The Road to The Show™: 2022 Draft Picks
Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at how some 2022 Draft picks have fared in their first month of full-season action. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here.
Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at how some 2022 Draft picks have fared in their first month of full-season action. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here.
During his introductory press conference in Baltimore as the No. 1 overall selection in last year’s Draft, Jackson Holliday expressed hope that he could reach the Majors quickly. So far, he’s on a pretty good pace.
Holliday, MLB Pipeline’s No. 10 overall prospect, was promoted to High-A Aberdeen on Monday after getting off to a fast start in his first full season. He was named Carolina League Player of the Week in his curtain call with Single-A Delmarva.
“It's awesome to be able to get into an organization that is heading in such a great direction,” Holliday told MLB.com. “I'm hoping that I can get [to Baltimore] fast and contribute in a good way.”
In 13 games, Holliday batted .392 with a 1.190 OPS. He collected nine extra-base hits, including a pair of homers that came in the same game. He also stole three bases and had a higher walk rate (21.5 percent) than strikeout rate (18.5 percent).
Holliday won’t be the first member of the 2022 Draft class to reach the Majors when that day comes. That honor belongs to Zach Neto, the No. 13 overall selection, who has an opportunity to take over as the Angels’ full-time shortstop. But Holliday is moving rather quickly toward his big league opportunity.
The 19-year-old is younger than everybody that appeared on a High-A club’s Opening Day roster. There have also been just seven players drafted in 2022 who have played at multiple levels already this season.
The Orioles selected Holliday, a lefty-batting shortstop and son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, out of Stillwater (Okla.) High School and signed him to a reported $8.19 million signing bonus, which was a record for a high school player.
Holliday also forced a quick promotion last year after being drafted. He reported to the Rookie-level Florida Complex League in August and tore the cover off the ball for eight games, batting .409 with a 1.167 OPS. Holliday recorded his first professional homer and drew 10 walks while striking out just twice.
The six-foot, 185-pound slugger finished the remainder of the 2022 season with Delmarva. Holliday didn’t quite tear up the Carolina League the way he did at the beginning of this season. But again, he displayed plate discipline and an advanced approach, collecting 15 walks and striking out 10 times in 12 games.
Holliday’s hot start in 2023 was likely forecasted by his incredible spring. In 16 Grapefruit League appearances, he collected six hits in 14 at-bats and drew four walks. So far, he’s been everything the Orioles could have asked for from a No. 1 overall pick.
Below are some other 2022 Draftees who have had a strong start to their first full season. Click HERE for a more in-depth look at the most successful players in each Draft class since 1995.
Kumar Rocker, RHP - Texas Rangers
Rocker looked like his absolutely dominant college self in his first two Minor League starts for High-A Hickory. He gave up his first runs of the season in his third start against Bowling Green and enters the week with a 2.19 ERA and 20 punchouts over 12 ⅓ innings. Rocker’s ERA, WHIP (0.81) and opponent’s batting average (.159) are the best among the four 2022 Draftees with at least 20 strikeouts so far this season. After one of the most well-decorated college careers ever at Vanderbilt, Rocker was drafted by the Mets with the No. 10 overall pick in 2021. New York never offered him a contract, however, after some concerns arose following his physical. Instead of returning to Vanderbilt, Rocker underwent shoulder surgery that fall and pitched for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Frontier League in 2022. The Rangers selected him with the No. 3 overall pick last year, and he made his professional debut with Surprise in the Arizona Fall League.
Spencer Jones, OF - New York Yankees
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound slugger from Vanderbilt cooled off a bit for High-A Hudson Valley in the past week, but Jones made more noise than most Minor League hitters out of the gate after Opening Day. The No. 25 overall pick had 10 hits through his first 22 at-bats, seven of which went for extra bases, including three that left the yard. So far, he’s one of only 12 members of last year’s Draft class with at least three homers. Jones enters the week batting .255 with an .815 OPS, four stolen bases and 10 RBIs through 13 games. New York’s No. 5 prospect has been bitten by strikeouts as of late, with 16 in his past eight games.
Gabriel Hughes, RHP - Colorado Rockies
The No. 10 overall selection, Hughes opened the season with five hitless innings against Eugene, and then set a season high with seven punchouts in his following start. In total, he’s struck out 13 batters while allowing just three total hits with a 0.90 ERA over 10 frames. So far, he’s one of seven 2022 Draftees to complete at least 10 innings and post an ERA better than 1.00. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound power pitcher has had an interesting path to professional ball. He was born in Anchorage, Alaska, and is currently pitching in his college town in Spokane, where he went to Gonzaga. Colorado’s No. 6 prospect was a two-way player in college but transitioned to the rotation full-time in 2022.
Sterlin Thompson, OF - Colorado Rockies
It’s been a pretty incredible month for Thompson, who has reached base in more than half his plate appearances through the first month of the season with High-A Spokane. Thompson enters the week ranked second in the Minors with a .477 average, while his .519 on-base percentage ranks 16th. He’s one of 10 qualified hitters batting at least .400 at this stage in the season. The No. 31 overall pick and eighth-ranked Rockies prospect has also used the whole field to achieve his 21 hits this season, going to the opposite side nearly as often (33 percent) as he’s pulled a hit into right field (35.7 percent). While it remains to be seen what kind of power Thompson can produce from his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame, he’s already shown an advanced ability to put the bat on the ball.
Gerard Gilberto is a reporter for MiLB.com.
Cardinals release 2025 Promotional Schedule
With Cardinals Baseball set to return to Hammons Field on April 4, we're excited to unveil our promotional schedule for the 2025 season! This year's schedule boasts more theme nights than we have ever had before as well as your favorite weekly promotions, the return of the Springfield Cashew Chickens
Austin French to perform postgame on Cardinals Faith & Family Night
SPRINGFIELD, MO - The Springfield Cardinals are excited to announce that Christian music artist Austin French will headline the second-annual Faith & Family Night Concert, presented by The Wind, at Hammons Field on August 15. Get ready for an inspring evening at the ballpark with French's concert, a Cardinals game
Jason Schwartz named new voice of Springfield Cardinals
SPRINGFIELD, MO - The Springfield Cardinals are excited to announce that Jason Schwartz has been named the team's new Play-by-Play voice starting in the 2025 season. Schwartz becomes the fifth lead broadcaster in the franchise's history, which began in 2005. "We're ecstatic to have Jason join our franchise's list of
Springfield Cardinals announce 2025 Coaching Staff
SPRINGFIELD, MO (January 17, 2025) - The St. Louis Cardinals have announced the Springfield Cardinals coaching staff assignments for the 2025 season. For the first time since 2021, Springfield will have a new manager in Patrick Anderson as well as two additional new personnel and four returners. After winning 2024
Hammons Field named 2024 Professional Baseball Field of the Year
SPRINGFIELD, MO (January 8, 2025) - The Sports Field Management Association and Springfield Cardinals have announced that Hammons Field, the home of the Springfield Cardinals, has been named the 2024 Professional Baseball Field of the Year. The SFMA Field of the Year honor is awarded to the best natural grass
St. Louis Cardinals Caravan returns to Springfield January 17
SPRINGFIELD, MO (January 6, 2025) - The St. Louis Cardinals and Springfield Cardinals have announced that the 2025 Cardinals Caravan will come through Springfield, MO on Friday, January 17 with an annual stop at Hammons Field. This year's guests visiting Springfield are current Cardinals RHP Andre Pallante, LHP Matthew Liberatore,
Holiday Three-Packs: How to buy and redeem
Celebrate the holidays Cardinals-style! 🎁 With our brand-new Holiday 3-Packs, pick out any three games you want AND your choice of an available past Promo Item, all for just $33! Click Here for 3 Games + a Past Promo Item for just $33! Or call us to order yours and
Matt Lloyd opens up about release from Reds, career path to Cardinals
Springfield outfielder Matt Lloyd was previously released by the Cincinnati Reds in 2022. After a stint in Independent Baseball, he recently landed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024. His first season back in affiliated baseball was stellar as he led the Springfield Cardinals in homers and RBI. In this
Matt Svanson talks trade to St. Louis and more in new interview
Matt Svanson was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the St. Louis Cardinals for shortstop Paul DeJong and cash in 2023. Since then, Svanson has become a franchise record holder for the St. Louis Double-A affiliate in Springfield and one of the most reliable relief pitchers in all of
Jimmy Crooks and Quinn Mathews named St. Louis Player and Pitcher of the Year
SPRINGFIELD, MO (October 14, 2024) - The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that Springfield Cardinals C Jimmy Crooks and LHP Quinn Mathews have won the organization's annual Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year awards, respectively. Crooks becomes the eleventh Springfield Cardinal to win the Player of the Year
Cooper Hjerpe details his career in new interview
St. Louis Cardinals number 8 prospect Cooper Hjerpe is an intriguing sidearm thrower who has found a ton of success with his self-proclaimed "funky" delivery. In this sit-down interview with Steve Granado, Hjerpe details out his childhood, favorite team as a kid, his key to success in the Minors and
Jimmy Crooks named MVP, Tink Hence Pitcher of the Year among many Springfield award winners
SPRINGFIELD, MO (September 24, 2024) - Minor League Baseball has announced its 2024 Post-Season awards with multiple Springfield Cardinals collecting honors in the Texas League following their historic season. C Jimmy Crooks becomes the third straight Cardinal to win the Texas League MVP, while RHP Tink Hence was named Pitcher
Springfield's season ends with 6-5 loss to Arkansas
SPRINGFIELD, MO – The Springfield Cardinals season, despite a five-run fifth-inning rally, ended at the hands of the Arkansas Travelers at Hammons Field on Friday night. The Travelers muscled out a 6-5 win, launching three home runs including two from Victor Labrada to advance to the Texas League Championship Series.
Cardinals Toppled by Eight-Run 5th to Force Game Three
SPRINGFIELD, MO – The Arkansas Travelers scored eight runs in the top of the 5th inning and held off a late Springfield charge as the Cards dropped Game 2 of the Texas League North Division Championship Series 9-6 on Thursday night at Hammons Field. A decisive Game 3 takes place
Cards Clutch Up on Mound, Take Game One
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR – Chase Davis drove in two runs to pace the Cardinal offense, and Brandon Komar and Ryan Shreve each pitched out of bases loaded situations as Springfield defeated the Arkansas Travelers in the opener of the Texas League North Division Championship Series 4-1 at Dickey-Stephens Park.
Cards Close Out Regular Season With 9-5 Loss to Missions
SAN ANTONIO, TX – The San Antonio Missions scored six runs in the 6th and 7th innings combined and the Cardinals issued 7 walks as Springfield dropped the regular season finale 9-5 on Sunday afternoon at Nelson Wolff Stadium. The Cards finish the regular season a franchise-record 20 games over
More Records Fall as Cards Top Missions 3-2
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Four Springfield pitchers combined to rack up 15 strikeouts and made a three-run 5th inning stand as the Cardinals held on to defeat the San Antonio Missions 3-2 on Saturday night at Nelson Wolff Stadium. The Cardinals go into the season finale seeking a series win
Late Rally Sends Cards to Send Straight Loss
SAN ANTONIO, TX – The San Antonio Missions scored three times in the bottom of the 7th inning and the Cardinals went just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position as Springfield dropped its 2nd straight with a 5-2 loss on Friday night at Nelson Wolff Stadium. Heading into Saturday the
Bernal Homers in Cardinals 4-1 Loss in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, TX – The San Antonio Missions scored all four or their runs and tallied four of their five hits in the 4th inning and the Cardinals went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position as Springfield dropped a 4-1 decision at Nelson Wolff Stadium on Thursday night. The loss
Cards Make Springfield History With 2-1 Win Over Missions
SPRINGFIELD, MO – Benito Garcia matched a career high with 8 strikeouts over 4.2 innings of relief and Nathan Church went 3-for-4 as the Cardinals defeated the San Antonio Missions 2-1 on Wednesday night at Nelson Wolff Stadium. With the win the Cardinals set a new franchise record with their
Komar Shines as Cards Match Springfield Wins Record
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Brandon Komar allowed 3 runs over 7.2 innings and Leonardo Bernal went 4-for-5 with 2 RBIs as the Cardinals defeated the San Antonio Missions 7-3 on Tuesday night at Nelson Wolff Stadium. The win was the Cardinals’ 77th in 2024, tying a franchise record for victories
6th Inning Rally Lifts Cards Over Naturals in Home Finale
SPRINGFIELD, MO – The Cardinals scored 3 times in the bottom of the 6th inning to overcome a two-run deficit as Springfield defeated the NW Arkansas Naturals 4-3 on Sunday evening at Hammons Field. The Cards with the win earned a series split in the regular season home finale. Decisions:
Chase Davis homers in Springfield Cardinals debut
SPRINGFIELD, MO – The Springfield Cardinals (75-56) dropped a 6-3 decision to Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Saturday night. Newest Springfield Cardinal Chase Davis homered on the second pitch he saw in his first game. Decisions: W: Keylan Kilgore (5-5) L: Max Rajcic (10-11) S: Beck Way (11) Notables: - Chase
Cardiac Cards erase 5-0 deficit to take down Northwest
SPRINGFIELD, MO – The Springfield Cardinals (75-55) came back to take down the Northwest Arkansas Naturals by an 11-7 final at Hammons Field Friday night. The Cardinals are now two games shy of matching a franchise record 77 wins in a single season (2012, 2017) Decisions: W: Nathanael Heredia (2-0)