NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. • The Cardinals took a risk by leaving a rising, enticing prospect unprotected for Thursday’s Rule 5 draft and lost, but maybe only for a few months.
With the third pick of the annual draft, the San Diego Padres poached infielder and former Gulf Coast League MVP Allen Cordoba from the Cardinals’ minor-league system. It was the second consecutive Rule 5 draft that the Padres took a high-upside prospect from the Cardinals’ low minors with the intent to stash him on the major-league roster and gain control of his rights. The approach is simple: Tank now, thank later.