Checking in on the 2017 Draft Class: Picks 4-8

Earlier in the week, we took a quick look at how the Cardinals’ first three picks of this season’s draft performed in their opening stints in professional ball. Today, we’ll do the same with picks 4-8.

Checking in on the 2017 Draft Class: Picks 1-3

Catcher Zach Jackson was the club’s fourth overall pick in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Jackson was selected out of Winter Haven High School in Florida and appeared in 14 games with the GCL Cardinals this summer. Jackson drew 10 walks at the plate and maintained a .32 percent caught-stealing rate.

Chase Pinder was selected in the seventh round of the draft, the Cardinals’ fifth pick. Pinder, the brother of current Oakland Athletics utility player Chad Pinder, was drafted out of Clemson before appearing in 50 games with the Johnson City Cardinals. Pinder performed to a 146 wRC+ in 209 plate appearances with 35 runs scored and 21 runs batted in.

St. Louis Cardinals 2017 Draft results

Eighth-round pick Wilberto Rivera was a participant in the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy. The 18-year-old, right-handed pitcher appeared in nine games with the GCL Cardinals this summer. Rivera punched out nine and walked six in his limited work.

Left-hander Evan Kruczynski was St. Louis’ seventh selection. Kruczynski was a starter for the Chiefs, appearing in 14 games - 13 as a starter - in 2017. Kruczynski, an East Carolina alumni, pitched to a 3.41 ERA in 68 ²⁄₃ frames, during which he allowed only seven home runs.

The final player we’ll look at today is left-handed pitcher Brett Seeburger. Seeburger was taken in the 10th round, the Cardinals’ eighth pick. Seeburger, a 22-year-old out of San Diego State, was excellent in 12 games for Johnson City this summer. Seeburger had a 2.38 FIP with 28 strikeouts and just three walks in 27 innings pitched.