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St. Louis Cardinals: Five Burning Questions

By Dan Buffa

Oct 10, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pinch hitter Randal Grichuk (15) celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning in game two of the NLDS at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pinch hitter Randal Grichuk (15) celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning in game two of the NLDS at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Randal Grichuk (15) is congratulated manager Mike Matheny (22) after he hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Randal Grichuk (15) is congratulated manager Mike Matheny (22) after he hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Which young gun will have the better year in 2016?

Question from Josey Curtis(Redbird Retreat)-With both slated to play daily, who do you think will mean the most to the Cardinals in 2016 and why? Keep in mind Stephen’s defensive versatility and Randal’s heavy power numbers.

My Take-I’m going to go with Piscotty and that’s not an easy choice. Grichuk has a big power stroke that got unleashed over a 40 day course last year before he got hurt, and it can be game changing. However, if I am a betting man and need to pick the higher probability, I like Stephen for a number of reasons. He can spray the ball to all fields, is capable of going deep, can play multiple positions(A Righty at First Base who Is Not Holliday!), and really picked this team up last year.

He was the only Bird with a pulse in the postseason and should make adjustments going forward that make him valuable. Health comes into play as well, because you aren’t sure how much of Randal you’ll get before he gets hurt or his elbow blows up. Piscotty offers the highest overall OPS potential and has a hitting style that isn’t reliant on power but can produce it.

While both are primed for full healthy seasons, Piscotty is the one I would betting on for more balanced and consistent production.

Next: Mike Leake Expectations

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