St. Louis Cardinals - The Model Organization?

[NYCBrave]

I can't understand how they keep doing it. Obviously they have a ton of payroll, but they haven't missed a beat since Pujols left. My admiration comes from the fact that they seemingly continue to develop high level talents out of nowhere. I follow prospects, and most of the Cardinals prospects were not even highly rated. I'm talking guys like Allen Craig, Matt Carpenter, Jon Jay, Yadier Molina (since when was he a .330 hitter??), Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn, Matt Adams. Plus, they do it in a professional manner.

Now I'm not saying I don't admire what we've been able to do, we've done an amazing job of developing players like Heyward, Freeman, Simmons, Kimbrel, etc, but these guys were all highly rated. It's like the Cardinals just continue pulling guys out of their a**. Anyone else notice this?

[Heyward]

Yup, will be interesting to see what they do with Adams.

Legit 30 HR power but Craig plays first base for them and is under control for awhile.

It is crazy whoever they bring up does well.

[NYCBrave]

And now they're discussing it on Sunday Night Baseball.

[Bye Week]

Screw 'em

[CyYoung31]

The Braves have been just as good if not better over the last 20+ years.

[zitothebrave]

The Braves have been just as good if not better over the last 20+ years.

Cards have more rings so they have us there. But yeah, the Braves were pretty damned spectacular when they had the money the Cards have.

[drewdat]

Roids.

[NYCBrave]

Cards have more rings so they have us there. But yeah, the Braves were pretty damned spectacular when they had the money the Cards have.

Both of you guys are missing the point I was making, not sure if you even read my original post....

[nsacpi]

It is easy to build up a big stockpile of talent by losing year after year. Teams like the Rays and Gnats have done this. But the real test of a franchise imo is to keep reloading without the benefit of high draft picks over a multi-year period. The Braves and Cards are really the best at this. You can argue for one or the other but we're the two most intelligently run franchises imo. The A's and Rangers probably belong in the conversation, but I would rate them third and fourth.

In terms of talent graduated to the majors in recent years, I agree with this BA article, which rates us first:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minor...-recent-years/

If you control for draft position, our lead would be even more impressive.

[NYCBrave]

It is easy to build up a big stockpile of talent by losing year after year. Teams like the Rays and Gnats have done this. But the real test of a franchise imo is to keep reloading without the benefit of high draft picks over a multi-year period. The Braves and Cards are really the best at this. You can argue for one or the other but we're the two most intelligently run franchises imo. The A's and Rangers probably belong in the conversation, but I would rate them third and fourth.

In terms of talent graduated to the majors in recent years, I agree with this BA article, which rates us first:

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minor...-recent-years/

If you control for draft position, our lead would be even more impressive.

I'd put the Rays in there with best run organizations. What they've been able to accomplish despite payroll restrictions and lackluster fan base is very admirable. Sure, they've had some high draft slots, but they seem to develop all of their talent extremely well. The way they develop their starting pitching is amazing.