After missing the postseason three consecutive years for the first time in nearly two decades, the Cardinals shook up their major league coaching staff, hired 13 new pitching and hitting coaches in the minor leagues and finally found a huge bat (Marcell Ozuna) to hit third in the lineup. The Cardinals also have made key pitching signings and could add a closer. Missing the playoffs again could cost manager Mike Matheny his job. “There’s a lot to be excited about how this club looks today,” team President John Mozeliak said. USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale takes an inside look at the team. (*prospect)
Catcher
The Cardinals signed Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina to a three-year, $60 million contract last spring, and he showed again why he’ll be going into the Hall of Fame. Molina, 35, drove in a career-high 82 runs while throwing out 36% of the baserunners last year. His brilliance delayed Carson Kelly’s path to be an everyday catcher, but he’s ideal as Molina’s backup, enabling the Cardinals to rest Molina more frequently. Kelly hit .174 in his first stint in the big leagues, but the Cardinals expect him to drastically improve in 2018.
Depth chart: Molina, Carson Kelly, Francisco Pena, *Andrew Knizner, Steve Baron
First base
The Cardinals told Matt Carpenter to be prepared to be the everyday first baseman or be used as a super utility player who plays every day. Carpenter was bothered by nagging shoulder issues, badly struggled as the No. 3 hitter in the lineup, hitting .221 with 27 RBI in 45 games, but became invaluable in the leadoff role (.418 on-base percentage and .914 OPS). If Carpenter struggles at first base, Jose Martinez has shownhe’s more than capable of doing the job. Martinez likely will start somewhere at least five games a week to keep his bat in the lineup.
Depth chart: Carpenter, Martinez, Luke Voit, Jedd Gyorko, *Andrew Knizner
Second base
Kolten Wong finally emerged as the second baseman the Cardinals believed in when they gave him a five-year, $25.5 million contract extension two years ago. Wong hit a career-high .285 with a .788 OPS and made only two errors after the All-Star break. Yet he played in just 108 games because of arm and back injuries. The Cardinals also have capable backups in Greg Garcia and possibly Gyorko, if they find another third baseman. Garcia hit .294 with a .391 on-base percentage after the All-Star break and can play every position in the infield.
Depth chart: Wong, Garcia, Gyorko, Carpenter, *Breyvic Valera, *Max Schrock
Shortstop
Paul DeJong had a brilliant rookie season, finishing second in the rookie of the year balloting as he became the Cardinals’ everyday shortstop. He is more suited for second base but was superb offensively. He’ll be backed up by Garcia and Gyorko, with Yairo Munoz, acquired with Schrock from the Oakland Athletics in the December Stephen Piscotty trade, the Cardinals’ top shortstop prospect.
Depth chart: DeJong, *Munoz, *Tommy Edman
Third base
The Cardinals have engaged in trade talks for a third baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays for Josh Donaldson, the Baltimore Orioles for Manny Machado and even flirting with bringing in Tampa Bay Rays veteran third baseman Evan Longoria before he wound up with the San Francisco Giants. But barring a last-minute move, such as signing free agent Mike Moustakas, they’ll return Gyorko to the position. Gyorko hit .300 with 13 homers, 45 RBI and 16 doubles in the first half. Battling injuries, he hit .224 with seven homers, 22 RBI and five doubles in the second half. Garcia and Carpenter will back him up, with Darren Seferina their top third-base prospect.
Depth chart: Gyorko, Garcia, Carpenter, *Seferina
Left field
The Cardinals acquired All-Star outfielder Ozuna to be the power hitter they need in the middle of the order, and he will play left field. The Cardinals ranked seventh in the National League with 761 runs and eighth with a .760 OPS, which figures to change with the acquisition of Ozuna. Ozuna, 27, hit .312 with 37 home runs and 124 RBI last season, to go along with a .376 on-base percentage and a .548 slugging percentage. St. Louis will have prized outfield prospects Harrison Bader and Tyler O’Neill waiting in the wings.
Depth chart: Ozuna, Tommy Pham, Jose Martinez, *Bader, *O’Neill
Center field
Pham was finally given the chance to be an everyday outfielder, and he seized the opportunity. He was the Cardinals’ most valuable player and became a leader in the clubhouse. He did everything the Cardinals could have envisioned, hitting for average and power, stealing 25 bases and throwing out eight baserunners. If he struggles, the Cardinals could slide Dexter Fowler back to center, bring up the speedy Bader, who hit .283 with 20 homers and 55 RBI at Memphis.
Depth chart: Pham, Fowler, *Bader, *Oscar Mercado
Right field
Fowler agreed to move to right field after discussing the move with Mozeliak and Matheny. He struggled badly at the outset of his first season with St. Louis and lost his leadoff job. He performed well in the middle of the lineup and wound up with a career-high 18 homers. Fowler has four years remaining on his five-year, $82.5 million contract, guaranteeing him the most money on the team.
Depth chart: Fowler, Pham, Martinez, *Bader, *O’Neill
Rotation
The Cardinals took a huge step back last year, and pitching coach Derek Lilliquist paid the price, with the Cardinals turning to Mike Maddux. The Cardinals have a lot of depth, signing Miles Mikolas to fill out the rotation, which is bolstered by stud prospects Alex Reyes (recovering from Tommy John surgery), Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson, Ryan Helsley and Jordan Hicks. The Cardinals are anticipating that Reyes should be back by May, and Flaherty, Hudson and Helsley should be called up before the year ends. Carlos Martinez has emerged as the ace of the staff and, if he puts it all together, could be a Cy Young candidate. Veteran Adam Wainwright could be the key to the rotation. If he bounces back and is the Wainwright of old (he was 20-9 with a 2.38 ERA in 2014), the Cardinals could have a fabulous rotation.
Depth chart: RHP Martinez, RHP Wainwright, RHP Michael Wacha, RHP Luke Weaver, RHP Miles Mikolas, RHP Alex Reyes, *RHP Flaherty, *RHP Hudson, RHP Mike Mayers, *RHP Ryan Helsley, *LHP Austin Gomber, *RHP Jordan Hicks
Bullpen
The Cardinals no longer have closer Trevor Rosenthal or Seung Hwan Oh, who accounted for most of the team’s saves since 2014. They’ll have to find a new closer and have been in talks to sign free agent Greg Holland or Addison Reed. They signed Luke Gregerson, who saved 31 games for the Houston Astros in 2015, but he’s expected to be a setup man to tag-team with Tyler Lyons. Reyes could be their secret weapon when he returns from surgery. They could also ease in Hudson and Helsley into the bullpen before they become starters. If Wainwright struggles in the final season of his contract, he could also be a huge factor in the bullpen.
Depth chart: LHP Lyons, RHP Gregerson, RHP Matt Bowman, LHP Brett Cecil, RHP John Brebbia, RHP Reyes, RHP Sam Tuivailala, RHP John Gant, LHP Ryan Sheriff, *RHP Josh Lucas, RHP Rowan Wick, *RHP Arturo Reyes
Top 5 prospects
Excerpted from BaseballHQ.com’s 2018 Minor League Baseball Analyst. To order: http://www.baseballhq.com/minor-league-baseball-analyst
1. Alex Reyes, RHP: Reyes, 23, missed 2017 with elbow surgery. His fastball sits in the mid- to upper 90s, while a 12-6 power curveball gives him the tools to dominate. His changeup needs to improve in order to reach his potential as a No. 1 starter. Reyes should be healthy for spring training but might start in the Cardinals bullpen to build strength.
2. Jack Flaherty, RHP: An uptick in Flaherty’s fastball velocity fueled an impressive breakout (2.18 ERA across Class AA and AAA) that earned him five major league starts. Flaherty, 22, mixes in a hard slider with a changeup and threw more strikes in 2017, which gives him a chance to be a No. 2 starter.
3. Carson Kelly, C: Kelly, 23, is a premium defender who had his best season as a pro, hitting .283 with 10 home runs at Class AAA. He has a cannon arm, but his power is likely to settle in the 12-15 homer range. With Yadier Molina around, his short-term impact is minimal.
4. Tyler O’Neill, OF: Traded by Seattle in July, O’Neill 22, hit 31 home runs in 2017 and has the best raw power in the system. His ultra-aggressive plate approach resulted in a .246 batting average with 151 strikeouts at Class AAA, where he’ll likely return to start 2018.
5. Jose Adolis Garcia, OF: Garcia had a solid pro debut, hitting .290 between Class AA and AAA. The 24-year-old has plus speed and power with an aggressive plate approach and quick bat. He struggles against off-speed stuff but has the tools to be an everyday right fielder.