The St. Louis Cardinals’ early-season resurgence was one of the more compelling storylines in baseball—until momentum stalled. Now just three games above .500, the Cardinals remain in the thick of the NL Wild Card race but have dropped seven of their last ten games, including a tense series against division rival Milwaukee. Much of that tension centered around veteran star, who was involved in heated exchanges with both Rhys Hoskins and Jose Quintana—though he later extended forgiveness to Quintana for hitting him with a pitch. He remains a vital part of the current core, but if the Cardinals decide to pivot toward a youth movement, the upcoming draft could be their chance to secure a foundational piece for the future.
One player who could be on their radar is LSU’s elite star. The Tigers punched their ticket to the College World Series after a dramatic ninth-inning comeback against Arkansas—capitalizing on a string of Razorbacks errors. Top star came through in the clutch, delivering the game-winning hit and further cementing his status as one of college baseball’s top power bats.
He may not hear his name called in the first round—largely due to the defensive limitations that come with playing first base—but there’s no denying his offensive firepower. In fact, he’s widely regarded as one of the premier power hitters in the 2025 draft class. Don’t just take it from the stat sheet—MLB Pipeline has echoed that sentiment, reinforcing Jones’s reputation as a game-changing bat with serious pop.
At just 21 years old, he still has some development ahead of him, particularly at the minor league level. He currently ranks just inside the top 100 prospects in this year’s class, according to MLB Pipeline, and didn’t appear in the early rounds of ESPN’s latest mock draft. That opens the door for a team like the Cardinals to potentially take a flyer on him in the second or third round—adding one of the draft’s best power bats without spending a premium pick.
Will the Cardinals move away from Willson Contreras? It’s tough to tell
Willson Contreras is under contract through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028, but his long-term role in the field remains uncertain. The Cardinals have already shifted him from his natural position behind the plate to first base, and if his defensive performance continues to decline with age, a move to full-time designated hitter could be the next step. That’s where a player like Jared Jones could come into play. Once he’s MLB-ready, Jones could provide a stronger defensive presence at first base while bringing the same kind of power the Cardinals desire from that position.
Of course, this is all speculative—for now. Contreras has become a vocal leader for St. Louis’ young roster and remains a central figure in their clubhouse. Still, the Cardinals have been reluctant to part ways with aging stars like Paul Goldschmidt and, eventually, Nolan Arenado—both of whom defined their era in St. Louis. Could Contreras be the next veteran the team hangs onto just a bit too long? It’s a big “what if,” but it’s not off the table.