Will Cardinals’ outfield find its Lane?
ST. LOUIS — Sometimes, spring training seems too long — practices and more practices, games and more games, months of Groundhog Days, starting shortly after Groundhog Day.
But with so many St. Louis Cardinals challenging for two outfield spots, one wonders if there will be enough spring training at-bats to get a proper look at all the candidates?
That’s the quandary the Cards are in — especially with opening day this year on March 26. If Tyler O’Neill, Lane Thomas, Harrison Bader and Dylan Carlson all do well in spring, who starts?
“I think for most of these guys,” General Manager Michael Girsch said, “hitting the ground running offensively at spring training is going to be a big factor in what their spring looks like. And sort of how the season begins for each of them.”
My guess is that Bader will start the season in center — the Cardinals will likely give him the benefit of the doubt that he improved his hitting approach. But Thomas will loom. He is very, very intriguing in center (and possibly left). Why? Because in 2018 and 2019, all he did was hit and hit and hit. So why not also in 2020? Let’s look at Thomas, who is 24. 2018: He started at Class AA Springfield. He played 100 games, hitting 27 home runs and stealing 13 bags. His OPS in 435 plate appearances was .824 (and he slashed .260/.337/.487). And then, called up to Class AAA Memphis, he slashed .275/.291/.496 in his 140 plate appearances. The Memphis team won the Class AAA championship thanks to Thomas, who had a three-run home run and a triple in the title game.
2019: After gaining experience in the Arizona Fall League, Thomas began the season at Memphis. His OPS was in the .800s again — he slashed .268/.352/.460 while hitting 10 home runs with 11 steals in 75 games.
And Cards fans probably recall his limited-but-timely hitting for St. Louis. He had 44 plate appearances before his season-ending hand injury (he’s fully recovered), and he hit .316. His on-base percentage was .409 with a .684 slugging percentage (4 home runs).
And he’s got a glove.
“I think for all the outfielders, they’re all coming in with a chance to make an impression,” Girsch said, “and I think Lane made a great impression in his limited time in the big leagues last year. We know he’s an athlete, we know he can play defense.
“It’s more just continuing to evolve as a hitter and with his approach. Making good, hard contact consistently and all those sorts of things — which really is true for any of our outfielders.”
Another name to consider is Justin Williams, who also is on the 40-man roster. But again, can he leapfrog three or four guys in three or four weeks of at-bats?
“He had basically a lost year last year, but in his brief time coming back to Memphis, swung the bat really well from the left side,” said John Mozeliak, the Cardinals president of baseball operations. “So you’re trying to understand what you have there before you decide is it time to move on or not.”
Last season at Winter WarmUp, Tommy Edman said that Lane Thomas “has probably one of the best power-and-speed combinations I’ve seen, either playing against or playing with.” It was incredibly high praise. Adds to Lane’s allure.
Now, there was much to like about Randy Arozarena, who the Cards traded to Tampa Bay. But with Arozarena gone, the onus is on Bader to ascend in center this spring. He’s confident — that’s his M.O., though. He’s been working out with Tommy Pham. And as Bader said at Winter Warm-Up, “Absolutely, I’m the starting center fielder. That’s my position, and I’m going to take it. That’s all there is to it. There is no sense in talking about it. I’m just looking forward to Day One, showing up, guns blazing, ready to go.”
It is his position, for now. He’s a Gold Glove finalist. But Bader’s leash should be shorter than any other Cardinal trying to prove himself in 2020.