St Louis Cardinals Preview: Center Field
Apr 28, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Bourjos (25) runs towards 2nd base after hitting a double against the Seattle Mariners during the 8th inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
In anticipation of Spring Training, Arch Authority with preview every position group and give you an outlook for the 2014 season, today we will look at the Center Field position.
Projected Starter: Peter Bourjos
Potential Backups: Jon Jay, Shane Robinson
Prospect Pipeline: Oscar Taveras, Stephen Piscotty, James Ramsey, Randal Grichuk.
Outlook:
Peter Bourjos will be the favorite to start in Center Field since he was the player that the Cardinals traded hometown hero and 2011 World Series MVP David Freese for. With the logjam of outfield prospects, if he doesn’t produce the Cardinals will give Oscar Taveras and/or Stephen Piscotty a chance. Jon Jay and Shane Robinson will give some pop off the bench but the reason Jon Jay lost his starting position at Center Field is the lack of consistency in his production. I do expect the Cardinals to try to move Jon Jay, Shane Robinson, or both move before the July 31st deadline to make room for prospects like Oscar Taveras and Stephen Piscotty.
I do expect Peter Bourjos to be as good defensively as Jay, a slightly better hitter and a better on base runner than Jon Jay. His running ability will give the power hitting Cardinals much needed speed on the base path.
Read Other Previews:
Shortstop
Left Field
Follow Chris Flanagan On Twitter! and Follow Arch Authority On Twitter!
Contact Chris Flanagan at archauthoritytoday@gmail.com