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St. Louis Cardinals: Five questions ahead of Spring Training

By Josh Brown

Mar 11, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Randal Grichuk (15) signs autographs before a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Randal Grichuk (15) signs autographs before a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter (13) hits a home run during the first inning in game two of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter (13) hits a home run during the first inning in game two of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Does Matt Carpenter stay in the leadoff spot?

This is a question that should get a lot of play during Spring Training if nothing more than for the fact that Kolten Wong has adamantly stated that he wants to bat leadoff for the Cardinals in 2016.

The problem is — Wong doesn’t quite have the credentials. In 215 at bats at leadoff last season, Wong hit just .247 with a .303 OBP — not quite what you want from your leadoff man. Still, I see both sides of this debate.

Here’s what I can’t help but think — what if Matt Carpenter can continue his power binge out of the second or third spot of the Cardinals’ lineup? This Cardinals offense needs all the production it can get.

Carpenter blasted 28 homers, 44 doubles and had 84 RBI with a .871 OPS in 2015. What would those numbers have looked like with possibly more opportunities to drive in runs batting in the second or third slot? I know, I know. The Cardinals tried out Carpenter in the two-hole for 69 games last year and his OPS dropped to .700 with just six homers. But maybe, just maybe, Carpenter was trying to hard. Not to mention, the third baseman was sidelined for a weekend series last May due to cited fatigue and an accelerated heart rate.

Most will say that Carpenter is better suited for leadoff because he is more comfortable there and his numbers simply back that up. Fair enough, I can’t disagree too much with the numbers. Still, I believe this question gets some play in Spring Training and Wong gets some starts in the leadoff spot to state his case. That could also mean that Carpenter gets some starts a bit lower in the lineup to see if he can get comfortable in a different spot and not feel the pressure of trying to do too much.

Prediction:

I believe Carpenter will be the guy to step up to the plate first for the Cardinals come Opening Day. His numbers there are simply fantastic. But again, much of this question rides on if the Cardinals third baseman can find that same comfortability in other spots of the lineup and continue to produce numbers like he did in 2015.

If Wong can also make a strong impression in Spring Training by significantly increasing his OBP, striking out less, and wreaking some havoc on the bases, I could see him taking over as the Cardinals eventual leadoff man in the future and an exciting one at that. But it’s unlikely to happen in 2016.

Next: Can Randal Grichuk Provide the Power?

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