Potential St. Louis Cardinals X-Factors in 2015
With Cardinals pitchers and catchers just days away from reporting now, Spring Training 2015 is almost upon us. For some this is like their first day at a new school, and for others it’s another day, another dollar. It is a time that Cardinals scouts and managers get to see not only who their lineup will consist of, but who can be a secret weapon this season. Less than two months from now, we will see who are some the potential X-factors for the Cardinals roster in 2015.
Like most teams, a vast majority of the team’s roster is locked in. In most cases, it is a battle for younger players or older veterans to prove that they have what it takes to contribute. Mike Matheny won’t spend much time scouting established players like Matt Holliday. Mattheny and his staff will turn their eyes mainly to the minor league players to see who will be candidates to be called up as the season goes on. So here are a few players that have what it takes to perform and excel at the big-league level this year.
Sam Tuivailala, RHP– In 2014 few predicted the 6’3 righty to be with the club and with good reason. It isn’t every day that an unproven pitcher on a team as deep in pitching as the Cardinals moves up from A+ to the majors in one season. Yes, from A+-AA-AAA-MLB Sam Tuivailala rose quickly. Even though he only served 1.1 innings as a reliever, he recorded three-strikeouts and allowed one hit. Overall last season, spread from his A+ through MLB season he combined for 60 innings pitched striking out 97 while allowing 48 hits and only a single homerun back in Palm Springs (A+).
Why a potential x-factor?: In a year where the most likely scenario involves losing Carlos Martinez to the starting rotation, there will be a lack of a dominating late-inning fireball pitcher. Marco Gonzales will likely be kept stretched out in Triple-A, leaving Trevor Rosenthal, Seth Maness, Randy Choate, Jordan Walden, and Matt Belisle as the most likely remaining bullpen pitchers. This cast needs a fastball pitcher who can get guys out via the strikeout.
Kolten Wong, 2B– Remember, an x-factor is a player you are guessing could make a big stride and shock the league. Despite early issues last year, Wong became the projected talent that many hoped for near the end of last season. He has speed (too much at times when over sliding some bags), and he has pop in his bat as well with his 12 home runs in 113 games. Many people are looking at him near the bottom of the lineup due to the amount of All-Star names in the roster, which may be good for him.
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Why a potential x-factor?: Wong recorded 12 home runs and 20 steals in 113 games last season. Given a full season and the added knowledge of last year’s struggles and successes, Wong could potentially be a 20 home run, 30 steal guy who bats near .280. You couple that with the fact that he most likely will bat in the 7 or 8 spot, that is pretty lethal. In many of his at-bats there will be runners ahead of him, or a pitcher right behind him. He will get pitches to hit or will be given an automatic pass to first and will make a pitcher worry as they try to deliver due to his speed.
Mark Reynolds, Utility– Mark Reynolds is the definition of boom or bust when it comes to his at-bats. He will never be cheated out of an at-bat, and that is a good thing. Last season he hit 20 home runs but posted a batting average of .198. If the Cardinals can work on his swing, they may have a nice backup 1B, 3B, and DH this season. Basically he is currently is the designated ‘pitchers spot’ hitter until further notice.
Why a potential x-factor?: Here is the projected lineup most days (Carpenter, Heyward, Holliday, Adams, Peralta, Molina, Wong, Jay, Pitcher) so now with interleague play being year-round, you can replace the pitcher with him in more games over the season. That means a vast power improvement over previous years at that position without sacrificing an everyday starter. He may see near 180 at-bats and hopefully hit over .220 and hit 12 to 15 home runs. In the fantasy world of WAR, his bat versus a pitcher’s bat is worth a couple wins. And that could be clutch, all said and done.
Any x-factors you want to share?
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