Cardinals Have Opportunity to Secure Lottery Pick
The St. Louis Cardinals have a rare chance to improve their future prospects by earning a coveted lottery pick in the upcoming draft. This opportunity comes after a disappointing season for the team, but it could be the key to turning things around.
With a record of 71-91, the Cardinals finished in fourth place in the National League Central division. This was a far cry from their usual success, as they have made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons. However, their struggles this year have put them in a prime position to secure a high draft pick.
In the MLB draft, the order is determined by the previous season’s standings. This means that the worse a team performs, the higher their pick will be. And with the Cardinals finishing near the bottom of the league, they have a chance to select one of the top prospects in the draft.
This is a crucial opportunity for the Cardinals, as a high draft pick can greatly impact the future success of the team. In recent years, top picks have gone on to become stars in the league, such as Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. The Cardinals have the chance to add a potential game-changing player to their roster.
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Cardinals Could Still Score Big in 2026 MLB Draft Lottery
The St. Louis Cardinals have been on a roll with top-10 draft picks in recent years, but there’s good news for their future prospects. Despite previous beliefs, the Cardinals will still have a chance to earn a top-six draft pick in the 2026 MLB draft.
According to Derrick Gould of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals have confirmed that they will be eligible for a lottery pick in 2026 if they do not make the playoffs. This news comes as a surprise to many, as it was previously thought that the Cardinals would no longer be eligible for the lottery due to their recent top-10 draft picks.
But what exactly is a lottery pick? In the MLB draft, only the top six picks are considered lottery picks. This means that the Cardinals will have a chance to secure a higher draft pick than their previous top-10 selections.
In the last two years, the Cardinals have been eligible for the lottery but have fallen just outside the top six picks. However, their seventh overall pick in 2025 has turned out to be a success with top prospect JJ Wetherholt. This year, the Cardinals will once again have a chance to secure a top-six draft pick.
It’s important to note that a team can only earn two consecutive lottery picks before they are no longer eligible. So if the Cardinals do not make the playoffs in 2026, they will have another chance at a top lottery pick in 2027.
This news comes as a silver lining for the Cardinals, who have had a disappointing 2025 season. With the potential to secure a top draft pick in 2026, the Cardinals can look towards the future with optimism and use this opportunity to build a strong team for years to come.