St. Louis Cardinals: Offensive struggles loom large for several regulars

6. Stephen Piscotty– RF

2017 ESPN projection: .271 AVG, 85 runs, 20 HR, 84 RBIs

2017 stats: .239 AVG, 11 runs, 2 HR, 12 RBIs

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Another player who has been plagued by injuries, Piscotty may just need more rest when the St. Louis Cardinals can afford to sit one of their most disciplined hitters.

It’s a little concerning that his on-base percentage (.377) is higher than his slugging percentage (.358), but it’s possible some of his recent injuries have contributed to a decreased power presence. Aside from his batting average, Piscotty’s pace is not too farfetched from his rookie season output in 2015.

7. Jedd Gyorko– 2B

2017 ESPN projection: .253 AVG, 48 runs, 21 HR, 56 RBIs

2017 stats: .321 AVG, 21 runs, 8 HR, 22 RBIs

By far the team’s best hitter in 2017, Gyorko is one of few Cardinals who has avoided a slow stretch of hitting this year. His starting time began increasing when Peralta hit the disabled list, and he has started thirty-one of thirty-three games prior to this recent paternity leave.

Gyorko has already passed half of his hit total from last season (97), and he’s transformed his game to balance power with situational hitting. If he can keep up a similar pace into June, his first All-Star game nod as a utility man might not be too far out of reach.

8. Randal Grichuk– LF

2017 ESPN projection: .246 AVG, 74 runs, 26 HR, 77 RBIs

2017 stats: .222 AVG, 19 runs, 4 HR, 19 RBIs

Oh how the tables have turned for the Opening Night hero. A home run and walk-off hit from the first game of the season is one of only 10 multi-hit games he has recorded this year.

On Memorial Day, the Cardinals demoted Grichuk down to High-A Palm Beach to work on plate discipline among other things. He still leads the team in strikeouts since his assignment, and his early struggles have left some wondering how long he will remain a Cardinal.

Next: What's in store for the Cardinals in June?

While the season is still young, these all-around struggles present more concerns than answers. How the offense adjusts could make-or-break the destiny of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017.