The St. Louis Cardinals' top prospect list begins with a soft-tossing righty and a champion pick-off artist

For a certain subset of St. Louis Cardinals fan--the subset dismissively referred to, by a certain subset of dismissive St. Louis Cardinals columnists, as the Hyperventilating Prospect Geek Fraternity--the Future Redbirds Top 20 prospects list is one of the most invigorating moments of any dreary baseball offseason. It's back for 2013 on its new home at Viva El Birdos, and the first section is here. Jordan Swagerty, who might have played a role on the 2012 squad if he hadn't needed elbow surgery, and John Gast, who showed off his absurd pick-off move in Spring Training, are probably the most recognizable members.

But there are more on the list, and all of them are interesting in their own way. From No. 20 to No. 16 isn't typically the most exciting part of a prospect list, but it's where sleeper prospects come from--a year from now you might be eagerly awaiting the part of the prospect list that has Starlin Rodriguez on it. Right now he's here, forcing you to choose between his impressive slugging percentage in the Florida State League and his ominously high BAbip.

If you find that evaluation fascinating to make--well, you might be a member of the Hyperventilating Prospect Geek Fraternity. Welcome home.