St. Louis continues college momentum on Day 3

The Cardinals used their first-round pick (7th overall) on Sunday night to select infielder J.J. Westerholt from West Virginia University. They continued their college theme, selecting eight players from the college ranks on Monday, including rounds three through ten.

Below are the Cardinals’ Day 3 picks:

height, weight: Height: 5 feet 11 inches, Weight: 180 pounds

school: Austin Peay State University

background: A native of Walnut Creek, California, Gazdar played two seasons at Austin Peay State University after spending one season at Chabot College, a community college in Hayward, California. He appeared in 113 games for the Governors, batting .405/.443/.570. Gazdar was named ASUN Conference Defensive Player of the Year, a second-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association, and was named to the All-ASUN first team last season at Austin Peay State University. He started all 54 games for Austin Peay in 2024, committing seven errors in 193 chances at shortstop. At the plate, he had a 40-game hitting streak from March 2 to May 12 and had one of the best strikeout rates in the country. The right-handed shortstop struck out once every 16.9 at-bats, ranking fifth in the NCAA.

height, weight: Height 6 feet, weight 210 pounds

school: University of Alabama

background: After spending the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Maryland, Petruc impressed with his contact and on-base ability for the Crimson Tide. Starting exclusively in left field this season, the left-handed outfielder batted .321 with 14 doubles, six homers and 40 RBIs this year. He also finished in the top five in the Southeastern Conference in on-base percentage (.447) with 30 walks and a team-high 20 hit-by-pitch appearances. MLB.com called Petruc “a conundrum for scouts” because while his contact and power-hitting abilities are impressive, he’s unlikely to have the same success with his swing as he develops. Along with that analysis, the publication added that “his below-average speed and arm strength limit him to left field and he needs to develop more offensively.”

height, weight: Height: 5 feet 10 inches, Weight: 195 pounds

school: University of Rochester

background: Sparks spent four seasons at the Division III University of Rochester pitching 209 innings with a 3.06 ERA, 248 strikeouts and holding opposing batters to a .234 batting average. He saw limited starting appearances as a freshman in 2021, but became a regular starter in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. After going 13-2 as a sophomore and junior, he started 10 games as a senior in 2024, posting a career-best 4-2 record with a 2.25 ERA. The 21-year-old right-hander struck out 31.6% of batters he faced last spring and held them to a .201 batting average. He was named Liberty League Pitcher of the Year in 2023 and 2024. Sparks spent last winter training with the Treadmill Athletics. At the Tread Athletics facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, which also uses Cardinals’ Andre Pallante and Zach Thompson, Sparks, a D-III product, improved his velocity from mostly in the low 90s to an average of 95 and a maximum of 96.

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 215 lbs.

background: Mason Barnes, a standout senior relief pitcher for the Hilltoppers, was second in the nation with 15 saves this season. Barnes went 3-3 with a 4.00 ERA, striking out 52 batters and walking 13 in 35 innings. Barnes recorded 10 saves in 11 appearances from March 28 to April 28 and was named a finalist for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year award. The award is presented annually to the best relief pitcher in the country. This breakout season also earned Barnes a spot on the NCBWA All-American Third Team. As a junior, Barnes recorded a 2.95 ERA, striking out 66 batters in 55 innings and recording four saves. Prior to attending Western Kentucky University, the Bloomington, Illinois native played two seasons at Illinois State University. Barnes throws a lively fastball that sits at 91-94 mph, according to Prep Baseball Report, as well as a curveball (80-82 mph) and a changeup (82-83 mph). Behind the success he showed at Western Kentucky University, Barnes has been projected as a reliable relief pitcher with an attractive slider to pair with his budding fastball.

This story will be updated as selections are announced.