Cardinals’ Top Star Left Off MLB Network’s Top 100 Player Rankings
As the countdown to the start of 2026 MLB Spring Training continues, preseason storylines and expectations are beginning to take shape. One annual tradition that helps frame those discussions is MLB Network’s Top 100 Players list, which highlights the league’s elite talent heading into the new season.
This year’s rankings, however, delivered a surprising outcome for St. Louis Cardinals fans. Despite the team having several notable contributors, only one Cardinals player made the Top 100 list an outcome that reflects the organization’s current rebuilding phase under president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom.
The lone St. Louis representative was catcher/designated hitter Ivan Herrera, who came in at No. 98 overall. Herrera enjoyed a breakout 2025 season, appearing in 107 games and producing 19 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 13 doubles while posting a .284/.373/.464 slash line and a strong 136 OPS+. He emerged as a much-needed right-handed presence in the lineup and is expected to shoulder more offensive responsibility following the departures of veterans like Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras.
Still, Herrera’s inclusion raised eyebrows. Despite his offensive growth, he finished the season with just 2.2 WAR and has only one year of extended playing time at the major-league level. As a result, his placement on the list appears more projection-based than grounded in a lengthy track record.
Several other Cardinals arguably had stronger cases for inclusion. Shortstop Masyn Winn turned in a breakout year of his own, winning a Gold Glove for his elite defense while posting 2.2 WAR across 129 games. Although his offense lagged behind league average, his defensive impact alone could have warranted consideration.
The most glaring omission, however, was Brendan Donovan. Widely viewed as the Cardinals’ most complete player, Donovan posted a higher WAR than both Herrera and Winn at 2.7 while playing four different positions. Offensively, he delivered a well-rounded performance with a 119 OPS+, continuing to showcase the versatility and consistency that earned him All-Star and Gold Glove honors in the past.
MLB Network’s rankings are based on cumulative performance over the past three seasons, an area where Donovan stands out among Cardinals players. Over that span, he has averaged 3.7 WAR and a 117 OPS+, making his exclusion particularly puzzling especially since he remains on the roster despite being mentioned as a potential trade candidate.
While the Cardinals may be in transition, the omission of their most reliable and accomplished player from the Top 100 suggests that MLB Network may have overlooked one of St. Louis’ true standouts heading into 2026.
