(Long time reader here, just registered and started posting recently.. first attempt at a diary so bear with me)

I don't normally follow our minor league affiliates too closely, at least not since moving to St. Louis from Memphis, where I regularly attended Redbirds games during the Stubby Clapp era (in doing research for this diary I was pleased to see the Redbirds retired his jersey!), but with all of our recent problems it seems inevitable that someone be given a chance at a major league level.  

Thanks to azruavatar over at Future Redbirds, an excellent little blog for these kinds of purposes.

I think it's obvious to everyone that the Cardinal's needs lay in the outfield.  Duncan has established himself as an everyday LF, but Edmonds needs a platoon partner until he can(?) prove he's healthy, and we simply must have a RF who is more of an everday player than Schumaker/So/P-Dub.  Schumaker and Taguchi are bench players, and not so terrible in that respect, but they shouldn't be thrust into starting roles.  Plus their status on the team is redundant.  The real question is if we have a homegrown alternative better than Wilson.  It doesn't appear Encarnacion is going to be back anytime soon, as his current average most resembles a good golf score.

Outfielders potentially worth a call up:

RICK ANKIEL
It's hard to be impartial when reviewing Rick Ankiel's case.  We all want to see him succeed in a Cardinals jersey.  Over 94 at bats, Rick is averaging .266 with 7 home runs, 4 doubles, a triple, and 27 at bats.  In yesterdays Memphis game against Omaha he stole his first base of the season, going 1-for-3 with a walk in the game.  The obvious downside is that it's only his 5th walk of the season.  His splits versus left handed pitching aren't that stellar either, and with even the most mediocre of left handers looking like Cy Young against our Cardinals, this could be a problem.  Only 1 of his 7 homeruns have come against a lefty, and he's batting .222 against them.  I want to see Rick in a Cardinals uni as much as the next guy, but I don't think he's the answer right now.  If he can up his walks he would bear a look, but I don't think his "park it or strike out trying" approach is going to help us.  

RYAN LUDWICK
My question after reviewing Ludwick is why hasn't he been called up already?  He hasn't had much success in the majors in the past, and I don't necessarily think of him as a permanent solution, but the guy's on a tare right now.  .323 average, 7 homeruns, 7 doubles, 8 walks.  I'm of the opinion that a single streaking hitter could improve all of the bats around him.  And perhaps more importantly, he MASHES lefties.  He has a .357 average against left handed pitching.  Again, I don't think he's a permanent solution, but if I were the Cardinal's brain trust he'd be on a Greyhound to St. Louis today.

JOHN RODRIGUEZ
He's a familiar face to us, and has quite a fan following here on VEB.  The fact is he's playing pretty miserably in Memphis.  Batting .190 with 14 strikeouts in 58 at bats.  He stays in Memphis for the time being, for sure.

AMUARY MARTI
Currently playing for the Petroleros de Minatitlan, Marti is batting .326 with 5 dingers.  The 16 strikeouts is a turn off, but is balanced out by 14 walks. I'm not entirely sure how Mexican League pitching stacks up against AAA, but Marti could be worth a look as well.  He doesn't hit lefties as well as Ludwick, but they don't baffle him either.  

NICK STAVINOHA
Rounding out our selection of Memphis outfielders if Stavinoha.  Looking at the splits he absolutely crushes lefties (.458 average!) and is miserable against righties (.167 average)  He's young, and is a prospect I'd certainly like us to keep.  He still needs a lot of time to develop, but could be a starting outfielder of the future.

JOE MATHER
Where did this guy come from?  Playing for AA Springfield, he's hitting .326 (including .400 against lhp) with 11(!) home runs, with a 1.151 OPS.  Doesn't have an excellent track record, but I'd clear a spot for him on the Memphis roster and fast to see if he hits AAA as well as he's been mashing AA.