Cardinals analysis: Xavier Scruggs

When Matt Adams went down earlier this season with a torn quad muscle, some St. Louis Cardinals fans groaned.

Mark Reynolds, although he has done a decent job off the bench, just seems ill-fit as a starter.

Then along came Xavier Scruggs, and there is renewed optimism for the Cardinals.

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Scruggs was just recalled from Triple-A Memphis, and all he has done in 19 at-bats is hit .474 with a blazing .636 average in the past week.

Yes, I know. There’s no way Scruggs keeps up this torrid pace. What this does is establish another weapon off the bench for the Cardinals.

Let’s explain.

Reynolds was signed mainly as first and third base help for both Adams and Matt Carpenter, just in case one of the two needed a night off. Although Reynolds has had a decent bat as of late, you can debate whether he is actually a starter or someone who should play periodically.

Scruggs is showing signs of an explosive bat, even as his advanced age — he will be 28 in September — may be betraying him. The age of 27 is the age a prospect usually reaches a peak. If they don’t have it by now, prospects generally head downhill after that.

Could Scruggs be a late bloomer?

So far the Cardinals have appreciated his bat. He has been a big reason why the Cardinals are on such a hot streak at the moment, and he cam help the team finish the first half strong next week and head to the All-Star break in a winning way.

Reynolds is a valuable part of the team, one that may be best left on the bench. I could advocate general manager John Mozeliak and manager Mike Matheny going with Scruggs full time at first base.