As the Cardinals get the heck out of Philadelphia and head to Pittsburgh, I pose this question to the class: Looking at the two teams current MLB roster and mid-to-upper minor leagues, who will be the better team (outside of free agency) over the next 6 years? Will it be the Cardinals with a core of Rasmus, Garcia, Wainwright, Freese and Molina or Pittsburgh with a core of Tabata, McCutchen, Jones, Alvarez, etc? There are no wrong answers here, atleast unless one of you has a crystal ball.
On to the DFR!
Memphis 2, Albuquerque 3 (10 innings)
- Daniel Descalso was 2-for-5 with a double.
- Reuben Gotay, Allen Craig and Kevin Howard all picked up a hit.
- Sugar Shane Robinson went 2-for-5.
- Bryan Anderson went 2-for-5 with a 2-run HR.
- The real story of the game, however, was PJ Walters. His first start of the season following his personal tragedy during Spring Training, Walters pitched extremely well going 6 IP, with 9 K, 2 H and 1 ER.
- Rich Hill took the blown save, giving up a hit and a run (unearned) on 3 K in 2 IP.
- Fernando Salas struck out 1 and gave up 1 H in his 1 IP.
- Rich Rundles took the loss after giving up 2 H, 1 BB and 1 ER in 1 IP.
Springfield 16, Northwest Arkansas 8
- The Cardinals went to NWA and a football game broke out. Apparently the Naturals were using pitching machine because the Cards just absolutely tee’d off.
- James Rapoport went 3-for-6 with 2 R , 1 2B, 1 HR and 5 RBI.
- Pete Kozma was 2-for-6 with a solo HR.
- Steve Hill went 1-for-5 with 2 R.
- Andrew Brown, Texas League Player of the Week, was 1-for-4 with 1 HR and 2 RBI.
- Aaron Luna had a big day, going deep twice with 3 R, and 3 RBI.
- Curt Smith was 2-for-4 with 2 R, 1 HR and 3 RBI.
- Daryl Jones was 2-for-5.
- Mike Folli hit a triple.
- Colt Sedbrook was 2-for-3 with 2 R and 2B.
- Nick Additon picked up the win going 6 IP, scattering 9 H and 4 ER on 1 BB, 3 K and 1 HR.
- Ryan Kulik went 1 IP with 1 H and 1 BB.
- Francisco Samuel was roughed up a bit in his 1 IP. He gave up 3 H, 4 R (2 ER) with 1 BB and 2K.
- Eduardo Sanchez closed things down with a perfect frame.
- Jermaine Curtis, Matt Carpenter and Jose Garcia all went 0-for-2 but collected a pair of walks.
- Palm Beach was no hit by Andrew Miller on rehab and a pair of Jupiter relievers. The team walked 9 times though.
- Jared Bradford went 6 innings allowing 4 runs on 7 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 3.
- Ryde Rodriguez and Edgar Lara both went 2-for-4 with a double.
- Ivan Castro was 2-for-4.
- Jorge Rondon getting the start went 5 innings striking out 5, walking 1 and allowing 5 hits. He was tagged for 3 ER.
- Michael Blazek picked up the “save” with a fantastic 4 innings. He was perfect striking out 7.
Entries (RSS)
No PB/QC commentary?
Well, if you exclude Pujols and Holliday (which I have no idea why you did) Pitt probably will. but that is kind of like fighting with both hands ties behind your back. And considering Pitt hasn’t had to draft outside of the top 15 forever, we’ve tied our feet together. Maybe I’m missing what you’re driving at.
HL is looking at the core of young players on each team and those that are rookies this year, at least that is how i interpret it.
My vote says St. Louis will be better , because unless Pittsburgh changes their philosophy and hangs on to their good young players, it will just be more of the same in (used to be) Steel Town.
I think with Guys likes of Stavinoha, Mather, Ramus, Jay. Craig, Garcia, Greene, Henley, Ottavino, Lynn, Boggs, Walters, Hawksworth, Descalso the cards have the best prospects that are either at STL now or will be there shortly in the very near future i. e. Mulligan types.
I have to agree with cariocacardina. Why would you exclude Pujols and Holliday? Both will be a solid core of the redbirds for years to come, but our rookies have been fantastic also. Garcia and Freese? Who expected that?
I think the answer depends on Garcia’s health. Can he build up to 200+ IP? If so, he and Wainwright can form a very solid 1-2 at the top of a post-Carpenter rotation, combining for 10-12 wins above replacement (and maybe more in career years).
Two other key questions: Who emerges as the RF to replace Ludwick in 2012 and beyond? Realistically, I don’t think we have anybody in the system now who can replace his ’08-09 production. And who will close after Franklin’s contract ends? Is Sanchez the guy?