The St. Louis Cardinals selected University of San Diego first baseman Jack Gurevitch with the 89th overall pick in the third round. This selection capped off an eventful first day for the Cardinals, who added four promising talents to their farm system, signaling their commitment to building a robust future under the incoming Chaim Bloom era.
Jack Gurevitch, a 6-foot, 215-pound left-handed hitting infielder from Pacific Palisades, California, emerged as a standout prospect during his junior season with the San Diego Toreros. Gurevitch posted an impressive .371/.477/.681 slash line, belting 17 home runs and driving in 56 RBIs across 56 games in 2025. His performance earned him All-West Coast Conference (WCC) First Team honors, following an All-WCC Second Team nod in 2024 and an All-WCC Freshman Team selection in 2023. Additionally, he was recognized as a Cape Cod League All-Star in 2024, showcasing his ability to compete against top-tier competition.
Gurevitch’s scouting profile highlights his exceptional hitting ability, with MLB Pipeline assigning him a 55-grade hit tool and noting his knack for punishing fastballs. His disciplined approach at the plate, evidenced by a 15.5% walk rate and a low 15.5% strikeout rate, allows him to spray line drives across all fields. While his power is graded at 45, his 17 home runs in 2025 suggest untapped potential, particularly to his pull side. However, scouts have noted that Gurevitch may need to refine his approach against breaking pitches and high-velocity fastballs (93+ mph), which he faced less frequently in the WCC compared to power conference hitters.
The Cardinals’ decision to select Gurevitch 55 picks earlier than his projected 144th ranking on MLB.com’s Top 250 Draft Prospects list underscores their confidence in his bat and character. The slot value for the 89th pick is $879,000, a significant investment compared to the $499,000 slot value for the 144th pick, reflecting the Cardinals’ belief in Gurevitch’s potential to develop into a cornerstone player.
Assistant General Manager and scouting director Randy Flores praised Gurevitch’s “standout exit velocity” and improved contact within the strike zone, describing his ability to hit the ball “insanely hard.” USD head coach Brock Ungricht went further, calling Gurevitch “probably the best pure contact hitter I’ve coached in my career.” His toughness, leadership, and high makeup have also been highlighted as attributes that align with the Cardinals’ focus on drafting players with strong character under their new regime.
While Gurevitch primarily plays first base, he has experience at third base and could potentially see time in left field, though first base is likely his long-term defensive home. His scouting grades include a 50-grade arm, 45-grade fielding, and 40-grade speed, indicating he is a solid but not elite defender with limited speed.
As Gurevitch embarks on his professional career, he will likely begin in the Cardinals’ minor league system, potentially at Low-A or High-A, depending on his development timeline. His ability to make consistent contact and drive the ball to all fields gives him a strong foundation, but refining his pitch recognition against advanced pitching will be critical to his success.
