Cardinals First-Round Draft Pick Visits the Cave

In 2011, the Minnesota Twins took center field prospect James Ramsey in the 22nd round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft. However, instead of starting his professional baseball career, he decided to go back to finish his degree and play his senior season at Florida State University. Many thought that Ramsey was crazy for returning to school because of the high risk involved with choosing not to take guaranteed draft money, but he paid these naysayers no mind.

This turned out to be a tremendous decision...

During his senior year, he hit .378 with 13 home runs and 58 RBIs. He also tallied 13 doubles, 78 runs, six triples and 11 stolen bases. As he led his Seminoles to the 2012 College World Series, he was also named the Lowe’s Senior Class Award winner (best D-I baseball player), an All-American and the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year.

His impressive senior season made him one of the most highly touted prospects coming into the 2012 MLB Draft. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him with the 22nd overall pick in the first round. Just eight days after his Seminoles were eliminated from the College World Series, Ramsey was in St. Louis to sign his contract and take his first batting practice in Busch Stadium.

However, he was immediately sent out to the Florida State League to play for the Palm Beach Cardinals (high A). Impressively, he was the only 2012 1st-round draft pick to immediately go to high A ball.

Shortly after finishing his 56-game stint with Palm Beach, Ramsey chose to take a weekend trip to visit his older brother who is currently living in New York City. While walking around Manhattan, Ramsey suggested that he and his brother stop by the MLB Fan Cave because he knew that there was still a Cardinals fan there. Sure enough, Ramsey and his brother came by to see me in the Fan Cave!

I gave them a tour of the place, and they both stuck around to chat and watch a bit of the Sunday Night Baseball game. Ramsey even took the time to make his own “Cardinal Kai” photo to help out with my latest project for Cardinal Nation. He seemed to really enjoy the Fan Cave, and it was great for me to interact with a guy who could end up being a major force for the Cardinals down the road. He is an immensely talented player, and he is a welcome addition to what many believe is one of the best farm systems in baseball.

Be sure to follow him on Twitter @jamesramsey23.