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St. Louis Cardinals: Spring Training Check-in, March 3

By Dr. Michael D. Miles

Feb 17, 2017; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) goes through stretching drills before spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2017; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) goes through stretching drills before spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 14, 2017; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon (left) talks with Cardinals catcher Eric Fryer (right) during Spring Training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Year after year the St. Louis Cardinals must ask themselves who is the best fit to back up the castle that is Molina behind the plate and handling the pitchers. 2017 is no different.

The previous slides were lengthy and rightly so since there are so many prospects vying for the real estate of playing time. Behind the plate, the story is focused differently. Rather than battling for starting playing time, the St. Louis Cardinals catchers are all working to support Yadier Molina and to learn from this mastermind.

Let’s look first at our man of all seasons: Molina. Through Thursday’s game, Molina has appeared in five games and eleven at-bats. He has posted a slash line of .273/.385/.364. News has started circulating (and we have written about it here at Redbird Rants) that the team is beginning the negotiations to keep Yadi as a Cardinal through the end of his career.

Behind Yadi this season is most likely going to sit (or squat as the position requires) Eric Fryer. I am overjoyed at this and think he will serve nicely. This spring he has appeared in three games and five at-bats posting a .400/.400/.800 line.

Knocking on the door, and maybe even usurping Fryer, Carson Kelly is very nearly ready for MLB every day action. That said, I see him starting in Memphis so that he can play every single day and garner attention as his best value to the Cardinals might actually come in the way of a trade.

That said, Kelly has appeared amazingly in three games and five at-bats posting a slash line of .600/.625/.600. Keep a keen eye on Kelly as I’m sure the rest of Cardinals Nation and all of MLB surely is.

The other catching prospects to have appeared in games include:

  • Alberto Rosario (.400/.400/.600 in five at-bats) who will likely begin the season in Memphis;
  • Andrew Knizner (.000/.250/.000 in three at-bats) who will likely begin the season in Johnson City; and
  • Gabriel Lino (.000 across the board in a mere two at-bats) who is a confusing piece but will likely begin in Springfield or Memphis.

Let’s jump to the chase here: sign Molina to a long-term extension so that he will retire a Cardinals. Let Fryer serve as backup for the full season. Find a new expensive piece for whom to trade Kelly. The end.

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