St. Louis Cardinals: Roster Positions Selected, Announced, and Are the Right Choices

The St. Louis Cardinals have made some ‘final’ roster decisions and have announced these this morning. While solidifying much, these are- in addition- the RIGHT choices.

The St. Louis Cardinals always press into spring training with invigorated energy. Much of this comes from the finalization of the roster after a spring of spot battles. As we approach the close of the 2017 spring training, the organization has made a few final spot decisions.

Before diving into these, let me share with you that if you are a St. Louis Cardinals fan who is not following Jenifer Langosch on Twitter then you are doing yourself a major disservice. Go follow her now as she always breaks team news immediately.

I mention Langosch above not to boost her twitter followers or to gain any bribe from her but as a thanks to her for sharing the news of the final spots. These 25-man choices related today were in relation to Tommy Pham, Jose Martinez, Eric Fryer, and Greg Garcia.

Let’s start with Pham and Martinez. The news was released that Pham was optioned to triple-A meaning that Martinez was granted the 25-man spot. We at Redbird Rants have written much about Pham and much about Martinez and I have championed for Martinez to beat out Pham. Need I say how glad I am about this choice?

Okay, okay, let me also admit that I’ve argued as well that there is not much difference between the two. One of our writers here at Redbird Rants shared a great sample comparison of the two this morning on Twitter:

See how they are so similar? That said, I am glad that Martinez will be the backup outfielder and backup to the backup at first base rather than carrying the made-of-glass Tommy Pham.

Moving on, the St. Louis Cardinals also announced this morning that Eric Fryer will indeed be on the 25-man roster to backup Yadier Molina. No news has been released about Carson Kelly at this point but we can assume from this news that Kelly is likely to begin the season with Memphis.

Let me say that I am glad that Fryer is starting the season in St. Louis over Kelly. I wrote about this a short while ago and still believe what I wrote here. Let’s take an updated look at their numbers to compare where we are now.

More from St Louis Cardinals News

• Cardinals Rumors: 3 pros and cons of signing Carlos Rodon
• Cardinals: Here is Willson Contreras’ first message for St. Louis fans
• How do the St. Louis Cardinals stack up with Willson Contreras?
• Cardinals: The insane asking price the Athletics had for Sean Murphy
• St. Louis Cardinals: Ask me anything with Josh Jacobs – 12/8

In thirty-two at-bats in spring this year, Kelly has posted a slash line of .188/.308/.188. In thirty at-bats this spring, Fryer has posted a slash line of .267/.290/.333. These numbers tell me that Kelly needs more everyday at-bats and he simply will not get if serving in St. Louis. These numbers also tell me that Kelly still shows need for development (something he can get in Memphis).

Moving on, the St. Louis Cardinals also announced this morning that Greg Garcia will indeed break camp with the Cardinals. This will keep him on the team. Had he not broken camp with the team, for those who don’t already know, he would have had to have been released since he is out of minor league options.

I am overjoyed at this news. Just look at the number of times I have been trolling the team in support of him (link). Needless for me to say, I think that Garcia will be an incredible utility backup and/or steal the second base starting job from the slumping Kolten Wong.

Here’s an updated comparison of Wong and Garcia at the plate. After yesterday’s game, through forty-two at-bats, Wong has posted a .190/.277/.262 slash at the plate. Garcia, on the other hand, through forty-three at-bats, has posted a .349/.383/.558 slash at the plate.

All-in-all, these choices are the right decisions. I trust that more news will spill in the coming days about other ship offs. In the meantime we should all watch closely as management will surely turn their attention to the pen and starting arms for decisions to be made there.

Next: Battle of the Birds

Stay with us here at Redbird Rants and we will keep you updated as soon as we learn of news. If you aren’t following us on Twitter then you are also doing yourself a disservice in this regard too.  Go Cardinals!