MLB

Cardinals have redprint for success

The Cardinals have many core players. When they lose one, another steps in to get the job done.

That’s because of their core philosophy — they draft players that fit their plan.

This was a tale of two organizations at Citi Field Tuesday night as the horrid Mets were embarrassed 9-2 by the mighty Cardinals. These teams have gone in much different directions since they met in that memorable 2006 NLCS.

The Cardinals have a player pipeline that is the envy of so many organizations.

“We value every pick,’’ Cardinals senior vice president and general manager John Mozeliak told the Post. “Understanding that you see players on this team contributing that weren’t necessarily first-day drafts. Trying to be successful, you have to hit more on just your top drafts.

“It shows you the depth of what we’re talking about when you see guys like a Matt Carpenter contributing at his level as a 13th-rounder or a Matt Adams who was picked in the 20s. Having the type of impact that these gentlemen are having says a lot, and I think it’s a great compliment to our scouting department and the process they use and the discipline to stay with it.”

“Clearly you want to hit on the picks you get, but throughout the last five or six years we’ve been able to gain extra picks whether it’s in the first round or the compensation.’’

Michael Wacha, the Cardinals’ 2012 first-rounder and 19th pick overall, won his first major league game last night and impressed David Wright.

“They keep pumping them out,’’ Wright said. “They hit on their draft picks, they develop extremely well. It’s impressive.’’

This is talent the Mets only can dream about at this point.

Explained Mozeliak: “It’s not only about the performance factor. It’s about the quality of the person. We look at guys who want to be successful, understand what it takes to be successful, in a lot of ways, might be overachieves to some degree. Those characteristics help them with their performance on the field.

The Cardinals selected St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.) ace Rob Kaminsky with their top pick in last week’s draft.

To be successful, you must have a Yadier Molina, an MVP candidate, a slugger such as Matt Holliday and a star presence in former Met Carlos Beltran. Add David Freese, acquired in a trade from the Padres, and eighth-round draft pick Allen Craig, who blasted a three-run home run in the fifth, as well as all those pitchers the 42-22 Cardinals have piled up.

St. Louis tops the NL in runs (326) and ERA (3.17). The 23-36 Mets are 12th in runs (233) and 13th in ERA (4.22).

The Cardinals won the World Series in 2011 and were one win from returning last October. That success is great, but Mozeliak knows better: “You better not rest on your laurels too much.’’

Mozeliak has been with the Cardinals for 18 years. He was scouting director when they selected Molina in the fourth round and Albert Pujols in the 13th round.

As for Beltran’s signing, he said, “We knew he was a winning player. Fitting into our culture should be seamless and it really has been. He’s been amazing.’’

There is a difference between life with the Mets and the Cardinals. Beltran, who was traded for Zack Wheeler, said, “This organization really believes in what they got, they don’t hesitate in calling up people.’’

Beltran said he was thrilled to present the first graduating class of his Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico on Monday. He did not play last night.

“This organization has always been able to find and develop players, they teach that,’’ Beltran said. “They’ve been able to keep guys together. And the veteran guys here, when a rookie comes, we make them feel a part of it. They feel comfortable and can be successful.

“This is a great team, winning makes a difference. The fans are there every day. Baseball is first, baseball is second and baseball is third.’’

That’s really what core success is all about.