Comments on: Quad Cities Plays for Championship Sweep

By: Lou Schuler

Lou Schuler — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:19:59 +0000

I think JC lost their first playoff game and then ran the table. Last year they swept both playoff series.

I can’t remember any other time the Cards have had 2 minor-league champions the same year. Given the Cards’ history, it must’ve happened at some point. Does anyone know?

By: akaitori

akaitori — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 03:44:38 +0000

Lou,

Great hyperbole with Wallace. I see he’s pine-ridden in Houston. That invites more metaphors. Go for it and thanks for the research and comments. Much appreiciated.

By: jjray

jjray — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 17:38:26 +0000

Agree that Wong is the 2B of the future in STL. Also agree with the thought that he should start the season in PB, especially given that he is not going to the AFL (which Wallace did). Even if the Cards nontender Skip they have a very capable player in Descalso to play at 2B. They could also play T. Greene there. I don’t see any reason to rush Wong up the ladder. He should make it to AA before the 2012 season ends.

By: easy

easy — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:56:24 +0000

Am I correct that Johnson City and Quad Cities went 11-0 in post season play? Great finish to a great season for Future Redbirds, some team success and great development for lots of prospects.

By: Mrs. TLR

Mrs. TLR — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:14:13 +0000

In 2007, the Cards started Jon Jay at AA, skipping Palm Beach. Early in the season, he did not hit well. Then he injured a shoulder on a headfirst slide and went on the DL. When he returned, he was asssigned to Palm Beach.
Taveras and Wong could handle AA next April, but the Jay experience might lead them to be assigned to Palm Beach, then move up mid-season.

By: Lou Schuler

Lou Schuler — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:40:03 +0000

Where will Wong start? The two comparable guys are Jay and Wallace.

Jay, like Wong, signed soon after the draft and started in QC in ’06. He hit .342/.416/.462.

In ’07, he played 32 games at PB and 26 at AA. I guess he was hurt, but I can’t remember what happened. In ’08 he played 96 games in Springfield and 16 in Memphis. And of course in ’09 he was a big part of the Memphis team that won the PCL championship.

Wallace, like Jay and Wong, signed quickly and started out w. 41 games in QC, hitting .327/.418/.490. Unlike those guys, he jumped up to AA in his draft season, playing 13 games and hitting .367/.456/.653.

Then he got traded to every major-league franchise at least once, and was briefly exiled to Siberia (who knew the Blue Jays had an affiliate there?), and this year has bounced back and forth between Houston and Round Rock.

Which is the better development path? With Wallace, it probably didn’t matter; if he wasn’t going to play 3rd, then he was trade bait, and the Cards wanted to showcase his bat. With Jay, they were invested in developing a complete ballplayer, so it made more sense to take the traditional path to the majors.

My guess would be that Wong starts in PB and stays either half a season, or until he demolishes the league and forces a promotion. As Andrew noted, they have Starlin Rodriguez, along with Greg Garcia, who played well enough in PB to earn the promotion.

But I think it’s as clear as can be that Wong is the Cards’ 2nd baseman of the future. There’s no need to rush him, but he’s not a guy who’s going to be blocked when he’s ready to move up.

By: Jeremy Dahlstrom

Jeremy Dahlstrom — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 05:29:04 +0000

IDK, I could see Rosenthal possibly starting in AA next year. With full years, and successful years at QC they are all ready to move. I think Whiting eventually ends up in the pen, but he did well as a starter late this season and will probably stick there for awhile. Rosenthal has shown enough that I think the team can be aggressive with him.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 05:06:27 +0000

Hard to tell because the Cardinals are serious about developing Starlin Rodriquez also…but Wong will play at least half a year in Springfield. Taveras….hard to tell his bat plays in Springfield now, but do they want to continue to take him slow to help build his maturity and defense. All starters will start at High A and maybe move up as promotions dictate. I dont see much fast movement this year.

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 04:01:52 +0000

Congrats to the River Bandits!

I think Wong starts in AA, and Taveras, too, if he shows well in *both* the AFL and Spring Training.

I could see Rosie, Boone, or Ferrera advancing to Springfield at *some* point next year…but definitely not beginning the year there. Which I like. Better to err on the side of careful when it comes to hurlers.

By: akaitori

akaitori — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 03:41:43 +0000

One of the few gleaming bright spots this year for Cards baseball. How high do the following climb in 12?
Wong
Taveras
The five starters

Any going to Springfield?