hope.

Overall Projection
Ceiling: #2-3 starter; that’s if any of his pitches take a step forward as he matures. Right now, nothing tops out above-average but he’s still a teenage.
Floor: Mop up guy; command is everything with him right now and guys like that can make a living pitching an inning at a time.
Most Likely Outcome (2026–27): Not in the picture before 2028

I’ll be back tomorrow with 16-20.

The full rankings: 1-5 | 6-10 | 11-15 | 16-20 | 21-25 | 26-50