St. Louis Cardinals Select Trevor Condon and Tegan Kuhns in 2026 MLB Draft

St. Louis entered the 2026 draft with more Day 1 selections than any other major league club, utilizing that depth to balance high-upside youth with collegiate experience.

Trevor Condon: Adding Speed and Authenticity

Condon, who played at Etowah High School in Georgia, earned recognition as the state’s Player of the Year after leading his team to two Class 6A state championships. The 18-year-old outfielder hit .504 as a senior, recording nine home runs and 15 stolen bases in 36 games. Cardinals assistant general manager Randy Flores noted that the organization was drawn to more than just the player’s statistics.

“I think that exuberance is authentic. I think he really just loves the game. He’s the type who wakes up every day to try to get the most out of himself, a single-minded focus and purpose.”

Randy Flores, Cardinals assistant general manager, via stlsportspage.com

Cardinals area scout Brian Moehler, who had the opportunity to observe Condon while scouting his own son in the same region, emphasized the player’s consistent development. Despite being a Tennessee commit, Condon told reporters he intends to sign with the Cardinals, stating his ambition to leave a legacy and eventually reach the Hall of Fame.

Tegan Kuhns and the Tennessee Pipeline

With the 32nd overall pick, St. Louis selected right-handed pitcher Tegan Kuhns, marking the second consecutive year the team has used a high selection on a Tennessee Volunteers pitcher. The club previously drafted Liam Doyle and Tanner Franklin from the same program in 2025.

Kuhns, a 6-foot-3 hurler, is viewed as a prospect with the potential to anchor a major league rotation. His repertoire includes a fastball that touches 98 mph and a high-spin curveball in the upper 70s. While he experienced an inconsistent tenure at the collegiate level—including a mid-spring demotion to the bullpen—he finished the season with 106 strikeouts across 81 innings.

Draft Day Strategy and Future Outlook

The Cardinals’ aggressive approach to the 2026 draft included seven total selections on the first day, the highest count in the league. Beyond Condon and Kuhns, the team selected high school shortstop Rocco Maniscalco with the 50th overall pick. Maniscalco, who does not turn 18 until next May, remains one of the youngest prospects in this year’s class.

This year’s draft marks a shift in the team’s high school acquisition strategy. In the previous four drafts, St. Louis had signed only one high school player, but the 2026 haul included two on the first day alone. For Condon, the realization that he was drafted by the organization he had developed a rapport with provided a moment of relief after a high-pressure lead-up.

“I probably haven’t slept as good as I did last night in a long time. I don’t sleep much already but for some reason the stressful situations calm me down like a baby. It gives me something to dream about.”

Trevor Condon, via stlsportspage.com

The organization will now focus on the signing process for its top picks as the draft continues into its second day.

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