Top 5 St. Louis Cardinals Prospects in 2016

By Nick Vorholt

Top 5 St. Louis Cardinals' Prospects in 2016

Busch Stadium Saint Louis Cardinals Rookies — With the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates surging while the Cincinnati Reds remain dangerous with Joey Votto and Todd Frazier, the St. Louis Cardinals need their minor leagues to produce some help. As usual the Cardinals are stacked in pitching. Here are five players the St. Louis Cardinals could really use.

5. Marco Gonzales

Marco Gonzales Saint Louis Cardinals Pitcher

5. Marco Gonzales

Marco Gonzales Saint Louis Cardinals Pitcher — Marco Gonzales played at four different levels in 2015, including the majors. He has mixed results in all four. Someday he will be a middle of the rotation starter, but the Cardinals can afford to allow him more seasoning if necessary.

4. Alex Reyes (not pictured)

Mike Matheny Saint Louis Cardinals Manager

4. Alex Reyes (not pictured)

Mike Matheny by Jeff Curry — Alex Reyes went through three levels of the minors in 2015. He projects to be Michael Wacha's sidekick for years to come. Similar to Gonzales, he needs more seasoning and the Cardinals should be able to let him have it.

3. Michael Ohlman

Michael Ohlman Saint Louis Cardinals Catcher with Mike Matheny

3. Michael Ohlman

Michael Ohlman Saint Louis Cardinals Catcher with Mike Matheny — Michael Ohlman is either the heir apparent to Yadier Molina or his backup for the next several years. At some point in 2016 Ohlman will need to be in the majors and eating up innings behind the plate. The good news is that it will likely be in a deep backup position.

2. Patrick Wisdom

Patrick Wisdom Saint Louis Cardinals Third Baseman

2. Patrick Wisdom

Patrick Wisdom Saint Louis Cardinals Third Baseman — With Matt Reynolds and Brandon Moss likely not to return next year, the Cardinals need help behind a returning Matt Adams at first base. Whether that is Matt Carpenter or Patrick Wisdom, the Cardinals will need Wisdom to make the jump to the majors in 2016. They moved Stephen Piscotty to the outfield so that there would be a spot on the infield for Wisdom when he was ready.

1. Tim Cooney

Tim Cooney Saint Louis Cardinals Pitcher

1. Tim Cooney

Tim Cooney Saint Louis Cardinals Pitcher — Tim Cooney is that guy in 2016. He needs to be a stopgap starter at the very least. He may need to be a regular in the rotations depending on injury. With five starts under his belt with the big league club in 2015 he just needs to work on making it deeper into games. If he does that, the Cardinals have a chance to be dominant again in 2016.

Nick Vorholt is a writer for www.RantSports.com covering the Cincinnati Reds and NL Central.

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