The Cardinals are already seeing promising returns from several members of their 2024 draft class early in the 2025 season.
First-rounder JJ Wetherholt has impressed with a strong start at Double-A Springfield, where he’s posting an OPS above .900. Ryan Campos, taken in the fourth round, has shown exceptional plate discipline for High-A Peoria, drawing 14 walks in just 15 games. Ninth-round selection Cade McGee has been hot out of the gate for Low-A Palm Beach, earning a Player of the Week nod for his early-season performance.
But the standout so far has been sixth-round pick Josh Kross. The 22-year-old has split his time between catcher and first base for Palm Beach and is making a serious case as a future cornerstone in the Cardinals’ lineup.
Kross is off to a red-hot start, fueling speculation that he could eventually claim the Cardinals’ first base job—especially with four catchers already in the organization’s top 30 prospects. Speaking to Redbird Rants, Kross credited his success to a strong team effort and a disciplined approach at the plate: “Our pitchers are making their pitches, our defense is keeping errors down, and I’m just attacking pitches I can drive.” He added that getting off to a fast start has helped boost his confidence and will serve as a foundation for handling any future slumps.
A product of Cincinnati, Kross has arguably been the hottest bat in the Cardinals’ system. In 19 games, he’s hit 6 home runs, driven in 29 runs, added 6 doubles and 2 triples, and recorded a 1.048 OPS. One of those games even saw him hit for the cycle—part of a week that earned him Low-A Player of the Week honors across all teams.
“It felt great to win Player of the Week,” said Kross. “But I quickly moved on and focused on earning the next one. I’m just trying to play the best baseball I can for Palm Beach and see where it takes me.”
While many new draftees take time to adapt to pro ball, Kross had a brief stint in Low-A last year, playing 23 games. This season is his first full one, and he’s ready for the grind.
“It’s a long season, and I’ve got to keep working,” he said. “Someone’s always out there grinding. I needed to focus on maintaining my defense this year, not just my offense. That’s been a key adjustment.”
His strong offseason prep—centered on strength and consistency—has clearly paid off.
With nearly 200 plate appearances and close to 50 games under his belt in Low-A, a promotion to High-A Peoria could be just around the corner if he keeps up this level of performance.