Cody Haerther

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #16 prospect in 2007
  Haerther started his career with three consecutive .300-plus seasons, but fell short last year after slumping to a .222 clip in the first half. He reclaimed his reputation as one of the best hitting prospects in the organization by hitting .322 after the all-star break His younger brother Casey was drafted by the Padres in 2006, but didn't sign and is likely to start as a freshman at UCLA. Until the last two drafts infused the system with outfield talent, Haerther was the top prospect at the position, and by far the best hitter. He has sharp strength to his swing, with an ear-catching pop when he connects (41 extra-base hits last year) and a fluid stroke to go with his keen approach. He has yet to strike out 60 times in a season, and in 2006 he drew a career-high 37 walks. A former third baseman, he has adapted well to the outfield and plays a capable left field. He will be rewarded with an invitation to big league camp this spring, and a strong spring training performance will put him in Triple-A and on the verge of the big leagues, though he's unlikely to be considered for a major league role until 2008.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #8 prospect in 2006
  Haerther was in the midst of a breakout season in 2004 before getting derailed by a stress fracture in his left leg. He got back on track in 2005, jumping to Double-A and playing in the Arizona Fall League. His brother Casey is a top Southern California high school prospect for the 2006 draft. In a system thin on impact bats, Haerther is a lefthanded hitter with power potential, and he showed a lot more of that potential in 2005. The ball jumps off his bat, and he has a smooth stroke, a good approach and the ability to control the strike zone. He has average speed and savvy on the basepaths. Haerther's defense is a work in progress and he went to instructional league in an effort to improve it. He has the ability to play a passable left field if he continues to improve, though he split time between left and DH in 2005. Haerther has few roadblocks ahead of him in the farm system, and even in the big leagues the Cardinals have relied on aging veterans and marginal players. He'll return to Double-A to begin 2006.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #9 prospect in 2005
  The Cardinals gave Haerther $250,000, the largest bonus in the sixth round in 2002, to sway him from a commitment to UC Irvine. He followed up a strong debut in 2003 with a good performance in low Class A, but his season ended early because of a hairline fracture of the tibia in his left leg. Haerther is one of the best young hitters in the organization. He has a smooth, short stroke and makes good contact. He has an advanced approach at the plate, showing good patience for a young hitter and not swinging at many bad pitches. He doesn't have a lot of raw power but gets the most out of what he does have. He's an average runner. St. Louis drafted Haerther as a third baseman but has played him in left field because he's more comfortable there and has a better chance of helping the big league club there down the road. His arm is playable but he needs to work on his left-field defense. Despite his injury, Haerther showed St. Louis he's ready to move up to high Class A. He could progress quickly if he continues hitting because there are few legitimate prospects in his way.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #16 prospect in 2004
  Haerther was a star at Chaminade Prep in Chatsworth, Calif., where his brother Casey was named the state's freshman baseball player of the year by one organization in 2003. Cody fell in the 2002 draft because of a perceived strong commitment to UC Irvine. The Cardinals signed him for $250,000, the largest bonus in the sixth round, and he didn't make his pro debut until last year. He topped the Rookie-level Appalachian League in hits and was among the leaders in several offensive categories, and he followed up with a strong instructional league performance. Haerther's bat is his calling card. He has bat speed, a sound approach and a good eye at the plate. He shows the ability to drive the ball and should hit for power down the road. He has decent speed. The Cardinals are trying to find a defensive home for Haerther. He has some arm strength and played third base in high school, but St. Louis moved him to left field last year. Though he has work to do in the outfield, he was more comfortable there and the Cards don't want his defense to get in the way of his bat. They'll move him to low Class A in 2004.