DENVER • The Cardinals, during the previous decade, had earned a reputation in the draft for taking college players, most often pitchers, who had a strong track record, sturdy numbers in wood-bat play (when available), and often came from large programs.
They had a type.
And then Chris Correa threw a curve.
With their first three picks of the 2015 MLB Draft, the Cardinals selected three high school players. Mock drafts, which represent the industry vibe, and other sources had routinely mentioned the Cardinals' tendency to take a college producer. Then as the first round progressed the Cardinals watched as three players they had been linked to -- UCLA pitcher James Kaprielan, Arizona shortstop Kevin Newman, and Florida shortstop Richie Martin -- were selected from picks Nos.