SB Nation    •   15 min read

Breaking down the Cardinals 2025 draft, using Viva El Birdos top comments

WHAT'S THE STORY?

MLB: Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals
Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Draft season stirs up something special in the VEB community: hope, snark, spreadsheets, and the occasional meme. I thought I would do something a little fun and community focused today to sort of round out my feelings on this year’s draft. So I dug through this year’s draft coverage and pulled my favorite comment-threat contributions. Whether you were thrilled by the analytics or just vibing with the vibes, I thought these comments brought insight, levity, and classic VEB energy.

We are starting

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off strong with some classic jdog energy. Nobody captures the chaotic optimism seasons like this seem to bring quite like jdog. This pre-draft comment really seemed to set the tone for how we were all feeling. I don’t think the gif is showing up in this embed, but if you follow to the original comment, you should be able to see it in all its glory.

nmstar
Fangraphs confirms it is Doyle
From their chat
"Cardinals are taking Liam Doyle. It's the second consecutive year they're taking the top player on my board."

nmstar dropped the confirmation of the St. Louis Cardinals first-round pick, and the comment section erupted in kind. Liam Doyle’s blend of dominant mound presence and elite stuff made him a fan favorite right away. The vibe shifted from cautious optimism to full-on “we got our guy” excitement. There’s something electric about seeing a pick you never thought possible materialize.

Knuckleballer33
I went back to Gabe's draft previews to see what he said about Doyle. What stood out to me was that BigJawnMize was adamant that Doyle would not be there at #5.
Sounds like an endorsement from someone who knows something about pitching.

By name-dropping one of VEB’s trusted draft sages, BigJawnMize, Knuckleballer33 gave the Doyle pick a seal of approval steeped in fan expertise. It’s a nod to the collective memory of the site—Gabe’s previews, past threads, and the voices we trust when the stakes feel high. Plus, it’s always more fun when the pick surprises even the savvy watchers!

The_Hoff_StL
Doyle has his ball-of-plasma fastball and pitches like he’s chained to a chair and is trying to get out.
From the Fangraphs write up. This is going to be fun.

I absolutely love this description and am furious I did not come up with it. I am appreciative The_Hoff_StL was able to share this with us though. Everyone was extremely hyped by the Doyle pick and quotes like this are exactly why.

BigJawnMize
Really like the Mitchell pick as a centerfielder can absolutely fly, not sure he should be playing SS or 2nd. I have seen him a handful of times on circuits. I think his hit tool is underrated a bit, barrels up a ton of pitches. Handles inside heat well, pulls the hands in and rotates his body. Starts his swing just a touch early but it isn’t like he is hitting the ball a foot in front of the plate, he is just going to need adjustment time. Such a good athlete that uses his body so well, I bet he will develop some decent power. Could be a 20ish homer CF in the show.

Speaking of the sage BigJawnMize, their breakdown of Mitchell’s tools reads like it was lifted from a pro scout’s notebook (with just the right dash of VEB flavor). From mechanics to instincts to future projection, their comment reminds us that drafting isn’t just about stats—it’s about upside. Mitchell might not be a middle infielder long-term, but as an explosive athlete with sneaky power potential and centerfield grace, he could become one of those players who quietly rewires a roster. We trust BJM, and we’re buying the vision.

lmbrgfktr
Cardinals:
We are reinvesting in our pitching strategy and will be creating a new pitching development path incorporating advanced metrics and latest technology
Media:
What's this new system called?
Cardinals:
Tennessee

Lmbrgfktr commented on the unlikely choice the Cardinals made in picking two players from the same school in their top three picks. It is likely just how the players fell, but it much funnier to imagine that is just the team draft strategy now. Sometimes the most powerful answer is also the most bewildering. Welcome to the future. It’s Tennessee.

lil_scooter93
yeah i am trying my best to relay what i can find to you all, but this is not really my area of expertise. now if you want a fantastical style over-dramatic parody of the newest draft picks being initiated in the order of cardinals devil magic, then i'm your gal

Wait... I still owe you all this.

The torches flickered as the newest draftees entered the sanctuary beneath Busch Stadium. Each wore a crimson robe stitched with golden embroidered runes of divine WAR projections, glowing faintly with the magic of past October triumphs. The symbols shimmered as they walked, echoing tales of Pujolsian prophecy and Lankford’s lament, while distant whispers from the Elders spoke of walk rates and BABIP yet to be fulfilled. The air smelled faintly of pine tar and prophecy.

“You must recite the Sacred Three True Outcomes,” intoned Waino, now High Archmage.

One recruit hesitated. “Is this… normal?”

“No,” whispered the intern assigned to media relations. “None of this is normal.”

Mozeliak, his visage solemn beneath an oversized cowl, raised a crystal ball containing a Statcast feed from five years in the future. “Doyle of Fireball. Mitchell of Flight. You are accepted.”

The robed crowd erupted, chanting “WAR”. As the ceremony concluded, one draftee leaned toward his neighbor and whispered, “Do they really think this stuff works?”

They didn’t blink. “Have you seen that 2011 team?”

These were just a handful of standouts from a community that never fails to bring insight, humor, and heart to the table. If you want more deep dives, jokes, or declarations of future greatness, you know where to look: the comments on our draft coverage are bursting with takes worth your time. Thanks to everyone who watched, speculated, memed, and made this year’s draft a joy. I can wait to see where these picks lead us next!

Happy Sunday!

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