Back in May, I ranked the St. Louis Cardinals' 10 most valuable young position players, seeking to give a "state of the young core" for people to chat about.
But now, as we wrap up the 2025 season, that list has changed quite a bit. Some young players have risen in their performance, some have stumbled in major ways, and there are even a few new names that have been added to the mix.
Here is how I approached making this new ranking - if I were asked to put in order the players and prospects they value the highest right now, not who has proven the most, but who I am most inclined to hold onto and have the most belief in, this is the order I would put them in.