The St. Louis Cardinals added another promising arm to their farm system on Sunday by selecting South Alabama right-handed pitcher Jacob Haley in the 11th round of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Haley, a junior from Huntsville, Alabama, was chosen with the No. 324 overall pick, making him the first South Alabama Jaguars player selected in this year’s draft. His selection marks a significant milestone after overcoming multiple injury setbacks throughout both his high school and collegiate careers.
Despite limited opportunities on the mound, Haley showed enough potential to catch the attention of Cardinals scouts. Across three seasons at South Alabama, he appeared in 24 games, logging just 27.2 innings due to injuries. He finished his college pitching career with a 1-1 record, a 4.88 ERA, one save, and 35 strikeouts, demonstrating an ability to generate swings and misses when healthy.
Haley also contributed as a position player during his time with the Jaguars. Used primarily as a designated hitter and pinch hitter, he appeared in limited offensive opportunities, batting .190 with one double, one triple, two home runs, and three RBIs across 48 plate appearances. His versatility gave South Alabama another option off the bench while he worked his way back from injuries.
Although his collegiate statistics don’t jump off the page, the Cardinals are likely investing in Haley’s raw talent and upside. His strong arm and athleticism made him an intriguing late-round selection, and the organization will hope its player development staff can help him stay healthy and unlock his full potential in professional baseball.
Haley’s selection caps a solid 2026 season for South Alabama, which finished with a 34-23 overall record. The Jaguars advanced to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament but were eliminated after posting a 1-2 record.
Now, Haley will begin the next chapter of his baseball career in the Cardinals organization, looking to turn his perseverance through injuries into a successful climb through the professional ranks.
