The St. Louis Cardinals continued their pitching-heavy approach in the 2025 MLB Draft by bolstering their depth with three more arms and a promising glove during rounds 11 through 14. After using their early picks to address high-upside talent, the Cardinals focused on rounding out their roster with a mix of projectable pitchers and a versatile defender — moves that could pay dividends in the years to come.
In the 11th round, St. Louis grabbed right-handed pitcher, a junior out of the University of Houston who impressed scouts with his mid-90s fastball and sharp breaking ball. Known for his competitive edge and command, Cordova projects as a potential bullpen weapon with starter upside. The 12th round brought another righty, Carter Rustad out of Missouri, who features a four-pitch mix and a bulldog mentality. He’s a durable arm with local ties and could quickly climb the system with continued development.
The Cardinals stuck to the pitching theme in the 13th round by selecting left-hander Jacob Henderson from Fresno State. A deceptive southpaw with excellent movement and feel for the strike zone, Henderson has been climbing draft boards thanks to a strong finish to his college season. With a smooth delivery and solid changeup, he’s the type of polished arm that fits well in St. Louis’ development system.
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Breaking from the pitching run, the Cardinals added slick-fielding infielder Mason Kelly in the 14th round. A glove-first shortstop out of the high school ranks, Kelly is praised for his defensive instincts, quick first step, and soft hands. Though his bat is still developing, his defensive skill set is elite for his age — and St. Louis believes the offense will come with time. For a franchise built on fundamentals and strong player development, this string of selections adds both depth and upside as the Cardinals look to strengthen their farm system for the future.