Kolten Wong

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #3 prospect in 2014
  For a decade, the Cardinals had a carousel at second base, twice converting players--outfielder Skip Schumaker, third baseman Matt Carpenter--to handle the pivot. Wong was drafted to bring an end to the merry-go-round. The first second baseman taken in the first round in 25 years by the Cardinals, Wong signed for $1.3 million in 2011 and advanced rapidly, reaching the majors in 2013 but struggling in his first swing at big league pitching. He earned a spot on the World Series roster for his baserunning and improved feel at second base. Wong uncoils from a compact stance for a balanced, lefty swing that sprays line drives and hints at the high average and gap power that will be his hallmark. Wong made strides as a fielder and base thief at Triple-A Memphis in 2013, two priorities for him. He improved his footwork and instincts to become above-average at second, though his arm is fringy. He picked the brains of Willie McGee and Lou Brock for baserunning advice, and he got sharper at his jumps and reads to go 23-for-24 in steal attempts. Wong comes to spring training with a range of options, ranging from Triple-A to starter at second. His immediate role is tied to the club's decision with Carpenter, who could move to third, creating an opening for Wong at second as soon as this summer or next.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #5 prospect in 2013
  The Cardinals hadn't drafted a second baseman in the first round in 25 years (Luis Alicea) before taking Wong 22nd overall in 2011. Since singing for $1.3 million, Wong has hit .300, reached Double-A, played in the Futures Game and won two league championships. He slumped late in the season due to fatigue, but went to the Arizona Fall League and batted .324. Wong springs from a compact stance to deliver consistent sharp contact. He has surprising power for his size, mostly to the gaps but also the potential for double-digit home run totals. He's so proficient at bunting that Texas League opponents had to reposition their defenses against him. Wong doesn't walk a lot, but he has a keen sense of the strike zone and enjoys a slash-and-attack approach as a leadoff hitter. His arm is fit for second base and his instincts have improved, making him a solid fielder. He has average speed and good baserunning sense. Wong will bring some stability to the position in the near future, and he'll get a chance to audition for the starting job this spring. He figures to open the season in Triple-A and arrive in St. Louis during the summer.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #5 prospect in 2012
  Twenty-five years after they last drafted a second baseman in the first round (Luis Alicea), the Cardinals did it again because they were so smitten with Wong's bat. He had won the MVP award in the wood-bat Cape Cod League in 2010 before hitting .378 at Hawaii last spring. The 23rd overall pick last June, Wong signed quickly for $1.3 million and helped Quad Cities win the Midwest League title. Wong's small frame hides a compact swing with pop and his innate ability to hit for average. He uncoils to generate line drives from corner to corner and could grow into 15-homer power. He has the ability to bunt or hit-and-run, and the patience to draw walks. Wong is not a burner, but he's aggressive and instinctual enough to steal a few bases with slightly above-average speed. He has a plus arm for second base, along with solid range and improving footwork. St. Louis may send Wong to Double-A for his first full pro season. Wong could become the Cardinals' first all-star second baseman since Tommy Herr in 1985. He could be big league-ready by 2013.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #16 prospect in 2013
  Wong is one of those, gritty, pesky, hard-nosed players who makes a great teammate. His bat certainly helps in that regard as well. Although short in stature, Wong swings hard and aggressively when he gets a pitch he?s looking for and has power to the gaps. ?He won?t blow you away with big-time talent, but he?s a kid who plays well,? Coolbaugh said. ?He?s a real blue-collar player.? Wong has solid plate discipline, and while scouts grade him as a below-average runner, his instincts helped him steal bases proficiently and efficiently (20-for-21). His instincts also help his fringy range and arm get the job done defensively at second base. Managers project him as a classic two-hole hitter who can take a pitch and move a runner along.
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  Ranked Texas League #16 prospect in 2012
  When they took Wong in the first round of the 2011 draft, the Cardinals thought they were getting a polished hitter and solid second baseman who could move quickly through their system. In a year and a half in pro ball, he has done nothing to change that view. Solid and steady is a great way to describe him, but it undersells his overall game. Wong makes lots of hard contact, showing the ability to hit for average with some surprising power. He batted leadoff most of the season and was actually too aggressive at times. He did a better job of working counts and understanding how pitchers were attacking him at the end of the season. Wong is a reliable defender who uses his instincts to position himself well and make the most of his range. His arm is fringy but enough for second base, and he has good hands. He has average speed and runs the bases well.
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  Ranked Midwest League #12 prospect in 2011
  While most of the players drafted ahead of him waited until the Aug. 15 deadline to turn pro, Wong signed 10 days after the Cardinals selected him 23rd overall. He quickly settled into the leadoff spot for Quad Cities, showing the quick stroke, line-drive approach and strike-zone command that made him one of the best hitters in the 2011 draft class. He also has more pop than the typical middle infielder, with most of it going to the gaps. Wong's instincts stand out in all phases of the game. He has slightly above-average speed, runs the bases well and can provide a few steals. He has solid range and arm strength at second base, and managers rated him the MWL's best defender at the position.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #58 prospect in 2014
• Ranked Baseball America's #84 prospect in 2013
• Ranked Baseball America's #93 prospect in 2012

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: The Cardinals hadn't drafted a second baseman in the first round in 25 years (Luis Alicea) before taking Wong 22nd overall in 2011. Since signing for $1.3 million, Wong has hit .300, reached Double-A, played in the Futures Game and won two league championships. He slumped late in the season due to fatigue, but went to the Arizona Fall League and batted .324. Scouting Report: Wong springs from a compact stance to deliver consistent sharp contact. He has surprising power for his size, mostly to the gaps, but also has the potential to hit for double-digit home run totals. He's so proficient as a bunter that Texas League opponents had to reposition their defenses against him. Wong doesn't walk a lot, but he has a keen sense of the strike zone and enjoys a slash-and-attack approach as a leadoff hitter. His arm is fit for second base and his instincts have improved, making him a solid defender. He is an average runner and has good sense on the basepaths. The Future: The Cardinals have shuttled through several second basemen since Fernando Vina left after 2003. Wong will bring some stability to the position in the near future, and he'll get a chance to audition for the starting job this spring. He figures to open the season in Triple-A and arrive in St. Louis during the summer.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Twenty-five years after they last drafted a second baseman in the first round (Luis Alicea), the Cardinals did it again because they were so smitten with Wong's bat. He had won the MVP award in the wood-bat Cape Cod League in 2010 before hitting .378 at Hawaii last spring. The 23rd overall pick last June, Wong signed quickly for $1.3 million and helped lead Quad Cities to the Midwest League championship. Scouting Report: Wong's short, strong frame hides a compact swing with unexpected pop and his innate ability to hit for a high average. He uncoils to generate line drives from corner to corner and could grow into 15-homer power. He brings a savvy to the plate that includes the ability to bunt or hit-and-run and the patience to draw walks. Wong is not a burner, but he's aggressive and instinctual enough to steal a few bases with slightly above-average speed. He has a plus arm for second base, along with solid range and improving footwork. The Future: St. Louis may send Wong to Double-A for his first full professional season. The Cardinals haven't had an all-star second baseman since Tommy Herr drove in 110 runs in 1985, but Wong could put an to that drought in the near future. He could be big league-ready by 2013.