Cardinals Draft Prospects
Cardinals Select Pitcher Montesa, Shortstop Maniscalco Facing College or Pro Decision
Key Points
Montesa shows a four‑pitch mix with a mid‑90s fastball that can reach 98, plus a spin‑friendly upper‑70s curve, a shorter mid‑80s slider, and a firm upper‑80s changeup, but his command is a major hurdle as evidenced by a 5.98 BB/9 in Big 12 play and him being pulled from the rotation late in 2026.
Maniscalco projects as a plus defender at short with smooth actions and well above‑average arm strength, backed by a high baseball IQ, but evaluators remain concerned about hitting consistency and his deep trigger in the swing; he is a switch‑hitter with a stronger lefty stroke.
Maniscalco drew strong club attention at the MLB scouting combine, highlighted by a 97 mph throw from shortstop to first; MLB.com lists him as the #49 overall prospect (ESPN has him at #25), aided by his reclassification to 2026 which makes him one of the youngest players in the market.
Maniscalco’s family ties to Mississippi State run deep: his father Matt Maniscalco played shortstop for MSU and later reached AAA with the Rays, and Matt ran a travel‑ball program; Rocco committed to MSU before the draft and now faces the decision to sign or enroll at Mississippi State.
The St. Louis Cardinals made two notable picks in the 2026 MLB Draft, selecting West Virginia right-hander Dawson Montesa at No. 72 overall and Alabama prep shortstop Rocco Maniscalco at No. 50 overall. on3.com called Montesa's selection "one of the bigger surprises" of the draft, while Maniscalco arrives as one of the youngest prospects in the class after reclassifying to 2026.
Maniscalco, a 6-foot-2 switch-hitter, was picked in the second round with a slot value near $1.98 million. He now must decide between signing with St. Louis or enrolling at Mississippi State, according to MLB.com.
Montesa's Big Arm Comes With Big Control Problems
Montesa stands 6-foot-1 and throws four pitches. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and can hit 98 mph. He also throws an upper-70s curveball, a mid-80s slider, and a firm upper-80s changeup, according to Yahoo Sports. That mix gives him a real shot at starting in pro ball.
But control is a serious concern. Montesa walked 5.98 batters per nine innings in Big 12 play, and the Cardinals pulled him from the rotation late in the 2026 season, Sports Illustrated reported. His raw stuff is starter-quality. His command has to catch up before he can fulfill that ceiling.
Maniscalco's 97 MPH Arm Wowed Scouts at the Combine
Maniscalco turned heads at the MLB scouting combine with a 97 mph throw from shortstop to first base. That throw helped cement his reputation as a plus defender with a well above-average arm. Evaluators also praise his smooth actions and high baseball IQ.
His draft rankings vary. MLB.com lists him as the No. 49 overall prospect in the class. ESPN ranks him at No. 25. His reclassification to 2026 made him one of the youngest players available, which adds long-term upside to his profile.
Hitting Consistency Remains the Key Question for Maniscalco
Maniscalco is a switch-hitter with a stronger stroke from the left side. But evaluators have flagged his hitting consistency as a concern. He has a deep trigger in his swing, which can cause timing issues against high-level pitching. His defensive tools grade out well ahead of his bat right now.
The Cardinals are betting on projection. Maniscalco is 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds with room to add strength. His power potential from both sides of the plate could grow as he fills out. The $1.98 million slot value gives St. Louis real leverage to sign him before he heads to Starkville, according to MLB.com.
A Baseball Family Roots Maniscalco in the Game
Rocco Maniscalco grew up around professional baseball. His father, Matt Maniscalco, played shortstop at Mississippi State and reached Triple-A with the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Matt later ran a travel baseball program, giving Rocco early and constant exposure to elite coaching.
That background shows in Rocco's advanced feel for the game. He committed to Mississippi State before the draft, continuing the family connection to the school. Now he faces the choice many prep players face — take the money or build his game in college. The Cardinals are hoping the $1.98 million slot value makes pro ball the easier call.
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