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St. Louis Cardinals: Four position battles to watch this spring
By Matt Graves
5th starter
Like left field, there is an easy choice for who should be able to earn the team’s 5th starter job. Behind Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas, Adam Wainwright, and Kwang Hyun Kim, the job should go to Carlos Martinez. However, that isn’t guaranteed this year after years of inconsistency from the righty.
Coming into spring, the group competing for the role is Martinez, Alex Reyes, John Gant, and Daniel Ponce de Leon, with the possibility of the role going to another young guy like Genesis Cabrera or Zach Thompson.
Looking at this list, separating the odds is pretty easy. Martinez has the best shot, with Reyes and Gant next and then everyone else. For Carlos Martinez, if he just keeps pitching like he’s done over the winter in the Dominican Republic, he’ll be an easy choice.
However, if injuries happen or Martinez looks off, there is a real possibility that a new name could find its way into the Cardinals’ rotation.
Third Base
Just kidding.