Cardinals Take One Of The Best Pure Hitters In 2023 Class In Latest Mock Draft

St. Louis could take a top high school hitter in the upcoming draft

Could the St. Louis Cardinals take a chance on one of the top-performing high school hitters in the country in the upcoming draft next month?

The 2023 Major League Baseball Draft is set for July 9 in Seattle, where the Cardinals will have the No. 21 pick in the first round.

The Athletic's Keith Law, one of the top draft experts in the league, has the Cardinals drafting Pennsylvania shortstop Kevin McGonigle.

"I know the Cardinals were one of the few teams still on McGonigle late in his season, and the Cardinals have certainly had more success with high school hitters in the first round (Jordan Walker, Nolan Gorman, Dylan Carlson) than other categories of players," The Athletic's Keith Law wrote Tuesday.

McGonigle is the number the No. 26 prospect in the upcoming draft according to MLB Pipeline and posted monumental numbers throughout his high school career.

The 18-year-old hit .498 with 50 extra-base hits including 24 home runs, 77 RBIs and a 1.653 OPS in 73 games played for the Monsignor Bonner Friars across three seasons.

The young stud has had a monstrous senior season hitting .530 with 18 extra-base hits including six home runs, 22 RBIs, a strong 2-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 2.008 OPS in 25 games.

The aggressive left-handed slugger also shined with USA Baseball's 18U team where he earned himself a gold medal for his stellar performance. His average doesn't jump off the page but his slugging does.

McGonigle hit .240 with six hits including one home run, eight RBIs and a .887 OPS in nine games with the pressure of representing his home country.

McGonigle is known for his bat primarily, with average speed and defense. Some speculate that he might have to move to second base down the road, but for now, he's an elite hitter at a premium position. 

There's no doubt that this phenom has immense potential and that his fearless approach at the plate could benefit St. Louis in years to come should they go in this direction.

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