When the San Diego Padres arrive this week for their annual visit to St. Louis, they will do so with a few reminders — of prospects the Cardinals once had and an approach the Cardinals intend to change.

In each of the past two offseasons, the Cardinals have left lower minor-league talents available in the Rule 5 draft and watched as the Padres cherry-picked two players who are on their current roster: Luis Perdomo, Thursday’s starter, and infielder Allen Cordoba, a Class A player a year ago whom San Diego is stashing on the bench. Both players were considered rising prospects by the Cardinals, but they rationalized neither could stick in the majors with a club aiming to win.

That is an outdated bet.

The Padres don’t have to be rational.

“I think definitely some lessons were learned from the last couple of years. At least I hope so,” said John Mozeliak, Cardinals president of baseball operations. “We have to understand the playing field has changed.”

In other words, potential could be more valuable than depth.