St. Louis Cardinals Prospect Report: Another Day on the Back Fields in Jupiter

Editors' Note: Players, and especially pitchers, often play for multiple different spring training "farm teams" during these back field contests, depending on throw days, rest, and who management wants to see on a given day. So don't put much weight on the current rosters.

Memphis 9 - Springfield 6

Memphis

• Jonathan Rodriguez (1B): 3-3, 2 R, 2 2B, RBI
• Charlie Tilson (CF): 3-3, R, HR, 3 RBI, K
• Matt Williams (DH): 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR,3 RBI
• John Church: 1 IP, 3 K
• Corey Baker: 2 IP, 4 K

Charles "Chuck" Tilson was #12 on rb's prospect list this offseason. He posted a career low K% and the his highest ISO as a pro, although any appearance of increased power in Springfield should be taken with a grain of salt (The Hoffpauir Corollary). I tend to be more optimistic than most toward Tilson, he was drafted straight out of high school from a cold weather state and also lost a year to a shoulder injury, so I think there is a chance the improved contact ability is real. The perfect world version of Tilson looks something like Jon Jay, enough contact ability to overcome a lack of both patience and power to become an above average hitter. He has enough raw speed to be an asset in CF and on the bases as well. If he never hits enough to be an MLB regular he can probably still carve out a role on a big league bench as a reserve outfielder with a plus glove and the ability to steal a base, sort of like Shane Robinson. He should be getting regular playing time in Memphis this season, trying to work his way onto the MEM-STL shuttle.

Jonathan Rodriguez seems to be settling into the Matt Hamilton/Xavier Scruggs role. He has displayed a pretty good bat at every stop in the minors, but he probably doesn't have quite enough offense to stick as a first baseman in the big leagues.

Springfield

• Harrison Bader (CF): 3-5, 3 R, 2B, 3B, HR, K
• Breyvic Valera (SS): 4-5, 2 RBI, K
• Jacob Evans: 4 IP, 2H, 4K
• Corey Littrell: 1 IP, K

Corey Littrell snuck onto rb's list at #21. He was the other guy who came over in the Kelly/Craig trade. Littrell leaned on his sinker to generate a lot of grounders and keep the ball in the park at Palm Beach last year. His best chance at a big league job may be in the bullpen, but the Cardinals usually let guys keep starting in the minors until they prove they can't or the big league roster situation forces a move to the pen. So Littrell will probably get a chance to demonstrate whether or not his ability to keep the ball on the ground and in the park is for real in the Springfield rotation this year.

Another Vader Bader Bomb.

• Danny Diekroeger (3B): 1-2, 2 RBI
• Allen Staton (3B): 2-2, 2B
• Ian McKinney: 4 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 K

Ian McKinney may ultimately end up in the bullpen, but like Littrell he will probably keep starting until he shows he can't or he runs out of runway. A small lefty drafted out of high school with a fastball that tops out around 90 and a nice breaking ball, he has been described as a store brand Rob Kaminsky.

Allen Staton hit 10 homers and put up splashy lines across both short-season leagues last year, before getting a very brief taste of the Florida State League. He turned 22 at the end of the year and players that old with 4 years of college experience are supposed to put up big numbers, especially at Johnson City where he spent most of the season, but he was also undrafted. He should get a crack at players his age this summer.

Peoria

• R.J. Dennard (1B): 2 -4, R, 2B, RBI
• Landon Beck: 3 IP, ER, BB, 2K

Landon Beck struck out better than a batter per inning in short-season ball the last two years. He made 3 starts for Peoria at the end of the season so we'll find out if his improved BB% last year will hold up in full-season ball.

The Cardinals prospects are scheduled to play the Mets' farm teams this afternoon.