The St. Louis Cardinals have a rich history of developing talented players through their farm system and drafting well. One such player who has made a significant impact on the team is Tommy Edman.
Edman was selected by the Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2016 MLB Draft and worked his way up through the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in 2019.
Since then, Edman has proven to be a versatile player, capable of playing multiple positions, and has provided solid performance at the plate. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at how the Cardinals acquired Tommy Edman, his journey to the major leagues, and his impact on the team.
We will also discuss the importance of drafting and player development in building a successful team, using Edman’s story as an example.
Background on the Mlb Draft
The MLB Draft is an annual event where each of the 30 MLB teams selects amateur baseball players for their teams. The draft is typically held in early June and consists of 20 rounds, although it has varied in the past.
The draft order is determined by the teams’ records from the previous season, with the worst teams receiving the earliest picks.
Scouting and drafting are critical components of building a successful baseball team. A team’s ability to identify and acquire talented players can have a significant impact on their success in the long term.
Successful teams invest heavily in scouting and player development to ensure they can acquire and develop players who can contribute to the team’s success. The MLB Draft is an essential part of the process, as it allows teams to acquire young players with high potential and develop them over time.
The St. Louis Cardinals have a long history of success in the MLB Draft. They have drafted several players who have gone on to have successful careers, including Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, and Paul DeJong.
The Cardinals have also been able to develop talent from their farm system, including current players like Jack Flaherty and Dakota Hudson.
The team’s success in drafting and player development has been a significant factor in their success over the years, and Tommy Edman is just one example of a player who has contributed to the team’s success through this process.
Drafting Tommy Edman
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Tommy Edman in the sixth round of the 2016 MLB Draft, with the 196th overall pick. At the time, Edman was a shortstop out of Stanford University, where he had just finished his junior year.
Edman had a successful college career at Stanford, where he was a three-year starter and hit .303 with six home runs and 78 RBIs in 166 games. He was known for his strong defensive skills at shortstop and his ability to hit for average.
In scouting reports leading up to the draft, Edman was praised for his versatility and athleticism, with some scouts suggesting he could play multiple positions at the next level.
After being drafted, Edman began his professional career in the Cardinals’ minor league system. He started at rookie ball in the Gulf Coast League before quickly advancing to the Low-A Peoria Chiefs. In 63 games with the Chiefs, Edman hit .271 with three home runs and 23 RBIs.
He continued to advance through the Cardinals’ system, spending time with High-A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield before making his MLB debut in 2019.
In the minors, Edman showed a consistent ability to hit for average and get on base, while also displaying his versatility by playing multiple positions, including third base, second base, and outfield.
His solid performance in the minors earned him a call-up to the major leagues in 2019, where he quickly established himself as a valuable player for the Cardinals.
Edman’s Impact on the Cardinals
One of the key strengths of Tommy Edman is his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. While he primarily played shortstop in college and the minor leagues, he has played all over the diamond for the Cardinals, including second base, third base, and the outfield.
This versatility has allowed the Cardinals to use him as a utility player, filling in wherever needed and providing valuable depth to the team.
In addition to his defensive versatility, Edman has also shown strong offensive performance in the major leagues. In his first season with the Cardinals, he hit .304 with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs in 92 games, earning him a fourth-place finish in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.
He followed that up with a .250 batting average, five home runs, and 26 RBIs in the shortened 2020 season. Despite a slow start in 2021, Edman has continued to be a consistent performer at the plate and on the basepaths.
Edman’s ability to play multiple positions and hit for average has made him an important player for the Cardinals. He has filled in at various positions due to injuries or rest days for other players, allowing the team to maintain a strong defensive presence while also providing offense.
His versatility has also allowed the team to make strategic decisions with their lineup, including moving him around to create favorable matchups against opposing pitchers.
Overall, Edman’s impact on the Cardinals cannot be overstated, as he has become an integral part of the team’s success through his versatility, consistency, and solid performance.
Tommy Edman’s Performance in the Major Leagues
| Season | Games Played | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBIs | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 92 | .304 | 11 | 36 | 15 |
| 2020 | 55 | .250 | 5 | 26 | 2 |
| 2021 | 7 | .296 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Note: This table shows Tommy Edman’s performance in the major leagues for the seasons in which he played. It includes statistics such as games played, batting average, home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases.
FAQs
What other notable players have the St. Louis Cardinals drafted in recent years?
The Cardinals have a history of success in drafting and developing talent, with notable recent picks including Jack Flaherty, Paul DeJong, and Harrison Bader.
What is the typical career path for a minor league player to make it to the major leagues?
Most minor league players will spend several years playing at different levels of the minor leagues, gradually advancing through the ranks as they prove their skills and ability to compete at higher levels. The path to the majors can be a long and challenging one, with only a small percentage of minor league players ever making it to the big leagues.
What is the significance of a player’s draft round in the MLB Draft?
While there is no guarantee of success for any player drafted in any round, higher draft picks are generally considered to have more potential and be more likely to succeed than lower draft picks. This is because higher draft picks are typically more highly scouted and have demonstrated stronger skills and abilities prior to the draft.
What role do scouting reports play in the draft process?
Scouting reports are an essential part of the draft process, as they provide teams with valuable information about a player’s skills, strengths, and weaknesses. These reports are compiled by professional scouts who have watched the player perform in college or high school games and provide valuable insights into a player’s potential as a major league prospect.
How do teams decide which position to play a player in?
A player’s position is typically determined by a combination of their physical attributes, skills, and the needs of the team. Coaches and managers will evaluate a player’s defensive abilities and determine where they can best contribute to the team’s success. Players may also be moved around to different positions based on injuries, matchups against specific opponents, or other strategic considerations.
Conclusion
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Tommy Edman in the sixth round of the 2016 MLB Draft, and he quickly established himself as a versatile player for the team, playing multiple positions and hitting for a solid average.
Edman’s success can be attributed to his strong college career, solid performance in the minor leagues, and ability to play multiple positions on the field. His impact on the Cardinals has been significant, with his versatility and consistency making him an important part of the team’s success.
As the Cardinals continue to rely on Edman’s skills and abilities, it will be exciting to see how he continues to develop and contribute to the team’s ongoing success in the future.
