:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57925553/809892472.jpg.0.jpg)
Today, we’ll continue the draft series as we ‘scout the standouts’ from the 2013 MLB Draft, from the Cardinals’ perspective.
If you wish to catch up on previous years, follow the links below:
~
Left-hander Marco Gonzales out of Washington’s Gonzaga University was St. Louis’s first selection in 2013, drafted 19th overall. Gonzales made it to the Majors by 2014 and played a key role in the Cardinals’ bullpen that postseason. He went 2-1, logging six frames over as many games.
Gonzales made a spot-start at the big-league level in 2015, spending the majority of his time at Triple-A Memphis. A pectoral injury hindered Gonzales in the ‘15 season, and he missed the entire 2016 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The lefty Gonzales started the night-cap of a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers in June of 2017 for the Cardinals, marking his final appearance in the Gateway City. The 25-year-old Gonzales was traded to the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Tyler O’Neill in late July.
Drafted in the second round by the Cardinals was speedy infielder Oscar Mercado. Mercado was one of four position players from the organization to participate in the Arizona Fall League.
A wrap-up on the Arizona Fall League
Mercado has steadily climbed through the farm system, progressing to Double-A level for the 2017 season. In his age 22 season, Mercado bested himself in virtually every offensive category. Mercado slashed .287/.341/.428 in 120 games for Springfield with 13 home runs, 76 runs scored, and 46 runs driven in. His 38 stolen bases and 114 wRC+ are new career bests, as well.
Ian McKinney, a left-hander out of Orlando, Florida’s Boone High School, was drafted in the fifth round by St. Louis. Recently turned 23 year old, McKinney converted to primarily a relief pitcher’s role in 2017, when he split time between High-A Palm Beach and Double-A Springfield.
In 26 games (one start) at Palm Beach in 2017, McKinney had a 2.02 ERA and 0.18 HR/9 rate in 49 innings of work. Having earned a promotion to Double-A, McKinney pitched 22 2⁄3 frames (14 games, two starts) for Springfield with a 5.61 FIP.
The final player to be scouted as part of the 2013 edition is Luke Voit, a St. Louis-area native. Drafted in the 22nd round as a catcher, Voit converted to first base and made it to the Majors in 2017.
Voit played in 62 games for the Cardinals, garnering 124 plate appearances. The 26-year-old out of Missouri State batted .265 with four long balls in his season of big-league play.
When not in St. Louis, Voit played at Triple-A in 2017. Voit slugged 13 homers in 74 games, during which he enjoyed a 152 wRC+.