Comments on: Eleven Cardinals Rookies Debuted in 2008

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:56:37 +0000

I will split out the cup of coffee guys next time around. Let me see what I can find out on the other criteria.

By: CariocaCardinal

CariocaCardinal — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:22:37 +0000

I have looked at the rookie issue before. I did it in regard to the Cardinals stating that their goal was to generate 3 major league players on avg from each draft. Unsure how they defined “major league player” I took it as players who lost rookie status (in order to avoid the cup of coffee guys). If I remember correctly they have been between 2-4 most years for players who fit this category. This year they had 5 meet that category but only 3 came from the Cardinal system (McClellen, Perez, and Mather — Washington and Barton did not).

However, even then we are still looking at quantity not quality. A better way might be to compare win shares contributed by rookies year to year or some other such quality metric.

Note to Brian: It would be great if you could someone from the Cardinals organization to comment on what criteria they use as to the 3 players a year from the draft or the other goal Luhnow has said of 2 a year from the Latin program becoming major leaguers. Is it merely making a major leaqgue appearance or is there some other criteria.

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:10:08 +0000

I wouldn’t count on Garcia in 2009. The last thing they would seem to want to do is rush a guy who hasn’t had MLB success back next September and put him right into the middle of what will hopefully be a pennant race. My money is on instructs if anything. I wouldn’t necessarily even expect him to play winter ball. More likely, he’ll get ready for 2010 is my forecast.

By: Oquendo11

Oquendo11 — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:57:53 +0000

Garcia in 2009?

Garcia had TJS in early September (the 8th), so a full twelve month rehab would put him on schedule for a Sept call-up with roaster expansion.

But, I understand the recovery time for relief pitchers is shorter than the standard 12 month recovery for a starter. Is there any chance Garcia would be activated as a reliever in July or August?

By: JumboShrimp

JumboShrimp — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:25:55 +0000

Barton’s speed/size combo work in his favor. He just needs a year at AAA to lift his game. He got promoted prematurely because of the Rule 5.

John Gall, Nick Stavinoha, and Steven Hill do not have the speed or defensive capability of Mather or Barton. This makes it difficult to project them onto a ML roster. The Cards are doing Hill (and Tony Cruz) favors by encouraging them to catch. If they can catch, their bats could enable them to reach the majors. If they cant catch, the odds seem long.

Gall and Hill have similarities. Modest sized right swinging first basement coming out of college, drafted in about the same round. As a LF/1B, Gall has capped at AAA.

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:09:21 +0000

Yes, I am working on the article to handicap the odds of potential 2009 callups. A lot will depend on the stability of the initial roster. Looking back, I found several years where only one rookie pitcher or position player debuted all season long. (another article coming…)

By: JumboShrimp

JumboShrimp — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 15:05:50 +0000

Who is at Memphis who could be in a position to earn a debut callup in 2009? Anderson, Freese, Rasmus, Jay, Robinson, Walters, Todd, Mortensen, and even Salas, Gregerson, Greene, Hoffpauir, Martinez.

More Cardinals draftees have risen to AAA and in so doing provide a larger pool on which to draw. The metric of “years pro” among AAA players during the TLR years should show a change.