The St. Louis Cardinals continued to bolster their catching depth on Day 3 of the 2026 MLB Draft, selecting University of San Diego backstop Jayden Lobliner with the 264th overall pick in the ninth round. The right-handed hitting catcher from St. Charles, Illinois, brings a reputation as one of the West Coast Conference’s premier defenders behind the plate and a solid offensive profile that should translate well in the professional ranks.
At 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, Lobliner is a compact, sturdy receiver who has consistently earned praise for his game-calling, receiving skills, and arm strength. He was named the WCC Defensive Player of the Year in both 2025 and 2026 — becoming the first player in conference history to repeat as the award’s winner — and earned All-WCC Second Team honors in each of those seasons. In 2025, he threw out 16 would-be base stealers, the second-most in the WCC.
“Jayden has been a rock behind the plate for a very good San Diego program,” one Cardinals scout noted in the team’s pre-draft evaluations. “His ability to control the running game and handle a pitching staff stands out. He’s got the intangibles you look for in a catcher who can help a staff develop.”
Offensively, Lobliner enjoyed his best season as a senior in 2026. He led the Toreros with 10 home runs, 111 total bases, and 51 games played while batting .296 (61-for-206) with 16 doubles (tied for the team lead), two triples, 38 runs scored, and 39 RBIs. He posted a .365 on-base percentage and a .539 slugging percentage, showing improved power and the ability to drive the ball to all fields. Over two seasons at USD, he hit .291 (116-for-398) with 28 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, and 69 RBIs while throwing out 28 base stealers.
Prior to his time in San Diego, Lobliner spent two seasons at Kansas State (2023-24), where he appeared in 50 games and slashed .252/.350/.361. He also gained valuable summer experience in the Appalachian League with Bristol (2023) and Elizabethton (2024-25), along with a brief stint in the Northwoods League. Notably, he was a teammate of Cardinals 2025 third-round pick Jack Gurevitch on the 2025 Toreros squad, providing some organizational familiarity.
A 2022 graduate of St. Charles North High School, Lobliner was a standout prep player who hit .411 with a .516 on-base percentage as a senior and was rated among the top catchers in Illinois. Born on April 3, 2004, in Royal Oak, Michigan, he is the son of Aaron and Ginger Lobliner and has one younger sister, Ciara. Beyond the field, Lobliner is known for his dedication to sports performance. He is passionate about diet and nutrition, and he actively incorporates tools like breathwork and neurological training to optimize his abilities — traits that should serve him well as he embarks on his professional journey.
The Cardinals have emphasized building a strong catching pipeline in recent drafts, and Lobliner fits neatly into that blueprint. While he’ll likely begin his pro career in the lower levels of the minors, his polished defensive game gives him a chance to move quickly if his bat continues to develop. For a club that values pitch-framing, leadership behind the plate, and players who buy into the process, the ninth-round selection out of San Diego looks like a smart, high-floor addition.
Welcome to the Cardinals, Jayden. The road from St. Charles to Busch Stadium just got a little shorter.
