Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Crossland bounced from Division II Ouachita Baptist (Okla.) to Weatherford (Texas) JC to the University of Oklahoma in a three-year collegiate period. Just when he was about to show off with the Sooners, he strained a back muscle in fall practice, and it affected his performance with a 6.32 ERA in 68 1/3 innings. He struck out 26.6 percent of his batters faced, though, and buoyed himself with nine strikeouts and just one unearned run allowed in seven innings against Nebraska in the NCAA Regionals. The Cardinals selected him in the fourth round and signed him above slot at $729,500.

The 6-foot-2 southpaw touched 98 mph in his one SEC spring but generally sat 91-94. He could elicit a healthy amount of chase by climbing the ladder effectively with the heater from a simple side-step delivery. Holding bigger velocity without the back problems should be a goal in pro ball. Crossland’s most dominant pitch was easily his 83-85 mph changeup that generated special fade, and hitters swung over it again and again. He sells it well out of the hand, only for it to die just as it reaches the plate. His low-80s breaking pitches didn’t have great spin rates or feel for the zone, but he could work a slider or humpier curveball in for different looks.

Crossland slowly improved his control rates during his various stops in school, but even with the simple mechanics, he still walked 10.4 percent of batters faced with OU. At least the changeup should help him run reverse splits in the pros, and that’ll help his chances of finding a spot in the back of a future St. Louis rotation, especially if he gets to a little more velo with full health.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

After struggling to throw strikes at NCAA Division II Ouachita Baptist (Okla.) as a freshman in 2023, Crossland transferred to Weatherford (Texas) JC and emerged as the best junior college prospect in the Lone Star State last year. After moving to Oklahoma, he strained a back muscle during fall practice and it bothered him throughout the spring, when he recorded a 6.32 ERA. His 84 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings and his final outing -- nine whiffs in seven innings while allowing just an unearned run against Nebraska in the NCAA regionals -- were more indicative of his potential. The Cardinals agreed, taking Crossland in the fourth round and signing him for above slot at $729,500.

Crossland usually operates at 91-94 mph but can push his fastball as high as 98, getting high chase rates thanks to its carry and armside run. Hitters also can't lay off his plus 83-85 mph changeup, which fades and sinks. He spins both his heater and cambio at higher rpm than his low-80s breaking ball, which has slurvy break but does manage to miss some bats.

Crossland works from a simple side-step delivery and three-quarters arm slot. His control is still a work in progress, though he reduced his walk rate from 17 percent as a freshman to 14 percent as a sophomore to 10 percent as a junior. He needs to find more strikes and a better breaking ball, but he's a left-hander with a pair of interesting pitches.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

After struggling to throw strikes at NCAA Division II Ouachita Baptist (Okla.) as a freshman in 2023, Crossland transferred to Weatherford (Texas) JC and emerged as the best junior college prospect in the Lone Star State last year. After moving to Oklahoma, he strained a back muscle during fall practice and it bothered him throughout the spring, when he recorded a 6.32 ERA. His 84 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings and his final outing -- nine whiffs in seven innings while allowing just an unearned run against Nebraska in the NCAA regionals -- are more indicative of his potential.

Crossland usually operates at 91-94 mph but can push his fastball as high as 98, getting high chase rates thanks to its carry and armside run. Hitters also can't lay off his plus 83-85 mph changeup, which fades and sinks. He spins both his heater and cambio at higher rpm than his low-80s breaking ball, which has slurvy break but does manage to miss some bats.

Crossland works from a simple side-step delivery and three-quarters arm slot. His control is still a work in progress, though he has reduced his walk rate from 17 percent as a freshman to 14 percent as a sophomore to 10 percent as a junior. He needs to find more strikes and a better breaking ball, but he's a left-hander with a pair of interesting pitches.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	LHP Cade Crossland assigned to St. Louis Cardinals Prospects.
	08/04/2025	FCL Cardinals activated LHP Cade Crossland.
	07/19/2025	St. Louis Cardinals signed LHP Cade Crossland.
	07/19/2025	LHP Cade Crossland assigned to FCL Cardinals.
	06/03/2025	LHP Cade Crossland assigned to College Workout.
	01/31/2025	LHP Cade Crossland assigned to Oklahoma Sooners.
	06/04/2024	LHP Cade Crossland assigned to Hyannis Harbor Hawks.