The St. Louis Cardinals’ first pick in the 2010 draft received near-record money and a major league contract.
In recent years, the St. Louis Cardinals have been accused by some of being too cautious with their early draft picks. Reasons suggested include reluctance to pay over slot and a preference for finished collegians with higher floors but lower ceilings.
With two sandwich round selections in the 2010 draft due to the free agent losses of Joel Pineiro and Mark DeRosa, the Cardinals added a high schooler plus three college players, two sophomores and a junior, in the first 75 picks.
Three are right-handed pitchers, Seth Blair, Tyrell Jenkins and Jordan Swagerty, along with the organization’s top pick, former Arkansas third baseman Zack Cox. Cox, taken 25th overall as a draft-eligible sophomore, was considered by some to have been the top college hitter in the draft, yet fell to the Cardinals due to signing concerns.
On the August 16 deadline, Cox and the Cardinals agreed to a major league contract that will reportedly guarantee him a total of $3,200,000 over four years. It included a signing bonus of $2,000,000, ranked fifth all-time for an amateur with the Cardinals. It was the first major league deal given by the organization to a draftee since J.D. Drew in 1998.
To avoid using one of Cox’ three or four allowable minor league option seasons in 2010, the organization assigned Cox to the Gulf Coast League, a level of play far below his skill level. With so little time remaining in the season, he suited up for just four games there. The left-handed hitter went 6-for-15, .400, with five singles and a double. Cox drew one walk and collected one RBI.
The organization then assigned Cox to the Arizona Fall League, where his hitting coach was Springfield’s Derrick May. The AFL is considered a showplace for players on the cusp of the majors, with the vast majority having Triple-A or Double-A experience.
Initially, I questioned the Cardinals for making this aggressive move with the 21-year-old, but they really did not have other good options available. Without a fall instructional league camp, getting meaningful professional playing experience elsewhere in 2010 would have required Cox to play in an international winter league. That environment is far less controllable and therefore presents an even higher risk.
After a very slow start, Cox improved as he went along, with a .324 average and a .993 OPS over his last ten AFL games. Overall, his slash line was a middle-of-the-road .262/.333/.446 in 65 at-bats. Cox’ 14 RBI in 18 games tied for 22nd in the league. He also received defensive instruction there from Cardinals minor league field coordinator Mark DeJohn. Fielding remains the biggest question about Cox’ future.
With few third base prospects in upper reaches of the system other than Matt Carpenter, who seems slated for Triple-A Memphis, Cox’ initial 2011 destination remains up in the air. If he has a good spring camp and the Cardinals continue to be aggressive, Double-A Springfield may not be out of the question.
After all, what differentiates Cox from the organization’s first-rounder two years prior, Brett Wallace, is that major league deal. By definition, the sand will be flowing through Cox’ hourglass more quickly.
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[...] director and minor league improvement 18. Big Mac’s return 17. Not trading Colby Rasmus 16. Zack Cox’ major league deal 15. 14. 13. 12. 11. 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. [...]
Issuing a ML deal was a reasonable way of holding down Cox’s signing bonus by providing a different benefit. Some other teams invest more in aggregate signing bonuses, one of the most revealing indicators of commitment to amateur recruitment.
Cox told me that he expected an MLB contract and it was clear that he had considerable leverage as a soph. Cards still got it done.
Cox was able to land a sweeter deal because a draft eligible sophmore. In selecting Cox, Swagerty (another sophmore) and Jenkins, the Cards were aware they would have to provide over-slot deals to induce them to turn pro.
Maybe they spent all their money in the draft. Over at the main site, I posted a view of the curious lack of minor league signing activity by the Cardinals.
The Cards did grab one guy due to have become a minor league free agent, the pitcher Augenstein.
A couple of months ago, Mo said something about wanting to add more AAAA types, to unearth another Ludwick; he must have found the market unappealing. There are not a lot of undervalued assets. Plus its not like past signees Royce Ring and others of his ilk have been impact players. Ludwicks are rare, not reliably to be found.
The Cards probably do not want to add clutter to the Memphis roster. They have generally succeeded in supplying AAA from below. This is a positive in terms of giving maximum opportunities to homegrown players.
Jumbo said: “This is a positive in terms of giving maximum opportunities to homegrown players.”
True, of course, IF the homegrown players are ready. As I noted, there is a considerable risk in the infield without external reinforcements. Left-handed relief looks shallow. A veteran outfielder would also be a solid addition.
Another LH reliever would seem helpful.
Also another 3Bman, given Freese’s vulnerability.
It seems plausible there will some signings during Jan-Feb.
The ML guys who have been acquired thus far, Tallet, Laird, Theriot, and Berkman are generally coming off lowkey, subpar seasons. This made them cheaper than had they enjoyed flashy success during 2010.
there are still several INF types available who have some MLB experience-Craig Stansberry 2B,
Travis Metcalf 3B,Matt Brown 3B and Chris Carter 1B-OF LH bench bat,Jeremy Reed OF Lefty backup OF type,
All the above have some big league time.Metcalf has almost 2 seasons,Reed has 3 plus,Carter for a reserve on the Mets last year,
Yep, there are still some decent-looking guys out there. Wonder what the club is waiting for? After-Christmas sales?
I am awed by all the minor league knowledge on this blog. This is one area I have always been ignorant of. I’m like that city kid who thinks steak comes from the freezer section of the supermarket.
Probably too old to learn it now. Wouldn’t know how to do it anyway. I”ll just have to rely on you guys I guess.
CC is definitely the man to listen to as far as prospects go.
Brian, I wish you had done the ML FA article over here. Articles here seem to get more blog buzz elsewhere and this one deserves it.
Thanks.
Pretty heavy contract for a kid with no listed representation……….. is there a story there…… does he have a smart mother???????
I’m thinking someone has hijacked Westie’s account. Still got the ………. going on but he seems to be talking less in code!
Maybe it is a Xmas present for you CC.
The Red Sox demanded an extension……….against SD demands……for Gonzales…………..and then didn’t sign it, much to the chagrin of Gonzales and agent. The argument against seeing this as a simple reduction in luxury Tax liabilities, seems to hold a lot less weight considering the signings that have come afterwards……….. a little back loading doesn’t work just as well on a 7 yr deal? That is about something…
There is a lot going on in MLB…………that would include the Boras/Beltre slow down in Anaheim.
Beltre has been offered good money……………….. what other situations might warrant this slowdown?
Surely not an expectation the BD might spend should AP walk……….. how is Beltre a pawn for slowing down the market as far as Boras is concerned? Any ideas?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Bisciotti
This is who is hold 10% of the Cardinal ownership……………….. see anything interesting? …….according to reports he paid 2001 one prices for the shares……………
We had a few classic high school football games in the state championships out here RC……
De Lasalle going against Servite. Catholic Schools of course ………… DL is the best program in the country……….Servite was rated 4th nationally…….all black uniforms……..big……fast……mean…doing a Maori Hakka before the game for the cameras………….. De L just a bunch of well disciplined high school kids who play better than anybody else. Five games on one field in 30 hrs in this storm. It started out well……..a little nicked up during game 3……by game five…….a mess…..standing water and the works………………….. 35 Zip at the half De Lasalle…….the 200lb front line kids destroyed the 300 lb beasts with perfect line play amplified by the mud…………… they would have won anyway I think, but watching a vaunted team just fold with their tales between their legs was startling.
Folsom against Serra…………tremendous offensive teams. Folsom, our Northern Cal kids, leap to a 14 / 0 lead and a great team is on the ropes……. threatening a blowout, Folsom coach calls a time out goes out on the field and calls a triple reverse pass after an interception………. it got stuffed…….next play an interception………and in 5 minutes its 20/ 14 Serra……….. incredible momentum shifts……….the kids seem almost paralyzed by the momentum shifts under difficult conditions……………………….. Folsom comes out at the half and scores 27 unanswered in response against an incredibly talented program of future super stars………… North won 4 / South 1 in the 5 divisions……………… I know they play football in Alabama…….don’t they? We have a local boy playing for the Ducks…………. looking for trouble……………. Auburn is gimmicky reliant….QB options can be stopped by a smart team……..Oregon is all gimmick………and plenty of it. Pick a winner?
I hope the AAA roster doesn’t get clogged up with Rubens and Rich Hills. It seems like its opened up more than usual. The roster matrix shows plenty of chance for upward mobility for the worthy. Among infielders especially.
Last year the bench was all rookies I think. This year, so far, it looks like Craig, Jay and Greene, all with some experience, and all seemingly have passed the Tony/Albert stink test. Plus maybe Descalso, except he could compete with Skip. At least it is a bit more experienced than last year, but not what Tony would want. Like last year, it may start out like that, with Mo adding a veteran or two as things go along.
Wasn’t expecting to see Greinke in the Central. The Yankees are still trolling for a starter.
I might look into tickets for the Brewers weekend series at Busch beginning of May.
Be hard to believe BD gave up on his young moment BB……….. looks to me like he has a young spare behind every “bald tire” on the team………….looks to be just a short time before the platoon takes over in right. Greene appears just as unsubstantial as Craig under the current hitting regime. I don’t see any depth at all here…………but hey, I could be………..nay………….
Don’t count on the platoon too much, Westy, half of it may be blocking shots at third. Unless Mo was pulling our leg.
The Brewers are going to be tough. They have added two solid top of rotation guys in Greinke and Marcum without giving up significant O or D. It is hard not to contrast that with the Cards giving up one of the better right fielders and a big part of the lineup for a middle rotation guy.
Worse, only a couple of months of use of a middle of the rotation guy (that didn’t help put them over the top).
bb — The Crew might actually have done the Cards a favor by adding RH pitching. Last year Milwaukee started lefties against us in 10 of 15 games, using 4 different guys. The Birds went 3-7 in those games. The Cards went 7-8 overall vs. the Crew, so all but one loss came when they started a lefty.
Here’s how those pitchers break out. Read as Pitcher (Cards W-L): Wolf (1-3), Narveson (2-1), Parra (0-2), and Capuano (0-1). Capuano was traded, Wolf is still in their rotation and we did OK vs. Narveson. Not sure about the status of Parra, but assume he’ll be in the pen or the #6 starter for them in 2011.
To your point about Ludwick… agree that we gave too much for Westbrook when we traded him but I never held that against Jake.
Before Ludwick/Freese went on the DL (late June) the Cards were effective facing LH starters, holding a 15-9 (W-L) record in those games. In July-Oct, without Ludwick and Freese in the lineup, the team went 11-19 vs. LH starters, ending at 26-28 for the year.
With Ludwick/Freese out of the picture, Albert & Matt saw little to hit in key spots and Colby (in the 5 hole) was not very clutch. To my mind, the loss of Luds/Freese was the second biggest turning point of the 2010 season, right behind losing Penny/Lohse on back-to-back days in May.
I hope you two feel better now.The Cards middle of the rotation guy pitched very well.Ludwick was a nonfactor in SD.I liked Luddy…………………..but i understand the reason the trade was made. Suppan,Hawksworth and Ottavino were not getting the job done.