Randal Grichuk Impressing Mike Matheny

It is always encouraging when a hitter enters the final week of spring training and still has a spot on the roster.

Even if Randal Grichuk is sent to the minor leagues in the final days of camp, he knows one person might be on his side.

Grichuk earned a vote of confidence from St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny in a question-and-answer session recently held with MLB reporter Jenifer Langosch.

“Not just the home runs — the power is nice to see — but also the defense, the baserunning and just his all-around baseball sense of ability,” Matheny said when asked about Grichuk.

After he hit .245 last year in limited duty, Grichuk came into this spring determined to do better. He has four home runs already this spring with a .256 average, and it seems like the power has come out of nowhere.

If that’s the case, and Grichuk continues his home run prowess, then that could help the Cardinals down the road. As the club transitions toward an offense made up of power and small ball, every little bit of home-run pop will help.

Keep an eye on Grichuk’s playing time if he makes the parent club. Matt Holliday anchors left and Jason Heyward is in right. Center field could be interesting between Jon Jay and Peter Bourjos, so maybe Grichuk could find some room.