Wrapping up a productive two-day 2026 MLB Draft, the St. Louis Cardinals selected right-handed hitting third baseman Jacob Johnson from Saint Mary’s College of California with the 504th overall pick in the 17th round.
Johnson, a 6-1, 183-pound redshirt sophomore from Danville, Calif., put together a standout season in the West Coast Conference. He batted .338/.428/.633 with a 1.061 OPS in 58 games (57 starts), delivering 71 hits, 15 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, 54 RBI, and 43 runs scored while playing primarily third base and designated hitter.
The Cardinals used the later rounds to target college bats with proven production and upside. Johnson fits that profile as a polished hitter who raked against quality competition and showed the ability to impact games in big moments.
Johnson’s road to the draft highlights perseverance. After redshirting at Colorado School of Mines in 2024, he excelled at Cuesta College in 2025 as a redshirt freshman, hitting .346/.437/.585 with five homers, 14 doubles, 30 RBI, and 26 runs in 35 games to earn All-Western State Conference First Team honors.
At Saint Mary’s in 2026, he broke out in a big way. Johnson earned ABCA All-America Second Team honors — the third in program history — plus ABCA All-West Region First Team, All-WCC Honorable Mention, and NCAA Los Angeles Regional All-Tournament Team recognition.
He delivered clutch performances throughout the year, including a four-hit, three-run, four-RBI effort with a homer against San Diego State and a six-RBI game versus San Jose State. In the NCAA Regional, he launched three home runs, including two in a win over No. 1 UCLA (one a go-ahead ninth-inning shot).
Johnson possesses legitimate right-handed power that translates to extra-base hits and over-the-fence pop. His swing produces hard contact, and he showed solid plate discipline with a strong on-base percentage. Refining his pitch recognition and reducing strikeouts (52 in 251 plate appearances) will be priorities as he faces pro arms.
Defensively, he has the arm and instincts for third base, with potential to handle the position or shift to a corner outfield/DH role as needed. Born June 17, 2005, he brings a mature frame and baseball instincts honed through his high school days at Monte Vista HS (All-EBAL Second Team as a senior with a .309 average and four homers).
In a draft focused on balance and depth over two days, the Cardinals added a bat with immediate organizational value. Johnson’s college production and All-America pedigree suggest he could handle a jump to pro ball and contribute depth across the system. Like many late-round college selections, his trajectory will depend on how quickly he adapts to wooden bats and professional development.
The Cardinals’ scouting staff has once again found a player with a track record of success who fits their emphasis on strike-zone awareness and competitive makeup. Johnson now turns his attention to signing and beginning his professional journey, likely in the complex leagues, where his power and approach will get an early test.
