Comments on: To Better Know A Prospect: Tony Cruz

By: Gruntosaurus

Gruntosaurus — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:47:47 +0000

He didn’t really “tear up” the AFL; he just hit somewhat above average for the league, stopping way short of the kind of performance that, say, Dustin Ackley has been putting up this year, or Colin Curtis did last year. Colin who? Good question, and an illustration that “tearing up” the AFL is no guarantee of success.

As noted in another thread, historically, an “inexperienced catcher” is not a good bet to stick on the ML roster. I’d be quite surprised if Cruz wasn’t in the Cardinals’ system at the end of the season, even if he’s temporarily lost to Rule 5.

By: Seals

Seals — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:33:24 +0000

Thanks for doing this. This is the kind of piece I really enjoy the most.

I can’t see Cruz sticking with any major league out of spring training this season but I’m not happy about him being exposed. I haven’t looked at the breakdown of roster spots closely but I assume it’s a reasonable risk to take with he and Steven Hill running on parallel paths.

Thanks again.

By: cardzfanbub

cardzfanbub — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:19:47 +0000

I don’t see anyway a team could keep him on the big league roster all year…I guess the bar is pretty low for backup catchers, though. If he hadn’t been promoted to AAA at the end of the year would that affect where he had to be kept if drafted in the Rule 5? I can’t remember if AA and AAA players have to be kept on the 25 man if drafted in the rule 5, or if it’s only AAA.

By: red blazer

red blazer — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:51:11 +0000

Bummer…

Hope we don’t lose Arnoldi.

If we do that is a big time screw up in my opinion.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:45:29 +0000

Here’s one from Matt Leach:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101117&content_id=16139830&vkey=news_stl&c_id=stl&partnerId=rss_stl

By: jjray

jjray — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:24:16 +0000

Why did they send Cruz to the AFL then? He tore the AFL but it apparently had no effect on the decision to leave him off the 40 man roster. However, his performance in the AFL did increase his stock in the Rule 5 draft. Would another team keep such an inexperienced catcher on their 25 man roster? I guess that is the gamble the Cards are taking.

By: Indiana Cardinal

Indiana Cardinal — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:58:23 +0000

I missed it. Have they set their 40 man roster? If so, where can I find the info? Thanks.

By: Jeff Roman

Jeff Roman — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:41:58 +0000

And of course, right after I write this – Tony Cruz is exposed to the Rule 5 draft this offseason. Hopefully, all my hard work is not for naught.