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St. Louis Cardinals: Evaluating the Position Player Roster Bubble

By Patrick Karraker

Mar 14, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Greg Garcia (35) attempts to throw out a Minnesota Twins base runner during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Twins defeated the Cardinals 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Greg Garcia (35) attempts to throw out a Minnesota Twins base runner during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Twins defeated the Cardinals 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /
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Carlos Peguero St. Louis Cardinals
Mar 16, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Carlos Peguero (38) celebrates with St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Anthony Garcia (81) after hitting a home run to tie the game against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

Carlos Peguero

Opening Day Roster Odds: 2/10

Peguero has arguably been the Cardinals’ most prolific hitter this spring, but the fact that he was held out of some games earlier this month by an injury may have prevented him from getting the exposure that he would have needed to force his way onto the roster. As a result, Peguero appears to be behind fellow non-roster invitee Jeremy Hazelbaker, who has 10 more at-bats this spring, in the battle to earn a spot. With that said, his numbers this month (.333/.385/.708 with two homers in 24 at-bats) are pretty impressive, and it figures that he’ll eventually earn a call-up if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster.

Peguero’s status as a lefthanded hitter isn’t really going to provide him much of an edge as he battles for a big-league spot, considering the fact that Brayan Pena, Matt Adams, and Brandon Moss are all capable of providing a late-game at-bat from the left side if necessary.

While he’s played some center field at various points in his professional career, the 6-foot-5, 260-pounder isn’t exactly a natural fit there, and Hazelbaker would seem to be the preferable option if the Cardinals want to carry an extra center fielder. With that said, Peguero would still be a solid defensive option at the corner spots if the Cards want some extra protection for Brandon Moss and Matt Holliday. Though his numbers could certainly be the product of small sample sizes, Peguero has been notably better in the outfield than Holliday and Moss over the past several years according to Range Factor Per 9 Innings and Defensive Runs Saved.

If he doesn’t crack the big-league club’s opening roster, expect Peguero to go down to Triple-A Memphis and seize one of the starting corner outfield spots (while also probably doing a good amount of DHing). Despite the presence of Anthony Garcia and Charlie Tilson on the 40-man roster, Peguero and Hazelbaker would likely be preferable call-up options early on, as Garcia and Tilson will both be on their first go-rounds at Triple-A.

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