The St. Louis Cardinals continued to bolster their pitching pipeline during Day Two of the 2026 MLB Draft, selecting right-handed pitcher Jaden Alba from Arizona State University with the 414th overall pick in the 14th round.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Alba, a Long Beach, California native born on July 5, 2005, brings a solid three-year college track record and strong summer league performance to the organization. A product of Richard Gahr High School in Cerritos, Calif., he was a highly regarded prospect out of high school before committing to the Sun Devils.
Alba appeared in 37 games (12 starts) over three seasons at Arizona State (2024-26), posting a career 6.20 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 97.1 innings. His strikeout rate sat around 10.1 K/9, showing an ability to miss bats despite some inconsistencies with command and results in the competitive Big 12 Conference.
- 2024 (Freshman): Limited to nine relief appearances (7.1 IP), he posted a 7.36 ERA but showed flashes, including his first career save against Cal State Fullerton with five strikeouts.
- 2025 (Sophomore): Stepped into a larger role with 11 appearances (eight starts), going 3-1 with a 5.58 ERA, 45 strikeouts in 40.1 innings, and a save at Baylor.
- 2026 (Junior): Made 17 appearances (four starts), finishing 3-3 with a 6.52 ERA in 49.2 innings. He struck out 59 batters (10.7 K/9) while walking 25, posting a 1.65 WHIP.
Notably, Alba was a teammate of fellow 2026 Cardinals draftee RHP Derek Schaefer (7th round) during the 2025-26 seasons at ASU, and he overlapped with 2024 Cardinals 4th-round catcher Ryan Campos in 2024. This familiarity could ease his transition into the St. Louis system.
Alba’s performance this summer with the Bourne Braves in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League stood out. In four outings (three starts), he went 1-0 with a sparkling 1.13 ERA over 16 innings. He allowed just 11 hits and two earned runs while striking out 16 and walking eight. He earned a win with five shutout innings and three hits allowed in one notable start.
This success against premium wooden-bat competition highlighted his potential and likely played a significant role in his draft stock.
Alba profiles as a physical, durable right-hander with a promising three-pitch mix. His fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s (93-94 mph), touching 96 mph. It features solid induced vertical break (around 16 inches) and some cut action, playing as more of a cut-fastball at times with good extension from his 6-3 frame.
He complements the heater with a slider in the low-to-mid 80s and a mid-70s curveball/changeup offering, the latter showing about 11 inches of drop for vertical separation. The pitch data suggests swing-and-miss potential, particularly with the fastball and breaking ball combination, though refining consistency and command will be key as he turns pro.
Scouts have long noted Alba’s projectable frame and arm strength, dating back to his high school days when he already showed velocity in the mid-80s with room to grow. His competitiveness and experience in high-level environments (including the Cape) should serve him well in the Cardinals’ player development system, which has a strong track record with college arms.
In the 14th round on Day Two, Alba represents classic mid-to-late round value — a big-bodied pitcher with strikeout stuff who showed improved performance in a premier summer league. The Cardinals have emphasized pitching depth throughout this draft, and Alba fits the mold of an arm who could develop into a reliable starter or high-leverage reliever with further refinement of his secondary offerings and command.
Alba will likely report to one of the Cardinals’ lower minor league affiliates in the coming weeks to begin his professional journey. For a player who has steadily improved his role at Arizona State and thrived this summer, the opportunity to join an organization that values pitching development is a strong next step.
Welcome to the Cardinals, Jaden Alba.
