By Rob Rains
When Brian Moehler had the chance to watch his son Dane play high school baseball, the area scout in Georgia didn’t realize that it was going to turn into a professional edge for the Cardinals.
Watching his son gave Moehler the chance to watch Trevor Condon.
“Trevor was a couple years younger than my son but same region in high school, so I got to see him often,” Moehler said.
Moehler, who has worked for the Cardinals since 2021, wasn’t the only Cardinals’ scout or official who liked Condon. They selected the 18-year-old with their first-round pick, the 13th overall selection on the first day of the MLB Draft on Saturday.
There was a lot to like about the Georgia high school Player of the Year from Etowah High School, who led the Eagles to two Class 6A state championships.
“I think that exuberance is authentic,” said assistant general manager Randy Flores. “I think he really just loves the game. He’s the type who wakes up every day to try to get the most out of himself, a single-minded focus and purpose.”
Moehler saw the skills Condon brings to the field as well.
“Speed and contact stood out early and the effort and energy has always been there,” Moehler said. “It was easy to tell he loves playing the game. As he matured the body got stronger (still growing) and he began to impact the baseball more.
“He faced really good competition his entire high school career. With that, I was able to see him versus really good high school arms that showed velocity.”
As a senior, the 5-foot-11 lefthanded hitter posted a .504 average with nine homers, 42 RBIs, 17 doubles and stole 15 base in 36 games.
Speaking with St. Louis media in a conference call, Condon described himself as a “speedster who is dangerous in the box,” Condon said. “A centerfielder who takes control and command.”
Condon had a chance to meet with Cardinals officials during a private workout in Jupiter, Fla., and later at the MLB Combine in Phoenix.
“He honestly was having a blast.” Flores said. “You want people to have a blast when they are playing this game. Then at the scouting combine you get a chance to interview the players one on one, and we just called him in and we didn’t even interview him. We just wanted 30 minutes to hang with him. We already felt we were in a good spot getting to know him.”
Condon said he thought he had developed a great relationship with Cardinals officials and went to bed Friday night thinking there was a chance the team would draft him.
“I probably haven’t slept as good as I did last night in a long time,” Condon said. “I don’t sleep much already but for some reason the stressful situations calm me down like a baby. It gives me something to dream about. I had a smile on my face, knowing that today could be my day.
“The Cardinals made the right decision. I’m so excited. Let me show you guys that when I get there.”
Condon is a Tennessee commit, but he made it clear he intends to sign with the Cardinals.
“I want to be a Hall of Famer, more than a Hall of Famer,” he said. “I want to leave a legacy.
“I believe I was given natural talent from God that some people aren’t blessed with and I’m fortunate to have that. I have a tattoo (above his right knee) that says, ‘For those who can’t.’ I do what I get to do everyday and I understand that.”
Condon caught the fly ball that clinched this year’s state championship and still has it in his bedroom – and he autographed it as well.
Where does his confidence come from?
“Truthfully it comes from all the hard work,” Condon said. “It comes from putting your head down and sticking with what you know and for me that’s getting 1 percent better every day. … Having an attitude makes you better. It’s who I am.”
Condon was one of two high school players drafted by the Cardinals on Saturday. In the previous four drafts, they had drafted and signed one high school player.
The Cardinals followed the selection of Condon with six more picks on the first day of the draft, one more than any other team.
Their second pick of the day, the 32nd overall selection, was right-handed pitcher Tegan Kuhns of Tennessee, following the Cardinals using two of their high picks last year on pitchers from the school. Kuhns struck out 106 ad walked 16 in 81 innings this year as a draft-eligible sophomore.
With the 50th overall pick, the Cardinals chose their second high school player, shortstop Rocco Maniscalco from Oxford, Ala. He was one of the youngest players in the draft at 17 and won’t turn 18 until next May.
The next two picks for the Cardinals, the 68th and 72nd overall selections, were two competitive balance picks they received in the trade sending Brendan Donovan to the Mariners. They used the picks on Central Florida outfielder Andrew Williamson and right-hander Dawson Montesa from West Virginia.
With the 86th overall pick, the Cardinals selected outfielder Caden Ferraro from Texas Tech and with their final pick of the day, the 114th overall selection, they chose Dee Kennedy, a shortstop from Kansas State.
The draft will continue on Sunday with picks in rounds five through 20.
Follow Rob Rains on X @RobRains
Photos by the Associated Press and courtesy of Atlanta Journal-Constitution
To hear Randy Flores’ interview after Saturday’s draft, click the audio player below:
Thank you to our audio producer David Solomon for the interview.
