Cardinals Sign Eight More Picks as 2026 Draft Class Takes Shape

The Cardinal Chronicle
Cardinals Sign Eight More Picks as 2026 Draft Class Takes Shape
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

The St. Louis Cardinals continued locking down their highly regarded 2026 draft class, reaching agreements with eight additional selections.

In addition to the previously reported signings of first-round outfielder Trevor Condon and third-round outfielder/first baseman Caden Ferraro, the Cardinals signed right-handed pitchers Tegan Kuhns, Dawson Montesa, Derek Schaefer and Nick Bonn; left-handed pitcher Luke Harrison; outfield prospect Andrew Williamson; shortstop Owen Henne; and catcher Jayden Lobliner.

Five of the eight newly signed players are pitchers, continuing the organization’s effort to add more velocity, strikeout potential and pitching depth throughout the minor league system.

Right-Handed Pitcher Tegan Kuhns

Kuhns was selected with the 32nd overall pick in the Competitive Balance Round A after pitching at Tennessee.

The 6-foot-3 right-hander was rated as one of the better college pitching prospects in the draft. His fastball can reach 98 mph and is complemented by a breaking ball that gives him the foundation of a potential starting pitcher.

Kuhns finished his 2026 season with 106 strikeouts over 81 innings. While his results were inconsistent at times, his combination of velocity, spin and improved control gave the Cardinals reason to believe there is more development ahead.

The selection also continued the organization’s recent connection to Tennessee’s pitching program. The Cardinals drafted Volunteers left-handers Liam Doyle and Tanner Franklin with their first two selections in 2025.

Outfielder Andrew Williamson

Williamson was selected with the 68th overall pick in the Competitive Balance Round B out of Central Florida.

The left-handed hitter brings an intriguing combination of power, contact ability and athleticism. He has enough arm strength to profile in right field, but his running ability could allow the Cardinals to give him opportunities at multiple outfield positions.

Williamson’s ability to produce strong exit velocities without selling out for power was an important part of his appeal. The Cardinals have increasingly targeted hitters who can drive the baseball while maintaining reasonable contact rates and control of the strike zone.

Right-Handed Pitcher Dawson Montesa

Montesa was taken four selections later with the 72nd overall pick, also in the Competitive Balance Round B.

The 20-year-old right-hander pitched at West Virginia after transferring from Division II Adelphi. He features a four-pitch arsenal and a fastball that can reach the upper 90s.

Montesa is still developing his command, but his age, athleticism and raw pitching ability give the Cardinals plenty to work with. He represents the type of arm the organization has increasingly pursued—young, projectable and capable of missing bats.

Whether he ultimately develops as a starter or moves into a relief role will depend largely on his ability to repeat his delivery and throw consistent strikes.

Shortstop Owen Henne

The Cardinals selected Henne with the 175th overall pick in the sixth round.

Henne played at Division II Seton Hill before improving his draft stock in the MLB Draft League. He showed an advanced contact approach, batting .399 with a .488 on-base percentage and a .572 slugging percentage during his 2026 college season.

At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Henne still has room to add strength. His present game is built more around bat-to-ball ability than home-run power, but additional offensive impact could come as he physically matures.

The Cardinals will give him an opportunity to remain at shortstop, although his size and growing frame could eventually lead to a move elsewhere in the infield.

Right-Handed Pitcher Derek Schaefer

Schaefer was selected with the 204th overall pick in the seventh round after pitching at Arizona State.

His fastball generally sits between 94 and 95 mph and has reached 99. He pairs it with a hard, sweeping breaking ball that gives him a second legitimate weapon.

Schaefer worked as Arizona State’s closer in 2026, recording nine saves and striking out 42 batters. He also has experience as a starter, giving the Cardinals several possible development paths.

His immediate future could depend on the development of his changeup and his ability to command his secondary pitches. At a minimum, his fastball and sweeper provide the foundation of a potential power reliever.

Left-Handed Pitcher Luke Harrison

Harrison was selected with the 234th overall pick in the eighth round out of Texas.

The graduate student was the only left-handed pitcher selected by the Cardinals in the 2026 draft. He went 6-4 with 100 strikeouts over 83⅓ innings during his final college season.

Harrison does not rely solely on overwhelming velocity. His fastball generally operates in the low 90s, but he mixes several pitches and has shown the ability to locate them throughout the strike zone.

His cutter and sweeping breaking ball give hitters different movement patterns to cover. That repertoire could allow him to remain a starter, work as a multi-inning reliever or eventually fill a more specialized bullpen role.

Catcher Jayden Lobliner

The Cardinals selected Lobliner with the 264th overall pick in the ninth round.

Lobliner brings a defense-first profile to an organization that has placed considerable value on catching depth. His receiving, framing and ability to handle a pitching staff should give him an opportunity to advance through the lower levels.

The Cardinals already have several highly regarded catching prospects, including Rainiel Rodriguez, Leo Bernal and Ryan Campos, but quality depth behind the plate remains valuable throughout a minor league system.

Lobliner will need to continue developing offensively, particularly with his swing decisions, but his defensive foundation gives him a legitimate chance to remain behind the plate.

Right-Handed Pitcher Nick Bonn

Bonn was selected with the 294th overall pick in the 10th round out of Cal Poly.

The right-hander brings another power arm into the system. His fastball has reached 100 mph and is paired with a sweeping breaking ball and developing changeup.

Bonn led NCAA Division I pitchers with 17 saves during his senior season. He made 28 relief appearances for Cal Poly, posting a 3.44 ERA over 49⅔ innings.

His experience in the back end of the bullpen and premium fastball velocity could allow him to move more quickly than some of the younger pitchers in the class. Improving the consistency of his secondary pitches will be important, but the late-inning potential is evident.

A Draft Class Moving Toward the Field

The Cardinals have now signed several of the most important members of their 2026 class, including Condon, Kuhns, Williamson, Montesa and Ferraro.

Condon, the 13th overall pick, signed for $5.16 million—$440,000 below his assigned slot value. Ferraro, selected 86th overall, signed for $800,000—$143,600 under slot.

Those two agreements created a combined $583,600 in bonus-pool savings, giving the Cardinals additional flexibility as they negotiate with the remaining unsigned selections.

Signing draft picks is only the first step. The real work begins once the players report, enter the organization’s development program and begin adjusting to professional baseball.

Still, the early returns are encouraging. The Cardinals drafted athletic position players, hitters with demonstrated contact ability and a deep collection of pitchers with velocity and strikeout potential.

Now, more of that draft class is officially ready to get to work.

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports & MiLB Today
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Photo Credit: Tegan Kuhns, St. Louis Cardinals | MLB