The stats and updates of the full season ball position players from the 1st half.
We are at the midpoint of the season – actually a little bit past that, but it’s the All-Star break, and that’s how we’ve determined 1st half and 2nd half stats. Because of this, there is no better time for a minor league update than right now. Today’s post will be about the hitters. Pretty simple reasoning: I don’t have to update any stats because there are no games the day I’m writing this. The stats don’t input on Fangraphs until the day after a game is played for the minors. This is infinitely easier to do for pitchers since there will be many pitchers who will not pitch on whatever day I write the update for the pitchers, and 90 percent of the hitters will play.
Because we’re kind of still in the draft mood, I will be sharing the year and round everyone was drafted. And just to shed some light on the order I choose for players, I do 40 man players first, then top prospects, and then I’ll descend from draft order, starting with most recent.
Memphis
Luken Baker, 28 – 1B (on 40 man)
2nd round (75th), 2018 draft
Stats: 50 G, 212 PAs, .208/.321/.427, 13.7 BB%, 26.9 K%, .219 ISO, .243 BABIP, 95 wRC+
You can sort of see the issue with Baker in these stats, even though it’s small sample. He’s been at AAA for four seasons, and in three of the four, his BABIP has been really low. So he’s probably a low BABIP guy. I don’t think he has the bat to ball skills or power to overcome that, not to mention his lack of defensive versatility.
Matt Koperniak, 27 – OF (on 40 man; #14 VEB prospect)
Non-drafted 2020 signee
Stats: 59 G, 303 PAs, .219/.281/.320, 6.9 BB%, 20.1 K%, .101 ISO, .263 BABIP, 58 wRC+
As someone who has taken not very subtle jabs at the community putting Koperniak on a top 20 list, even I don’t really understand Koperniak’s 2025. He’s walking less and striking out more than last season, with considerably less power. The only reason he has not been DFA’d is because his spot has not been needed, I’m guessing. I would be shocked if he’s in the organization next season.
Michael Siani, 25 – OF (on 40 man)
4th round, 2018 draft (by Reds)
Stats: 51 G, 241 PAs, .226/.314/.375, 10.4 BB%, 24.5 K%, .149 ISO, .281 BABIP, 82 wRC+
On the flip side, many are convinced Siani’s days as a Cardinal are numbered. I am not one of those people. It’s honestly not the worst thing for him to get everyday plate appearances in Memphis. There’s very little chance he can improve himself as a hitter while in St. Louis, appearing mostly as a defensive substitution.
JJ Wetherholt, 22 – 2B/SS (#1 VEB prospect)
1st round (7th), 2024 draft
Stats (AA/AAA): 65 G, 287 PAs, .303/.425/.487, 15.7 BB%, 14.6 K%, .184 ISO, .339 BABIP, 153 wRC+
I was going to split up his stats, but he’s played three total games in AAA so that felt kind of dumb. Fangraphs has this helpful new tool where it gives you a player’s minor league performance for the whole season if they’ve played at multiple levels. He is off to a good start in AAA though. He’s hit a double, triple, and homer in those 3 games, though the triple was really a single + two-base error that was not called that because the fielder never touched the ball.
Jimmy Crooks, 23 – C (#5 VEB prospect)
4th round, 2022 draft
Stats: 68 G, 299 PAs, .260/.321/.440, 8 BB%, 27.8 K%, .179 ISO, .333 BABIP, 98 wRC+
If you’re like me and thought he was having a worse season, well he’s currently on a 13-game hitting streak, which includes 6 extra base hits and five walks. I think the main thing holding him back is the strikeouts, which wasn’t a problem before this year. That did not go away during the hitting streak, with 15 strikeouts in those 13 games.
Nathan Church, 24 – OF
11th round, 2022 draft
Stats (AA): 29 G, 129 PAs, .336/.380/.563, 6.2 BB%, 7.8 K%, .227 ISO, .327 BABIP, 156 wRC+
AAA: 29 G, 133 PAs, .365/.444/.583, 12.8 BB%, 11.3 K%, .217 ISO, .392 BABIP, 170 wRC+
Well isn’t that fun. Due to an injury to begin his 2025, Church has only actually played in 29 games at both AA and AAA. I know a lot of fans want him up, but 29 games at the AAA level is not a lot. Dylan Carlson would still be in St. Louis if we could trust a month’s worth of games (it was only 18 games, but he did destroy AAA in his first month). He probably would be up if he was right-handed though.
Mike Antico, 27, OF
8th round, 2021 draft
Stats: 61 G, 218 PAs, .293/.378/.429, 11.9 BB%, 23.4 K%, .136 ISO, .373 BABIP, 115 wRC+
For you Antico heads out there. His stats look very promising until I get to that BABIP, wRC+, age combo and then I tap out. Also, I know part of being an Antico head is a belief in his defense, but he’s only actually played 6 games in CF this year. I know Siani is also there (though not for the first month). But the message is clear: Siani is easily the better defender of the two.
Cesar Prieto, 26 – IF
Stats: 77 G, 323 PAs, .283/.347/.434, 7.4 BB%, 13 K%, .152 ISO, .313 BABIP, 106 wRC+
Here’s how bad the shortstop depth is behind Masyn Winn. Prieto does not get positive remarks about his defense and yet he’s started 18 games at SS at the AAA level. I find that interesting. Also I won’t be listing his stats, but they also are carrying 17th rounder Brody Moore from the 2023 draft almost entirely because he can play SS. He essentially skipped AA despite not being able to hit at all.
Bryan Torres, 27 – 2B/OF
Stats: 69 G, 267 PAs, .319/.447/.446, 18.1 BB%, 13.1 K%, .127 ISO, .362 BABIP, 145 wRC+
Okay yeah I’m all in on this guy. It goes without saying that he is left-handed. I don’t understand how he’s doing what he’s doing, but I want him to make the majors so bad. He’s played all three outfield positions and 2B this season.
Matt Lloyd, 29 – 1B
Stats: 41 G, .272/.373/.419, 14.2 BB%, 19.1 K%, .147 ISO, .327 BABIP, 112 wRC+
The Cardinals have a couple fun older guys who they signed from Indy ball in Memphis right now. Torres, being two years younger and being able to handle more than 1B or a corner outfield spot, clearly has the better shot of actually getting called up of the two.
Springfield
Chase Davis, 23 – OF (VEB #7 prospect)
1st round (21st), 2023 draft
Stats: 73 G, 314 PAs, .211/.334/.333, 14.3 BB%, 29.6 K%, .123 ISO, .293 BABIP, 91 wRC+
Not super encouraging. Although we do know he might be a player who needs a long time to adjust.
Leonardo Bernal, 21 – C (VEB #8 prospect)
Stats: 64 G, 273 PAs, .278/.349/.469, 9.9 BB%, 15.8 K%, .191 ISO, .295 BABIP, 123 wRC+
I’m most impressed with the strikeout rate to be honest. Most of his stats translated well from High A, where he had a 121 wRC+, but his K rate went from 22.5% to 15.8% without really negatively affecting other aspects of his game.
Dakota Harris, 23 – 2B/3B
11th round, 2023 draft
Stats: 74 G, 300 PAs, .260/.320/.359, 6 BB%, 18.7 K%, .099 ISO, .305 BABIP, 89 wRC+
He’s not a real prospect, but I do find it interesting that he’s already in AA, because one of the usual signs to believe in a prospect is if the Cardinals are rather quick with the promotions, which applies to Harris. Harris is also getting the plate appearances of someone the Cardinals think could have a future. Power will be his downfall though.
Joshua Baez, 22 – OF
2nd round (54th), 2021 draft
Stats (High A): 38 G, 168 PAs, .317/.404/.483, 10.7 BB%, 21.4 K%, .166 ISO, .400 BABIP, 147 wRC+
AA: 35 G, 145 PAs, .258/.366/.525, 15.2 BB%, 25.2 K%, .267 ISO, .304 BABIP, 139 wRC+
I did not realize how reasonable his strikeout numbers were in AA. Even the version of Baez who becomes great in the majors probably has a 30% K rate, but seeing him keep up not striking out all the time is fantastic. Springfield has also done great things for his power. He has also has 34 stolen bases to 5 caught stealing.
Noah Mendlinger, 24 – IF/OF
Non-drafted free agent, 2021
Stats: 64 G, 271 PAs, .293/.411/.338, 12.9 BB%, 8.9 K%, .045 ISO, .325 BABIP, 118 wRC+
This is not a line that will work in the majors, but I am kind of interested in how far he can get with literally no power, but a great eye and good contact skills.
Jeremy Rivas, 22 – SS
Stats: 73 G, 310 PAs, .226/.335/.361, 12.6 BB%, 24.8 K%, .135 ISO, .291 BABIP, 97 wRC+
He has made huge strides this year, but I’m honestly not sure he’s done enough for the Cardinals to put him on the 40, which may mean he may not be in the organization next season. (He should be eligible for minor league free agency)
Ramon Mendoza, 24 – 3B
Stats: 69 G, 266 PAs, .256/.377/.447, 15.4 BB%, 21.4 K%, .192 ISO, .299 BABIP, 129 wRC+
These are weirdly great stats from what looks like an organization soldier. Should we pay attention to this guy more? Lot of real good walk rates from the Springfield crew, good job hitting coaches.
Peoria
Travis Honeyman, 23 – OF (#19 VEB prospect)
3rd round (90th), 2023 draft
Stats (Low A): 29 G, 130 PAs, .321/.446/.443, 15.4 BB%, 14.6 K%, .123 ISO, .376 BABIP, 160 wRC+
High A: 20 G, 86 PAs, .284/.419/.373, 14 BB%, 17.4 K%, .090 ISO, .340 BABIP, 130 wRC+
Honeyman was clearly too good for Low A, and the only thing that hasn’t shown up yet in High A is his power. I think he’s going to like Springfield, whenever he’s promoted.
Won-Bin Cho, 21 – OF (#21 VEB prospect)
Stats: 56 G, 226 PAs, .225/.338/.277, 14.2 BB%, 23 K%, .052 ISO, .307 BABIP, 81 wRC+
His end result is very similar to last year, but I feel like he is making progress. He’s cut his K rate from 31.3% to 23% and improved his walk rate from 8.4% to 14.2%. He didn’t have much power and he has even less this year. Main culprit is a lower BABIP though.
Ryan Campos, 22 – C
4th round, 2024 draft
Stats: 63 G, 278 PAs, .223/.360/.301, 16.9 BB%, 16.9 K%, .079 ISO, .276 BABIP, 95 wRC+
Campos, if you don’t remember, is listed as 5’8, 190 pounds. That was kind of the negative on him, and it’s showing up with his lack of power.
Josh Kross, 23 – C/1B
6th round, 2024 draft
Stats (Low A): 42 G, 183 PAs, .244/.311/.488, 5.5 BB%, 26.2 K%, .244 ISO, .291 BABIP, 122 wRC+
High A: 31 G, 133 PAs, .239/.316/.453, 9 BB%, 28.6 K%, .214 ISO, .293 BABIP, 106 wRC+
Power is very much not Kross’ problem. Unless he gets overwhelmed by AA pitchers – and he wouldn’t be the first – I am kind of excited to see what kind of power he shows there if this is what he’s doing at Palm Beach and Peoria.
Jon Jon Gazdar, 23 – SS/3B
11th round, 2024 draft
Stats: 69 G, 319 PAs, .287/.373/.333, 6.9 BB%, 9.7 K%, .047 ISO, .321 BABIP, 105 wRC+
Again, not really a profile that will work in the majors. Hopefully, he’s good at defense. He’s another undersized guy who probably doesn’t have more power in the tank.
Ian Petrutz, 22 – OF
12th round, 2024 draft
Stats: 61 G, 264 PAs, .261/.373/.383, 10.2 BB%, 12.5 K%, .122 ISO, .290 BABIP, 116 wRC+
Just kind of solid around the board. Still doesn’t have a ton of power, but it is more than last year.
Zach Levenson, 23 – OF
5th round, 2023 draft
Stats: 65 G, 273 PAs, .227/.380/.373, 17.5 BB%, 17.9 K%, .145 ISO, .267 BABIP, 117 wRC+
Real theme developing among the position players in the system, which appears to be just a phenomenal approach at the plate, maybe you wish there was more thump when they hit it though.
Palm Beach
Raniel Rodriguez, 18 – C (#18 VEB Prospect)
Stats (CPX): 20 G, 80 PAs, .373/.513/.831, 20 BB%, 18.8 K%, .458 ISO, .385 BABIP, 236 wRC+
Low A: 27 G, 123 PAs, .221/.333/.423, 13 BB%, 19.5 K%, .202 ISO, .256 BABIP, 117 wRC+
Those are some seriously absurd numbers in the complex league and I didn’t need to post them, because you know he killed the league, but just seeing them in all its glory was too good to pass up. He’s more human in Low A and will certainly repeat Low A next season short of a monster 2nd half, which is a possibility certainly.
Cade McGee, 22 – 3B
9th round, 2024 draft
Stats: 71 G, 312 PAs, .219/.333/.365, 13.1 BB%, 23.4 K%, .146 ISO, .266 BABIP, 105 wRC+
This is actually a huge improvement over last season, though knowing that on some level BABIP is a skill in the minors, I do hope that BABIP rises quite a bit in the 2nd half for me to buy into McGee.
Bryce Madron, 23 – OF
10th round, 2024 draft
Stats: 29 G, 130 PAs, .194/.388/.255, 21.5 BB%, 20.8 K%, .061 ISO, .257 BABIP, 108 wRC+
Madron has accomplished the unenviable task of having the least impressive 108 wRC+ I think I’ve ever seen. For one thing, he’s actually 24 – his birthday was July 1st, which makes this his age 23 season, but he’s the oldest possible 23 you can be. Also, I’m not sharing the stats, but he’s been in some games in both High A and AA, but not in a way that makes me think the Cardinals are believers. He started in Low A, jumped all the way to AA for five games, then got demoted to High A for 12 games, and he’s back in Low A.
Deniel Ortiz, 20 – 1B/3B
16th round, 2024 draft
Stats: 68 G, 284 PAs, .278/.405/.430, 15.8 BB%, 28.2 K%, .152 ISO, .386 BABIP, 143 wRC+
We go from Madron to Ortiz, who is on the opposite end of the spectrum, being very young for Low A – he was drafted at 19 out of a community college – and is achieving a high walk rate with at least some power behind his line.
Christian Martin, 22 – 2B
18th round, 2024 draft
Stats: 48 G, 204 PAs, .273/.355/.335, 10.3 BB%, 17.2 K%, .063 ISO, .333 BABIP, 105 wRC+
I think the Cardinals draft strategy in the less likely to make the majors rounds is to draft players who have great plate approaches – and then hope they figure out how to add power. And honestly, probably a good strategy since it’s I’m guessing part of the logic with why they drafted Matt Carpenter for example.
Sammy Hernandez, 21 – C
Stats: 63 G, 257 PAs, .236/.349/.282, 12.1 BB%, 20.6 K%, .046 ISO, .307 BABIP, 95 wRC+
I don’t think I realized how little power he actually had last year until I noticed how little power he had this year. He made me question where his power went, but he only had 2 homers and a .098 ISO last season. It’s crazy he’s still just 21.
Jonathan Mejia, 20 – 2B/SS
Stats: 47 G, 216 PAs, .189/.312/.306, 15.3 BB%, 32.4 K%, .117 ISO, .278 BABIP, 84 wRC+
Speaking of players whose age seems impossible, Mejia is still just 20. I’m not worried about him – having the short season A ball league would be very helpful for a player like Mejia. But it’s probably right that he’s no longer considered a prospect.
Yordalin Pena, 20 – OF
Stats: 70 G, 284 PAs, .233/.296/.377, 7.4 BB%, 25.7 K%, .144 ISO, .302 BABIP, 93 wRC+
If you want a peak into the offensive environment at Palm Beach, I think looking at Pena’s line does a very good job capturing the difficulty. A .296 OBP and .377 slugging percentage is relatively close to league average.
Jose Cordoba, 22 – OF
Stats: 20 G, 81 PAs, .250/.358/.412, 14.8 BB%, 12.3 K%, .162 ISO, .276 BABIP, 122 wRC+
Cordoba had a really ill-timed injury derail this season. He missed a month and half when he got injured in early May. He then went on a 6-game rehab assignment in the complex leagues and he’s only been in Low A since the beginning of June.
Luis Pino, 21 – OF
Stats: 69 G, 293 PAs, .213/.328/.365, 11.9 BB%, 33.1 K%, .153 ISO, .315 BABIP, 103 wRC+
He only played in 17 games in Low A last season, but he carried nearly a 40% K rate and 5% BB rate, so this is significant progress.
Jose Suarez, 20 – OF
Stats: 53 G, 223 PAs, .244/.287/.306, 4.5 BB%, 29.6 K%, .062 ISO, .350 BABIP, 74 wRC+
Good news: he’s only 20. Bad news: he’s completely overmatched at this level.
In case you didn’t figure it out, the guys who don’t have their drafts listed were international signings. And that’s where I’ll end. I’m ending here and not listing the rookie guys primarily because the rookie season ends fairly soon – might as well wait until it ends to give that update. Also, this is already a long post and ignoring the rookie guys allows me to list more players.