The club's fortunes began back on December 10th, 2024, when they were gifted the fifth-overall pick in the draft, despite finishing with an 83-79 record. This is the first time in franchise history that the Cardinals have had two picks in back-to-back years this high in the draft.
The Cardinals were also fortunate to have four picks in the first 100 in the draft. It's not often a team can pick as high as the Cardinals did while also having so many high-level selections.
The Cardinals were even luckier that one of the best pitchers in the draft fell to them at the fifth overall selection.