Ticker Tape; Franklin, Maultz, Jordan ...

The Cardinal Chronicle
Prospect Stock Market Report
April 2026 — Minor League Market Watch
St. Louis, MO — By Ray Mileur

As the early season unfolds across the Cardinals’ system, movement in the prospect market is already taking shape. Some players are forcing the conversation, others are holding steady as circumstances play out, and a few are seeing their stock dip due to injury or performance.

Here’s where the market stands this week.

 
📈 Stock Rising
#11 – Tanner Franklin (RHP, High-A, 21)
The Movement
Franklin has been flat-out dominant to open the season at High-A Peoria. In his latest outing, he fired three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits, walking one, and striking out seven.

That performance pushed him to 16 strikeouts against 28 batters faced in just 6 2/3 innings to begin the year. Those are eye-popping numbers no matter how you slice them.

Early? Sure. But when a pitcher is missing bats at that kind of rate, you don’t overthink it — you tip your cap and mark the arrow up.

Old School Take
Velocity gets attention. Strikeouts get results. Franklin is doing both. Keep stacking outings like this, and he won’t be in High-A much longer.

 
#21 – Brycen Mautz (LHP, Triple-A, 24)
The Movement
The Cardinals’ No. 21 prospect turned in his most complete start of the young season for Memphis, working six innings and allowing just one run — none of it earned — on three hits. He struck out five, walked two, and controlled the game from start to finish.

That matters at this level.

Mautz didn’t overpower hitters with velocity. Instead, he leaned on his slider as a true put-away pitch, consistently keeping hitters off balance while working efficiently through six innings.

For a pitcher adjusting to Triple-A, the ability to limit damage, manage innings, and maintain composure often tells you more than raw stuff.

Mautz checked every box.

There may have been louder performances this week, but when it came to a complete outing at the highest level of the minors, Brycen Mautz stood alone.

Old School Take
This is how you move up. Pitch deep, stay out of trouble, and give your club a chance to win. Do that consistently, and you stop being a prospect — you become an option.

 
#26 – Blaze Jordan (1B/3B, Triple-A, 23)
The Movement
Jordan is off to a loud start at Memphis, and the bat is doing the talking. Through his first 51 plate appearances, he’s slashing .354/.408/.667 with three doubles, four home runs, and nine RBIs. His 1.059 OPS leads the Redbirds.

According to reports, the underlying numbers support the surge. His average exit velocity has jumped significantly, and he’s doing a better job attacking pitches in the zone while making consistent contact.

Just as important, he’s holding his own defensively at both corner infield spots, strengthening his case as a legitimate big-league option.

Old School Take
Power plays anywhere. If the approach holds, this isn’t a fluke — it’s a step forward.

 
➖ Stock Holding
#2 – Liam Doyle (LHP, Double-A, 21)
The Movement
The Cardinals’ 2025 first-round pick (5th overall) entered the season as one of the organization’s top prospects, armed with one of the best fastballs in the system.

His Double-A debut, however, was a reminder of the adjustment ahead: 3.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 3 K.

The stuff is still there. The command is still coming.

Old School Take
Young arms don’t develop in straight lines. The fastball will carry him — but only if he learns to command it.

 
#8 – Jimmy Crooks (C, Triple-A, 24)
The Movement
Crooks has been one of the hottest hitters in Memphis to start the season, slashing .286/.400/.595 with four home runs and 10 RBIs through his first 11 games.

Long viewed as a glove-first catcher, his early offensive production is beginning to shift that narrative.

Meanwhile, fans in St. Louis are already calling for his promotion.

Old School Take
Catchers earn their way with defense first. If the bat comes along too, you’ve got something real. Crooks is making people take notice — but patience still matters here.

 
#10 – Tekoah Roby (RHP, Triple-A, 24)
The Movement
Roby remains on the 60-day injured list as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

The talent is still there, but availability remains the question.

Old School Take
You don’t sell on upside — not this kind. But until he’s back on the mound, the stock stays right where it is.

 
📉 Stock Falling
#9 – Brandon Clarke (LHP, High-A, 22)
The Movement
Clarke will miss the first half of the 2026 season after undergoing surgery to correct an aneurysm in his throwing arm.

Prior to the injury, he was expected to begin his Cardinals tenure at High-A Peoria.

He remains one of the more intriguing arms in the system, but the timeline has shifted.

Old School Take
Injuries change everything. This isn’t about talent — it’s about time and recovery. You don’t quit on arms like this, but you do reset expectations.

 
#17 – Cooper Hjerpe (LHP, Double-A, 25)
The Movement
Hjerpe continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery after missing the entire 2025 season.

He’s progressed to bullpen sessions and is targeting a midseason return.

His unique delivery and deception still give him intriguing upside, but durability remains the key question.

Old School Take
He’s still the same pitcher — now it’s about whether the arm lets him be a top prospect.

 
#20 – Jesús Báez (INF, High-A, 21)
The Movement
Báez is off to a slow start, hitting .235 with one home run and three RBIs through early April.

With Rule 5 eligibility approaching, the pressure to produce is beginning to mount.

The tools remain — plus bat speed, strong arm — but consistency hasn’t followed yet.

Old School Take
Tools will get you noticed. Production keeps you around. The clock doesn’t stop for anybody.

Final note, prospect development rarely moves in straight lines. A strong week doesn’t make a player — and a slow start doesn’t break one.

But direction matters.

And right now, across the Cardinals’ system, that direction is beginning to take shape.

 
For the Record - The Prospect Stock Market Report is for evaluation and discussion purposes only. Player value does not truly fluctuate week to week — but performance can reveal direction, and direction is worth tracking.

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports