Cardinals Minor League Report – First Base Prospects

On Tuesday we had a look at some of the names to know at the catcher position in the St Louis Cardinals farm system. Today we’ll have a look at first base. With Albert Pujols‘s departure, Lance Berkman is set to step in as the starting first baseman. It’s no secret, however, that he is nearing the end of a borderline Hall of Fame career. He is an excellent one or two year stop gap but is by no means a permanent solution. Who might be the next great Cardinal first baseman to emerge from the farm system?

Allen Craig – This first one is cheating. Craig doesn’t really qualify as a prospect as he has a roster spot locked up once he returns from injury. If none of the following prospects pan out, though, he could conceivably slot over to first base. His power numbers suggest an ability to stick as a solid offensive corner infield option. This is the Minor League Report, though, so let’s talk about the prospects.

Mark Hamilton – Mark Hamilton has been in the Cardinals’ system since 2006. He has shown some good pop in his bat but has been constantly overlooked by the Cardinals and put into timeshares for playing time as other prospects have stepped over him. His numbers in the minors suggest he could make the jump, but his two short stints at the major league have not been impressive. I would be very surprised if Mark Hamilton is ever penciled in as the Cardinals’ starting first baseman, but he could see time in the event of injuries. 2012 may actually be the year that Hamilton is moved in a trade. As we look at different positions in this series, a few players may jump out as still having some value, but reaching their peak with the Cardinals. Bryan Anderson was one and I feel Hamilton joins him in that group.

Matt Adams – Matt Adams can rake. He hit 22 home runs in A ball in 2010 and 36 split between Rookie League and AA last season. He still needs some seasoning in the minor leagues as his strikeouts and walk rate could use improvement, but Adams will be ready to produce very soon. The only question that really remains is whether his fielding will hold up as he has a physique that is more Prince Fielder than Albert Pujols. He will be an interesting player to watch as he presumably makes the jump to AAA at some point this season.

Xavier Scruggs – Scruggs bounced back at high A last season after taking a step back with the rushed promotion to AA in 2010. Like Adams, there is some pop in his bat, but not nearly as much. He has shown 20 home run power, but still shows very poor plate discipline. At 24, he is a little old for high A, but will presumably make the jump to AA if Adams is bumped to AAA. Scruggs does not look like the Cardinals next first baseman, but could be a trade piece to keep an eye on.

Jonathan Rodriguez – Right behind Scruggs is 22 year old Jonathan Rodriguez. He saw a surge in his power numbers after being promoted to low A in his second season and continued his improvement with a strong showing at single A last season. Rodriguez belted 20 home runs in 118 games, but, like the prospects above him, strikes out a lot. Of the four names listed, he is obviously the furthest away from the big leagues, but could surprise people if he works on his eye at the plate. He has already put up good walk rates in three seasons with the Cardinals so lowering the K-rate would help his chances. He may start at high A this season and could see a promotion to AA to backfill for Scruggs if he and Matt Adams are both pushed forward.

While there aren’t any slam dunk prospects on the horizon at first base for the Cardinals, there are some interesting players to keep track of. It will be impossible to find “the next Albert Pujols” as he was a generational player. “Replacing” him will be about as easy as replacing Barry Bonds or Babe Ruth. It could be many decades before a player of Albert’s caliber even enters the league, so the important thing to keep in mind is that the incoming crop of first base prospects don’t have to be potential three time MVPs or perennial all stars. While it would be nice, it is also necessary to temper expectations and be thankful if we uncover a first baseman with plus power or plus contact but not necessarily both.

Check out Seedlings to Stars for daily coverage of minor league baseball, prospects and draft coverage. You can ‘Like’ Redbird Rants by clicking here. You can follow Redbird Rants on Twitter at @FSRedbirdRants and you can follow Justin McClary on Twitter at @jmcclary22.