Unknown Cardinals Prospect Appears To Be Potential Stud After Breakthrough This Season
The St. Louis Cardinals haven't been what many have hoped for this season, but that doesn't mean the club doesn't have a bright future.
There's still plenty of time left in the 2023 campaign so the Cardinals very well could make up some ground in the National League Central standings and maybe even earn a postseason spot, but the club will need a major turnaround shortly. St. Louis currently has the firepower to do so and there are still just about 100 games left in the season so maybe things can still go well for the club this season.
Even if the Cardinals aren't able to turn things around this season, St. Louis certainly still does have a bright future. Top prospect Jordan Walker has shown flashes at the big-league level and is just 21 years old. Matthew Liberatore has also looked solid in a small sample size and is just 23 years old. St. Louis has a few elite prospects knocking on the door of a promotion to the big leagues in No. 2 prospect Masyn Winn and No. 4 prospect Gordon Graceffo and plenty more.
One underrated prospect who also could be of some help to the big league club is 26-year-old Luken Baker. The 2018 second-round draft pick has worked his way up the Cardinals' farm system and is in the middle of the best season of his young professional career. Baker is a career .257 hitter in the minor leagues over five seasons but took a massive step forward with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds and in 54 games slashed .313/.434/.641 to go along with 18 home runs and 53 RBIs.
Baker made his MLB debut on June 4 and has appeared in two games so far with St. Louis and already has collected three hits in just eight at-bats. The 26-year-old has seen time as a designated hitter and at first base so far this season so with 2022 National League Most Valuable Player Paul Goldschmidt on the roster, Baker likely won't see much time shortly at first base unless a surprising trade is made. He could earn some time as designated hitter if he can continue to hit.
He may not be one of the club's top prospects, but there's a chance that he can help out the big league club if his breakout season continues. All in all, things are looking up for the Cardinals despite a rough start to the 2023 campaign.
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