Hopes For The Offseason: Peter Bourjos

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Note: Hopes for the Offseason will be a series of posts regarding my hopes for players on the current St. Louis Cardinals’ 40-man roster. 

It’s said that the more work at something you do, the better you’ll be. Well. Peter Bourjos never really got that chance this season.

Bourjos came to St. Louis along with Randal Grichuk as part of a deal that sent David Freese and Fernando Salas to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Bourjos came into the 2014 season as the projected center fielder. But, Peter was terribly inconsistent. He covered center field and was fast when he got on base. But, he couldn’t hit. And as he streak of not hitting consistently grew, Jon Jay stepped up and snagged the job away moving Bourjos into the position of a back-up outfielder and pinch runner/hitter.

So how were his numbers?

YearGPAABRH2B3BHRRBISBCSBBSOBAOBPSLGOPSOPS+GDPHBPIBB
2014119294264326195424932078.231.294.348.64379541

Not so great, right?

He has a WAR of 1.4, as well. Now that is pretty impressive considering.

It also shows that when he’s given an opportunity he could be pretty good.

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So. What are my hopes for Bourjos this offseason?

* Hang out at a batting cage. Work on your hitting, keeping your eye on the ball, making contact … Sounds super simple, but that was his main problem!

* Get some ABs in a Fall or Winter League. Seriously. The guy needs to working on hitting and getting on base so he can be speedy and steal bases.

* Give him a first base glove and work on learning another position. While we’d prefer him in center field, knowing another position in the infield will make him an even more valuable guy who needs in the line-up. Jon Jay seems to have center field unless he gets traded.

This will be Peter Bourjos’ second year of arbitration. So, he can be kept at a fairly low price. Also? Jon Jay’s price tag is going up. So GM John Mozeliak still has some thinking to do about the center field position. If Peter plays this offseason right, he may be at just the right price for a second year with the team with more playing time.