Major League Baseball’s official network unveiled its top 100 players list for 2026, surprisingly leaving out what many consider the St. Louis Cardinals’ most valuable player.
With MLB Spring Training 2026 approaching in just weeks, the baseball community is busy generating storylines, building anticipation, and setting expectations for the coming season. MLB Network’s annual Top 100 Players countdown has become a key part of this pre-season ritual, establishing performance standards. Throughout the year, emerging talents will climb the rankings, veterans will decline, and unexpected performances—both positive and negative—will shake things up. For fans, the excitement lies in seeing which players from their favorite teams earn recognition from baseball’s leading analysts. While the Cardinals appear on this year’s list, their representation is limited, reflecting Chaim Bloom’s ongoing rebuilding efforts.
Only one Cardinal made MLB’s top 100 rankings. Even if Bloom hadn’t dealt veteran stars Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, or Willson Contreras, the team’s representation would remain at one. Surprisingly, catcher/designated hitter Ivan Herrera earned the 98th spot. Herrera emerged in 2025 across 107 games with impressive numbers: 13 doubles, 19 home runs, 66 RBIs, and a .284/.373/.464 batting line (.837 OPS) along with a 136 OPS+. He developed into the right-handed power threat the Cardinals lacked and figures to anchor the offense following Arenado’s and Contreras’s exits. However, Herrera’s 2.2 WAR seems surprisingly modest for top 100 consideration. Additionally, 2025 marked his first season exceeding half a year’s worth of games, limiting the historical data supporting his ranking. Maintaining similar production in 2026 would validate this placement, but currently it appears somewhat speculative, particularly when comparing him to other Cardinals who might warrant inclusion.
Brendan Donovan Overlooked in MLB’s 2026 Top 100
Which other Cardinals deserved consideration? Masyn Winn broke through with a Gold Glove-winning performance at shortstop and matched Herrera’s 2.2 WAR, though his offensive output lagged across 129 games (90 OPS+). His defensive excellence merits acknowledgment. The most glaring omission, however, is the Cardinals’ premier player and potential trade target: Brendan Donovan. He surpassed both Herrera and Winn with 2.7 WAR while playing four positions throughout the season. The former All-Star also demonstrated well-rounded offensive skills (119 OPS+). These rankings incorporate players’ three-year performance history for future projections, and Donovan boasts the strongest track record among all Cardinals. As an All-Star and Gold Glove winner at multiple positions, he’s averaged 3.7 WAR and a 117 OPS+ annually. Though Donovan might depart via trade before or during the season, potentially weakening this case, he currently remains a Cardinal and merits acknowledgment.
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