Brendan Ryan

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #12 prospect in 2007
  Ryan missed more than four months of the season because of ligament injuries to his ring finger and wrist on his left hand, after missing time with hamstring injuries in 2005. He had a barnstorm rehab through four levels of the organization that also gave him his first look at Triple-A. Just two years removed from being considered the club's top position prospect, he saved what was almost a lost season by leading the Arizona Fall League in hits. An athletic player with solid tools, Ryan was smoothing out his rough edges as a fielder and a hitter before his injury, showing a better approach at the plate. He has good speed but his quickness plays better in the field than on the bases, where his steals have dwindled from 30 in 2004. He has an average arm. Ryan can be unsettled at the plate, and his unbridled play in the field leads to unnecessary errors. He led AFL shortstops with eight. He has matured on and off the field but needs to remain focused to continue his improvement. Injuries have cost him significant time in consecutive seasons. The Cardinals have a need for an infielder to emerge from the minors ready to play in the middle of the diamond. Ryan is headed back to Triple-A and hopes to emerge in that role by September, but if he doesn't hit better he could end up as a utility player.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #13 prospect in 2006
  Rated as the top position prospect in the organization going into last season, Ryan has been passed by 2005 draft picks with more upside and some holdovers who had better seasons. Ryan still has plenty of potential, however, and held his own after a midseason promotion to Double-A. He put together a positive season despite the death of his father just before spring training. He said he knew his father would want him on the field, so he reported to camp on time. Ryan remains one of the best athletes in the organization, and he's still trying to harness his tools to make himself a consistently productive player. He has a nice swing and is willing to take a walk. He's also a plus runner, though he didn't run much in 2005 because of a sore hamstring. He hustles all the time and plays with energy and enthusiasm that's contagious. Ryan also has the tools to remain at shortstop, though he committed 29 errors last season because of ill-advised throws and bad footwork. He still has to show more than just flashes of brilliance, but the Cardinals were encouraged by his progress in 2005. He'll go back to Double-A to open 2006.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #7 prospect in 2005
  Ryan won a national championship with NAIA power Lewis-Clark State and the National Baseball Congress World Series with the Alaska Goldpanners in 2002, but he was dismissed from the Warriors program before they repeated in 2003. His first full season started late after he sprained his wrist in spring training, but he came back to lead the low Class A Midwest League in batting. None of Ryan's tools is overwhelming, but he's the best all-around athlete in the system, swings the bat well and plays a premium position. He plays with energy and a good understanding of the game. He should be an above-average hitter who uses the whole park, and also a plus runner. The Cardinals say Ryan should have enough arm and quickness to stay at shortstop, but he committed 31 errors in 2004. He should get stronger as he matures, but he'll never be a power hitter. Ryan will be the starting shortstop in high Class A this year, and he's athletic enough to play other positions. His bat will determine if he's an everyday player or a utilityman.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #18 prospect in 2004
  Ryan played for NAIA power Lewis-Clark State, winning a NAIA World Series championship in 2002 but getting dismissed from the program before the Warriors repeated in 2003. He also won a National Baseball Congress World Series title with the Alaska Goldpanners in 2002. Ryan had a promising pro debut, putting together 16 multihit games, including a five-hit contest. Ryan is a good athlete who brings a high-energy approach to the field and is always in motion. He has some strength and bat speed, uses his hands well and already has a decent idea of the strike zone. He also has some power potential and was occasionally impressive in the way he drove the ball, though he needs to fill out. Ryan also has promising defensive tools, including quickness, soft hands and arm strength, though he committed 14 errors in just 32 games in the field. Ryan's biggest need at this point is experience. The Cardinals were impressed with the way he adjusted to pro ball and will send him to low Class A to open 2004.