​Draft Day 2026 has arrived, and it’s a landmark moment for the Cardinals. With six selections in the top 100, they’re poised to inject a major boost into an already strong farm system. Like many fans, I’ve spent countless hours poring over mock drafts, scouting reports, and podcasts to get ready for the big day. Now that the moment is here, no one can predict with certainty what the Cardinals will do—and that’s part of the thrill. In this piece, I’ll argue why I think the Cardinals could shock the league with their first pick and shine a light on a few lesser-known prospects who might be on their radar. But first, let’s set the scene.
Day 1 – Rounds 1-4
Time: Saturday, July 11, at 12:00 p.m. CT
Location: Philadelphia, PA
How to watch:
– Picks 1-10: NBC/Peacock
– Picks 11-40: MLB Network, MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
– Picks 41-135: MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
Day 2 – Rounds 5-20
Time: Sunday, July 12, at 10:30 a.m. CT
How to watch: MLB.com, MLB.TV, MLB+
Cardinal considerations
Bonus Pool: $16,612,300 (6th largest)
Day 1 Picks:
– Pick 13: $5,661,300
– Pick 32: $3,044,600
– Pick 50: $1,982,700
– Pick 68: $1,285,500
– Pick 72: $1,174,300
– Pick 86: $943,600
– Pick 114: $684,300
That’s a lot of talent headed toward the organization by the end of Day 1. The prevailing industry consensus is that the Cardinals will lean toward hitters early in the draft, while also eyeing high-upside, toolsy players in the class.
Today, I want to sketch the “expected” scenario for how the top of the draft will unfold and what the Cardinals might do with the 13th overall pick. The 2026 class is widely regarded as exceptionally deep, especially among the high school ranks, though there’s less differentiation at the very top beyond the first trio of players.
After twelve teams make their selections, the top options for the Cardinals can be roughly divided into four tiers.
Tier 1
By now, it would be surprising if Roch Cholowsky (shortstop, UCLA), Grady Emerson (shortstop, Fort Worth Christian HS), and Vahn Lackey (catcher, Georgia Tech) aren’t selected within the opening three picks. None of them are likely to fall to the Cardinals. The most intriguing twist would be if one of them slipped from the top three, triggering a more chaotic domino effect that catches teams off guard.
Tier 2
Eric Booth (outfielder, Oak Grove HS), Jacob Lombard (Gulliver Prep HS), and Jackson Flora (right-handed pitcher, UC Santa Barbara) are widely viewed as the next tier of high-end options. It would be a significant surprise if any of these players dropped all the way to pick 13.
Tier 3
Drew Burress (outfielder, Georgia Tech), Tyler Bell (shortstop, Kentucky), Ryder Helfrick (catcher, Arkansas), and Derek Curiel (outfielder, LSU) form the final distinct tier of players who often appear ahead of the Cardinals in mock drafts.
Tier 4
Beyond these groups, there are other conceivable targets who could slip into the conversation, especially if the top tiers move in unexpected ways. The “bottom” of this tier includes players who may not be household names yet but carry intriguing upside and could become valuable big-league contributors with the right development.
As the draft approaches, the Cardinals’ decisions will hinge on a combination of organizational needs, long-term development plans, and the unsettled nature of the board. If you’re hoping for a bold move, the first pick could surprise by selecting a player who demonstrates rare upside, even if it isn’t the conventional favorite. Either way, with an influx of six high-potential picks in the top 100, the Cardinals have a real opportunity to strengthen their pipeline for years to come.