St. Louis Cardinals: Magneuris Sierra Creates Excitement During Spring Training

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Magneuris Sierra showed a lot of promise in the first substantial Spring Training playing time of his career.

The 20-year-old outfielder sits as the number-six prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals organization according to MLB Pipeline.  Magneuris Sierra recently was optioned to the minor leagues, the specific level will depend on his performance in the Minor League camp games.  Although as of right now, he is listed in High-A Palm Beach.

It is safe to say that it wasn’t the play of Sierra that caused him to be optioned to the minors.  In thirty-one at-bats, he hit .387.  Along with that he scored a run.  But, he also accumulated seven strikeouts, and was caught stealing in his only attempt.

By no means is Sierra ready to be a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, but at 20-years old he is proving his worth as a prospect.  He has consistently shown the ability to make contact and get on base throughout his career.  This is made evident by his career .299 batting average throughout the minors.  A number that has seemed to continually rise as he moves up the ranks of the minors.

MLB Pipeline sets the ETA for Sierra at 2018.  That will most likely depict when he is ready to compete at the Major League level, but not when he will be in a St. Louis Cardinals uniform.  There is a talent cluster in the way.  Between Stephen Piscotty, Dexter Fowler, and Randal Grichuk, there will be a problem cracking a starting lineup.

More from St Louis Cardinals News

• Cyber Monday: Best bargain free agents for the St. Louis Cardinals
• Cardinals: These are the best trade partners this off-season
• Cardinals: Jose Quintana’s Market Price is Overvalued
• Cardinals: Paul Goldschmidt builds home for single mother and her family
• Cardinals: Is Lars Nootbaar underrated or overrated?

But there are the backups and prospects that cannot be forgotten.  Just on the 40-man roster there is also Anthony Garcia, Tommy Pham, and Jose Martinez.  Oh, and of course, the number-three prospect in the organization, and number-83 prospect in all of baseball, Harrison Bader.

That is not to say Sierra is doomed for a career in the minors, it just means he may have to work a little harder to break into St. Louis.  If his spring performance is any indication, it shouldn’t be an issue.  He looks to be a future star patrolling the outfield at Busch Stadium.

It may be a few years though.  This spring he had just five more hits than strikeouts.  That is a sign that he needs to mature into his potential.  Which makes sense, he is only twenty.  Sierra was signed back in 2012 at the age of 16, so he has had plenty of time to adjust to professional play.

Next: The Case FOR Greg Garcia

A .387 batting average is no joke though.  By every indication of his prior numbers, it is a sign of things to come.  It is a reason for fans of the St. Louis Cardinals to be excited.  Sierra poses more options for the future of the team.  And it looks like he is well on his way to  reaching his potential.