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4 Draft Picks Cardinals Never Could've Made in 2020 Draft Format

By Max Smith

Albert Pujols may be the greatest draft pick in MLB history.
Albert Pujols may be the greatest draft pick in MLB history. / Donald Miralle/Getty Images

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 MLB Draft will only consist of five rounds. Over the years, the Cardinals have had some great luck picking in later rounds, including possibly the greatest draft pick of all time.

These are the four best draft picks the Cardinals wouldn't have been able to make in the 2020 Draft format.

4. Placido Polanco

Placido Polanco had an exceptional career in the MLB.
Placido Polanco had an exceptional career in the MLB. / Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Despite only playing four full seasons in St. Louis, Placido Polanco exceeded expectations after being selected in the 19th round of the 1994 MLB Draft. Over the course of 15 seasons in the MLB, Polanco posted a career average of .297, winning three Gold Gloves as a second baseman. His best season came in 2007 with Detroit, when he hit .341.

3. Matt Carpenter

Matt Carpenter been a huge part of the Cardinals organization in the past decade.
Matt Carpenter been a huge part of the Cardinals organization in the past decade. / Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Matt Carpenter has been a staple of the Cardinals lineup for nine seasons. As a 13th-round pick in 2009, the Cardinals got an absolute steal in Carpenter. Carpenter broke out in 2013, finishing fourth in MVP voting after leading the majors in runs, hits and doubles. He also hit .318 on the path to leading the Cardinals to a World Series appearance. In recent years, Carpenter has added power to his game, hitting 36 homers in 2018.

2. Keith Hernandez

Keith Hernandez was selected by the Cards in the 42nd round of the 1971 Draft.
Keith Hernandez was selected by the Cards in the 42nd round of the 1971 Draft. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

One of the greatest players in Cardinals history, Keith Hernandez was surprisingly a 42nd round pick in 1971. It took a few years for Hernandez to explode in MLB, but that's exactly what he did in 1979, winning the NL MVP along with the batting title, posting a .344 average. He went on to help the Cardinals to the 1982 World Series title before being dealt to the Mets in a blockbuster trade in 1983.

1. Albert Pujols

Albert Pujols is one of the greatest hitters of all time.
Albert Pujols is one of the greatest hitters of all time. / Jeff Gross/Getty Images

One of the few active Hall-of-Famers in MLB today, Albert Pujols was selected in the 13th round (!!!) of the 1999 MLB Draft. Pujols immediately made an impact, winning Rookie of the Year and finishing fourth in MVP voting in his debut season. In one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time, Pujols hit 37 homers, drove in 130 runs, and batted .329. Pujols went on to win three MVPs, a batting title, and two World Series in his time with the Cards.