As everyone probably knows by now, Brian Barton, the outfielder has been dealt to Atlanta for relief pitcher Blaine Boyer. I did like Barton a lot and I think he’ll be a good player and I wish him the best of luck. However, at this point, I don’t have a huge problem with this deal. Barton was getting passed on the depth chart by other outfielders, and the Cardinals are dealing from their depth to solve problems with the big club.
For Memphis, this cements the outfield as Jon Jay, Shane Robinson and Joe Mather.
Memphis and Springfield were the only two teams in action tonight and the system went 2-0.
DFR goodness after the jump!
- Kat Maekawa – emergency starter mock 2 – did much better this time and shutout OKC over 4 innings with 4 Ks and only one walk.
- Matthew Scherer got in trouble in his second inning of work with two walks and Hoffpauir error.
- Royce Ring came in to put out the fire, but did not bring his fire hose as he threw a wild pitch which allowed a inherited run to score. He had the double of a blown save and the win.
- Jess Todd closed the door with two perfect innings for the save. He had two strikeouts.
- Tyler Greene, SS was 2-5 with a walk.
- Joe Mather, RF was 0-4 with 1 strikeout. He is batting .053 on the year.
- Nick Stavinoha, 1B was 2-4.
- Jarrett Hoffpauir, 2B was 2-2 with two walks and was exciting every time he got on the basepaths. He scored one run. Got a stolen base. Got caught stealing. And he was also picked off 1st.
- Kyle Mura started this game and went 6 blah innings. He gave up 7 hits and 4 runs. But, he did strikeout 3 vs. 0 walks.
- Tyler Norrick followed Mura as it seems like he pitches every night. He went two shutout innings with 3 strikeouts and 1 walk.
- Kristhiam Linares – yes that’s his real name, closed out the game with 1 inning, 2 walks and 1 strikeout.
- Steve Hill continues to hit as he was playing catcher and went 3-4 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs.
- Brett Wallace, 3B went 3-5.
- James Rapoport, CF was 2-5 with 2 runs scored. He was batting leadoff. He also had a stolen base.
- Daniel Descalso, 2B justifies his article over at The Cardinal Nation by going 2-4 with a RBI.
- Tyler Henley was DH’ing and went 1-3 with a walk and 2 RBIs.
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Random comment: I’m watching some tape of Mortensen’s start and happened to catch a couple of Allen Craig’s at bats. He is LEGIT. Great swing. Good bat speed. Nice balance. Open stance. If I was a hesitant believer before, I’m a full blown convert now.
I won’t spoil my Mortensen writeup (and I need to do a full scouting report on craig) but I will say that Mortensen has a much better changeup than I expected.
What is wrong with Mather!? It has to be his wrist for him to swing the bat so bad.
I would love to see Craig to get the call up to the big leagues. I think by how well he hit in spring training should give him the edge for when Freese gets sent down and another RHB is called up. Because the MLB Cardinals need a Right Hand bat more than anything right now.
Actually, they need RH relievers or LH ones that can get RH’ers out more than anything.
And a manager that doesn’t think Brendan Ryan is a better option than Ryan Ludwick at anything other than being the best guy to clean Tony’s laundry with his tongue.
Tyler Greene is off to a great start. If he keeps this up i gotta believe he is going to take brendan ryan’s spot at some point.
I get more excited about Descalso by the day. Can someone who has seen him play fill me in on what his defense is like? Obviously, his bat is his calling card, but what kind of defensive 2B could he be?
Also, this isn’t minors-related, but there is a great interview with Albert on today’s Baseball Today podcast on ESPN.com If you haven’t checked it out, you should.
I wonder when Jess Todd will get the call
He won’t. The 40 man roster is going to be a mess next year and calling him up would mean we could potentially lose a player we normally wouldn’t.
then what is the point of moving him to the pen? the only reason that move made sense is b/c it seemed like they wanted him to pitch in the big leagues this year. if you don’t plan on calling him up, why not let him start and see what happens?
Adam,
I was wondering the same thing. It is almost as if they moved Todd to relief because they wanted him to be ready this year for the Majors. Not sure if that is best for him in the long term but it does seem to fit.
Todd’s line is “perfect” but he was *really* helped by the wind blowing in yesterday.
Brett Wallace now has 110 PA in AA for about (warning – calculations done in head) 330/450/550 avg/obp/slg
I have been a Craig honk for awhile. I think the big club is missing an opportunity here. Since it is baseball and we know that Craig will cool off I think the big club should bring him up now and ride his hot streak.
Was PB given the day off so that Reifer could celebrate?
AZ,
Would you say that Craig is TOO legit? Too legit to quit, even?
What is this some quasi-MC Hammer Rick roll attempt?
I approve.
It seems like this may be Jarrett Hoffpauir’s last year as a Cards farmhand. He’s unlikely to get called up based on the fact that he can reportedly only play 2B. His best shot was to become a utility guy. He still seems to have the on base ability – and I can’t speak for his defense, but he just does not seem to be in the team’s plans. Next year I’m betting he’ll get pushed out by a younger prospect (Descalso?).