St. Louis Cardinals’ Spring Training Countdown: Seven Days

We are down to seven days until pitchers and catchers report to St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training, and day four of my exploration.

First, a question: how is everyone passing these remaining days until the start of the St. Louis Cardinals’ spring training? I know I am passing the time playing The Show 15 on PS4 pretending that baseball has arrived, but that’s just me. Send me a message or tweet at me and let me know what you are doing to speed the days.

Second, an admission: I’ve actually received a few questions and suggestions on player names about whom I should write. One name that keeps bubbling to the top is Alex Reyes. While I am immensely excited to write about Reyes, I want to wait until the suspension has been served and he is actually with the club. Know that I am excited and look forward to his arrival nevertheless.

Having now written about a pitcher, catcher, and first baseman, I turn my attention to the middle infield. Today’s name is Aledmys Diaz. Aledmys joined the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 2014 with incredible promise. This promise, while not disappearing, was certainly diminished by recurring injury in 2014. Injuries continued into 2015 and prohibited his natural climb to AAA. 2016, on the other hand, should be Diaz’s year.

I would guess it would be natural for Diaz to spend the better part of 2016 with Memphis but could certainly see him rising to St. Louis should the need arise. This need, however, would have to present itself through long-term injury to Jhonny Peralta and/or inabilities of others such as the newly-acquired Jedd Gyorko or returning bench player, Greg Garcia. Jennifer Langosch believes that 2016 could present itself as Diaz’s debut as well.

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The excitement surrounding Diaz comes largely from his promise but his stats to-date hold their own as well. In his eight seasons (minors and foreign) Diaz has posted a respectable .303 batting average in 1,359 at-bats. In these he has batted 72 doubles, 36 home runs, and 203 RBI. His 155 walks shows that he isn’t afraid to keep the bat still either.

Hitting isn’t his only strength. In his eight seasons, Diaz has snagged 23 bases and speed is something in which both Memphis and St. Louis can find benefit.

In terms of fielding, Diaz has covered third base (his starting position in the foreign leagues in 2007), second base, and short stop. At just 25 years old, Diaz has posted fielding percentages of .947 at third, .966 at second, and .944 at short stop.

A quick examination of Diaz’s most recent activity- in searching for injury indicators- during the Arizona Fall League further illustrates his promise. In 73 at-bats, Diaz posted a .315 batting average hitting eight doubles, four home runs, and a total of fourteen RBI. His OPS in the fall league was .987. Memphis can definitely benefit from this player!

Where do I think he will play? Best guess is that Redbird fans will see Diaz patrol the middle infield spots. I feel that Memphis has a player who has third base locked but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Aledmys spell some relief at that infield spot either. Hint: read tomorrow’s post for my examination of Memphis’ third baseman.

One final note, I want to emphasize that I agree with the referenced Langosch article above that 2016 very likely will be Aledmys’ year to debut with the big club. I don’t see this happening inn all honesty until the rosters expand but by then we should all know if he has learned how to avoid injury.

Next: Spring Training Countdown: Eight Days

Follow me on twitter and keep watching for a new article over these next nine days as I look at the players who excite me for the upcoming season!

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