PCL1 Memphis Redbirds

2013 Redbirds Squad Projected to Feature Some of Baseball's Top Prospects

Published on March 11, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Memphis Redbirds News Release


MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The St. Louis Cardinals have been rated as having the best farm system by Baseball America, giving Memphis Redbirds fans the opportunity to watch some of the top up-and-coming talent in the world of baseball during an exciting 2013 season at AutoZone Park.

Six players in the loaded Cardinals minor league system have recently been listed among Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects entering the 2013 season. Most importantly, the 2013 Redbirds roster could potentially boast all six of these prospects at some point throughout the season.

Outfielder Oscar Taveras (#3), who ranked as St. Louis' top prospect and "Best Hitter For Average" in Baseball America's annual rankings earlier this offseason, is among the best hitting prospects in all of baseball after showing off his bat throughout a solid 2012 campaign with Double-A Springfield. Pacing the Cardinals' entire system in hits (153), home runs (23), doubles (37), extra-base hits (67), RBIs (94), and slugging percentage (.572), the reigning Texas League Player of the Year led Springfield to a Texas League championship, his third league title in three years. Additional recent accolades for the 20-year-old include being recognized as a Texas League Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star, Topps Double-A All-Star, Baseball America Minor League All-Star, Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year, and an appearance in the 2012 MLB Futures Game in Kansas City. Taveras is the highest ranking Cardinals prospect to come through the Cardinals' system since Colby Rasmus (#3) in 2009.

Shelby Miller (#6) enters his fourth consecutive year rated as the Cardinals' top pitching prospect and is currently competing with former Redbird Joe Kelly in Spring Training for the fifth starting spot in the St. Louis rotation. The 22-year-old set a Redbirds single-season record with 160 strikeouts last season before making his Major League debut and appearing out of the bullpen for the Cardinals in the playoffs. Limited opportunities in St. Louis could lead to Miller sporting a Redbirds uniform in April.

Kolten Wong (#84), ranked as the Cardinals #5 prospect and "best defensive second baseman" in his respective league during his first two professional seasons in Baseball America's Best Tools Survey (Midwest League in 2011, Texas League in 2012), has been on the fast track to the big leagues since the Cardinals made him the #22 overall selection in the 2011 draft out of the University of Hawaii. After being tabbed as a Texas League Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star while winning his second league championship in two professional seasons, the second baseman capped off the 2012 campaign by hitting .324 in the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League and being named to the "Top Prospects" team. Wong represented the USA squad and faced S-Cardinals' teammate Taveras on the World team in last season's MLB Futures Game in Kansas City.

First baseman Matt Adams just missed the Top 100 list, but is rated as the #2 first baseman in the minors after dominating Triple-A pitching at AutoZone Park last year. The 24-year-old is blocked in St. Louis by former Redbird Allen Craig and is expected to be the everyday first baseman in Memphis if a bench role in St. Louis is not offered.

Another Cardinals farmhand that made the list is right-hander Carlos Martinez (#38), who possesses the organization's "Best Curveball" and a fastball that reaches triple-digits. He's ticketed to return to Springfield to begin the campaign, but could spend time in Memphis before the All-Star break.

Trevor Rosenthal (#39) enters 2013 recognized as having the "Best Fastball" in the Cardinals organization. The flamethrower recently shifted to a relief role in the St. Louis bullpen in Spring Training and is projected to land with the Cardinals on Opening Day.

Since being drafted 19th overall in 2012, Michael Wacha (#76) skyrocketed through the Cardinals organization and claimed a Texas League Championship with Springfield alongside Taveras, Martinez, and Wong. The 21-year-old right-hander is currently having an impressive Spring Training, which could lead to a spot in the Redbirds rotation despite a deep Cardinals system.

Taveras, Wong, and Adams would be members of the most prospect-laden club since the 2008 Memphis squad that included a trio of the game's top 100 prospects (#5 Colby Rasmus, #85 Bryan Anderson, and #97 Chris Perez), and could be potentially joined by Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal, and Wacha at some point in 2013.

The complete Top 100 Prospects list and analysis are available at BaseballAmerica.com.

The Redbirds open the 2013 season at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, April 4 at AutoZone Park against the Oklahoma City RedHawks (AAA-Astros). Ticket packages are currently on sale. Contact the Redbirds at (901) 721-6000 to order tickets or for further details.

Check out the Memphis Redbirds Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from March 11, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central