Rink23's Cardinals: Getting back to the top

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MLB news: Yankees lose Kershaw for six weeks; Texas' loses Bauer for season

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Game 27: Brewers 14, Cardinals 4, at Jupiter, Fla.
Records: Cardinals 11-16. Brewers 15-12.
W: Hader 5-0, 1.33. L: De La Cuz 2-1, 1.35/ HR: Luna 2 (2) Travis 1, Swanson 1.
Player of the game: The Brewers' Jorge Luna was 2 for 2 with a homer, three runs scored and two RBIs.

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Game 28: Cardinals 8, Dodgers 2, at Phoenix, Ariz.
Records: Cardinals 12-16. Dodgers 15-13.
W: Mayers 1-0, 0.75. L: Holton 0-2, 2.45. HR: Hedges 3.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Austin Hedges was 3 for 4 with a homer, two runs scored and four RBIs.

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Cardinals right-handed relief pitcher John Brebbia left their final spring training game, an 8-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, with elbow pain.
It was later diagnosed as elbow tendonitis. He is expected to miss up to seven weeks and has been placed on the 60-day disabled list.

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MLB news: More bad news for Jays' Carrasco

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MLB news: Spring training standings and batting leaders

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MLB news: Spring training pitching leaders

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Cards notes: Spring training batting and pitching statistics

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MLB news: Preseason predictions after spring training; Top 10 prospects; opening day schedule

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MLB news: Leftys off the board: Diekman to Dodgers, Blevins to Phillies

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Cards news: Manager/General manager notes on 2021 St. Louis Cardinals
Starting pitchers
SP1 Carlos Martinez, RHP, 30, 18-4, 3.21 ERA
His 18 victories led the National League and he has combined with Luke Weaver to give the Cardinals the best top of the rotation for the past two years. His 224 K’s ranked fourth in the NL in 2021. With a calf strain pushing back Weaver’s opening start of the season, Martinez will get the ball for the season opener.
SP2: Oscar De La Cruz, RHP, 27, 12-8, 3.57
Earned a spot in the rotation out of spring training and did not disappoint ranking among the top young starters in the National League.
SP3: Miles Mikolas, RHP, 33, 12-7, 3.93
In the rotation at the start of the season due to an injury to Jon Gray, he remained there the entire season consistently turning in performances that kept the Cardinals in the game.
SP4: Luke Weaver, RHP, 28, 13-5, 2.91
Dealing with a calf injury since about mid-March, Weaver will not be available to make his second straight opening day start but will be ready to go for the fourth game of the season. Weaver remains a top of the rotation pitcher, whose ERA ranked second in the NL.
SP5: Lewis Thorpe, LHP, 26, 3-3, 4.29
Edged out by De La Cruz for a spot in the rotation in 2021, Thorpe will get his shot this year. He showed signs of being up the task in 10 starts a year ago. He’ll get a longer look this year.

Bullpen
CL: Michael Feliz, RHP, 28, 44 G, 5-2, 1.72 ERA, 32 Svs.
Feliz ranked among the best closers in the National League until being slowed by a strained oblique in the final weeks of the 2021 campaign.
Set: Drew Steckenrider, RHP, 31, 55 G, 2-4, 3.83 ERA, 2 Svs.
Steckenrider’s performance took a step back from 2020, but he remains one of the better right-handed relievers in the NL. However, he is best in a set up role and will be counted on as a few of the other righties in the bullpen are talented, but big-game untested.
Set: Brad Hand, LHP, 32, 50 G, 5-2, 4.50 ERA, 0 Svs.
The loss of lefty reliever Jayden Cullingworth leaves the Cardinals with a big-void to fill. With the top free-agent lefties wanting huge money, the Cardinals will give Hand the first shot to fill the role. He was a disappointment in 2021, but with a tighter watch, he could be effective.
MR: Ben Heller, RHP, 30, 69 G, 5-2, 4.05 ERA, 1 Sv.
Heller is another reliever, who although he was effective took a step back from his numbers in the 2020 World Series season. There may be other options to fill this role, if he doesn’t return to form.
MR: Devan Watts, RHP, 26, 70 G, 2-6, 5.43 ERA, 3 Svs.
His analytics look much better than the performance he turned in for an under-performing Atlanta team. Will be expected to handle high-leverage situations.
MR: Gabriel Moya, LHP, 27, 65 G, 5-4, 3.35 ERA, 2 Svs.
The team’s No. 2 left-hander behind Cullinworth in 2021, Moya will remain in that role this season. Dealing with lefty’s will be a dilemma with all the question marks and Moya could see his position change early in the season.
MR: Alfredo Uribe, 30, RHP, 0 G, 0-0, O.00 ERA, 0 Svs.
A free-agent signing out of Mexico, Uribe has a huge upside but is relatively untested. The Cardinals hope he can hit hit big, like they did with Cullinworth before the injury. The one downside, Uribe does seem to have a bit of an attitude problem.
MR: Evan Kruczynski, 27, 4 G, 0-0, 1.93 ERA, 1 Sv.
Kruczynski earned the spot as the No. 3 lefty in the bullpen with a good spring. He only pitched in four games in the majors in 2021, but performed very well. He’ll get a shot to see if he can stick.

Catchers
Jake Rogers, B-R, T-R, 26, 65 G, .192 BA, 8 HRs, 21 RBIs
Rated as one of the top defensive catchers in the game, Rogers will get a chance at the start of the season to be the primary catcher as he flips roles with last year’s starter Austin Hedges. He’ll have to step up his offensive game, however, if he wants to keep the job.
Austin Hedges, B-R, T-R, 29, 112 G, .226 BA, 15 HRs, 45 RBIs
Like Rogers, his acumen behind the plate is among the best in the game but Rogers offensive upside is just a bit better. He’ll be given a few weeks to prove that. If it doesn’t work out, Hedges will likely move back into the No. 1 role.

Infielders
1B Rowdy Tellez, B-L, T-L, 27, 135 G, .237 BA, 18 HRs, 56 RBIs
His numbers don’t jump off the page, but Tellez had moments during his rookie year where he carried the offense. His average belies a solid on-base percentage (.338) and the amount of interest other teams showed in him in the offseason makes me think he could be something special.
2B Tommy Edman, B-S, T-R, 26, 151 G, .297 BA, 14 HRs, 65 RBIs
Quietly one of the best middle infielders in the league. He can play both second base and shortstop and is probably the best bunter in the league. A lost art, but it’s a great skill to have when you have Bryce Harper and Nolan Arenado batting behind you. Just makes things happen without much fanfare.
SS Dansby Swanson, B-R, T-R, 28, 143 G, .260 BA, 10 HRs, 54 RBIs
The Cardinals biggest off-season acquisition, he’ll replace Freddy Galvis as the primary shortstop. He may be a bit of a downgrade from a defensive standpoint but should be better with the bat. He doesn’t seem happy to be here, but once he comes around, Swanson should be a fan favorite and team leader.
3B Nolan Arenado, B-R, T-R, 30, 151 G, .274 BA, 49 HR, 142 RBIs
The 2021 National League MVP, Arenado saw a drop in his average (.293 to .274) but an uptick in home runs and RBIs. Combined with Bryce Harper to give the Cardinals perhaps the best Nos. 3 and 4 hitters in the game. No one’s better with the glove at third base.
INF Drew Robinson, B-L, T-R, 29, 124 G, .217 BA, 15 HRs, 49 RBIs
Saw his playing time take a significant drop from 2020, but his ability to play virtually every position (RF, 2B, 1B and 3B) and potential at the plate make him a valuable player. The more he plays, the better he seems to hit. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find a place to play him every day.
1B Jose Martinez, B-R, T-R, 33, 126 G, .244 BA, 8 HRs, 29 RBIs
His starting opportunities have dipped over the past two seasons, as have his offensive numbers, but he is a threat every time he hits. And, fortunately, his defensive ratings in the game are much better than his real-life self.
Outfielders
LF: Marcell Ozuna, B-R, T-R, 31, 155 G, .273 BA, 21 HR, 93 RBIs
Batting behind Harper and Arenado, his numbers will not blow you away, but 21 homers and 93 RBIs are nothing to sneeze at. If he keeps on hitting like that, although look for him to bat sixth behind Tellez, and he will continue to play.
CF: Ender Inciarte, B-L, T-L, 31, 152 G, .265 BA, 10 HRs, 51 RBIs
Although he continued to supply outstanding defense in center field, Inciarte’s offensive stats saw a siginfciant drop after he batted .317 with 15 homers and 56 RBIs in the World Series title season in 2020. He’ll continue to be the primary starter, but young outfielder Jeren Kendall will see plenty of playing time.
RF: Bryce Harper, B-L, T-R, 29, 121 G, .302 BA, 35 HRs, 90 RBIs
The 2020 NL MVP when the Cardinals won the World Series, Harper may have been on his way to a repeat before suffering an ankle injury which forced him to miss most of the final month of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. Keeping Harper healthy will play a huge role in the Cardinals’ ability to reach the playoffs for a third consecutive season.
OF: Randy Arozarena, B-R, T-R, 7 G, .000 BA, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs
The versatile outfielder will start the season in the majors while Jeren Kendall recovers from a back injury which should keep him out for five more days. Arozarena did have some success in a 2019 callup when he batted .275 with two homers and 14 RBIs in 39 games.
OF: Juan Soto, B-L, T-L, 23, 6 G, .333 BA, 1 HR, 2 RBIs
Picked up in an off-season minor-league deal with Washington, Soto will open the season in the majors after batting .333 with two homers and five RBIs in spring training. He will likely return to the minors when Weaver returns to make his first start of the season.

Disabled list
OF: Jeren Kendall, B-L, T-R, 26, 129 G, .264 BA, 9 HRs, 66 RBIs (at Memphis)
Kendall has yet to play in a regular-season major league game, but has impressed enough in the minors to earn a shot to supplant Ender Inciarte in center field. He is an outstanding defender and has the speed to make things happen.
RP: Jayden Cullingworth, LHB, 28, 66 G, 3-2, 3.03 ERA, 6 Svs.
A big-money, free-agent signing before the 2021 season, Cullingworth delivered with a strong season and was in position to be one of the top lefty relievers in the game before suffering an elbow injury (bone chips, which required surgery) after his first appearance of spring training. He is expected to be out until at least August. He is not signed for 2023, however, the Cardinals would probably like to see what they have to do to bring him back.

Players to watch
1B: Isiah Gilliam, B-S, T-R, 25, 133 G, .270 BA, 23 HRs, 72 RBIs (Triple A, acquired from Yankees)
A first baseman with all kinds of power, Gilliam is a player worth worthing. However, his attitude doesn’t seem to be the best. If he doesn’t perform, he may have to be dealt.
INF: Errol Robinson, B-R, T-R, 27, 111 G, .273 BA, 5 HRs, 42 RBIs (Triple A, Memphis)
Robinson is a strong defender at second base and shortstop and showed some potential with the bat during a September call-up in 2021.
SP: Jon Gray, RHP, 30, 23 G, 7-7, 4.31
A member of the rotation during both 2020 and 2021, I was shocked when he accepted a demotion to AAA, as he had refused in the past. He has a big contract, so it will be tough to deal him. But he could prove valuable if the starters in the majors struggle or get injured.
RP: Jonathan Pendergrast, RHP, 24 G, 4-2, 4.76 ERA
The highest ranked young pitcher in the AAA rotation, Pendergrast threw four shutout innings in a spring training start and will probably be the second choice to jump to the majors as a starter behind Gray.
RP: Ryan Helsley, RHP, 27, 28 G, 1-4, 3.86 ERA, 1 Sv.
Helsley spent a big chunk of the 2021 season in the majors and fared pretty well, outside a couple of outings where he got shelled that skewed his numbers. His number could get called quickly if an opening for a right-handed reliever occurs.

Where are they now?
RP: Dominic Leone, RHP, 30, 65 G, 4-2, 2.47 ERA, 2 Svs. (Signed with Minnesota)
May have been the Cardinals No. 1 right-handed set-up man in 2021. The Cardinals, however, looked to a couple of new faces -- Uribe and Watts -- to fill that role. A bounce-back season from Steckenrider also will be key.
RP: James Hoyt, RHP, 35, 23 G, 1-1, 5.91, 0 Svs (Traded to Washington)
Injuries slowed Hoyt in 2021 and that, along with his advancing age, led to him to be dealt to Washington. A deal which brought slugging minor-league outfielder Juan Soto into the St. Louis outfield mix in Memphis.
SS Freddie Galvis, B-S, T-R, 32, .251 BA, 10 HRs, 53 RBIs (Signed with Miami
Earned the starting shortstop position after Drew Robinson struggled early in the season -- he was supposed to form a wheel with Robinson and Tommy Edman at second and shortstop -- and provided some well above average defense. However, the opportunity to bring in Dansby Swanson, who will have to bounce back from a sub-par 2021 in Atlanta, proved too tempting.
OF Keon Broxton, B-R, T-R, 31, .210 BA, 7 HRs, 35 RBIs (Traded to Atlanta)
Broxton gave the Cardinals' three decent campaigns as their primary backup outfielder, but the emergence of Jeren Kendrall made him expendable.

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Cards news: Team organizational reports

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Cards news: Team organizational reports (cont.)

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These are the projected lineups for the Opening Day game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, on March 31, 2022, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia


St. Louis Cardinals
Mgr: Mike Renkes, 5th season, 359-290, in 2022 went 100-62, won NL Central, lost in NL Division Series
CF: Ender Inciate 152 G, .265 BA/10 HRs/51 RBIs
2B: Tommy Edman 151 G, .297/14/65
RF: Bryce Harper 121 G, .302/35/90
3B: Nolan Arenado 151 G, .274/49/142
1B: Rowdy Tellez 135 G, .235/18/56
LF: Marcell Ozuna 155 G, .273/21/91
SS: Dansby Swanson 143 G, .260/10/54
C: Jake Rogers 65 G, .192/8/21
SP: Carlos Martinez 32 G, 18-4, 3.21 ERA


Philadelphia Philles
Mgr: Miguel Centena, 2nd season, 2021 77-85, 4th in NL East

LF: Adam Haseley 96 G, .288 BA/7 HRs/36 RBIs
SS: J.D. Crawford 85 G, .286/9/37
1B: Paul Goldschmidt 161 G, .271/41/82
3B: D.J. Stewart 0 G, .000/0/0
RF: Domingo Santana 130 G, .213/21/59
2B: Scott Kingery 151 G, .233/15/71
CF: Odubel Herrera 114 G, .266/11/51
C: Eui Ji-Yang 111 G, .236/10/27
SP: Kyle Young 48 G, 8-8, 3.45

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Game 1: Cardinals 8, Phillies 5, at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

Rec/Std/GB: 1-0, 1st, Tied with Cincinnati
W: Martinez 1-0, 7.50. L: Young 0-1, 31.50. Sv: Feliz 1, 0.00. HR: Harper 1, Ozuna 1, Inciarte 1.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Marcel Ozuna was 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs.

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MLB news: Hudson signs with Phillies

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Cards news: Organizational report for April 1

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Game 2: Phillies 12, Cardinals 6, at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Rec/Std/GB: 1-1, 2nd, 0.5 GB Cincinnati
W: Hudson 1-0, 0.00. L: De La Cruz 0-1, 47.25. HR: Arenado 1, Stewart 2 (2), Crawford 1, Goldschmidt 1.
Player of the game: The Phillies' Paul Goldschmidt was 4 for 5 with a double, a homer, three runs scored and four RBIs.

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Game 3: Phillies 5, Cardinals 0, at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Rec/Std/GB: 1-2, 2nd (tied/w. Cubs), 0.5 GB Cincinnati
W: Sanchez 1-0, 0.00. L: Mikolas 0-1, 9.00. HR: Stewart 3, Kingery 1.
Player of the game: Phillies starting pitcher Sixto Sanchez allowed no runs on two hits in six innings. He struck out eight and walked one.

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MLB news: Giants' Salazar hits three homers in win; Astros claim Mayers off waivers