All posts by Brian Walton

Brian Walton runs The Cardinal Nation, covering the St. Louis Cardinals and minor league system.

Cardinals organization roster matrix: 2011 regular season

NOTE: This version of the roster matrix is no longer current. It reflects the 2011 changes from the end of spring training until the start of short-season ball. It should now be considered a historical reference document. For the active roster matrix starting with 2011 short-season play, click here.

With the full-season minor league schedule underway, it is time for another refresh of the St. Louis Cardinals system roster matrix. This version will reflect all changes made from the start of the 2011 regular season. The previous matrix reflects the rosters at the conclusion of the spring camp.

If you are new to the blog and not familiar with the Cardinals organization roster matrix, here is quick summary:

As the 2011 regular season opened, the St. Louis Cardinals had 276 players under contract from top to bottom, including a full 40-man roster. The matrix places each one by position at his current assigned level in the system or his placement at the end of last season whichever is most recent. It is kept updated daily or as transactions occur.

Nowhere else will you find this current and comprehensive single-page view of the entire Cardinals organization.

Don’t be concerned about the order of the players’ names within a team. It doesn’t signify anything.

The players on the 40-man roster are called out in bold.

Full team rosters and player profiles at The Cardinal Nation

Remember that to get detailed profile information on every single one of these 276 Cardinals players, simply check out their free player profiles freshly updated now at The Cardinal Nation.com / Scout.com. You can see bios, photos, videos, articles, news items, links to current season and career stats and much more – everything you need to know about a player in one place.

Click on the following links to be taken to one of the nine team pages at The Cardinal Nation:

Full-season clubs

St. Louis Cardinals
Memphis Redbirds
Springfield Cardinals
Palm Beach Cardinals
Quad Cities River Bandits

Short-season clubs

Batavia Muckdogs
Johnson City Cardinals
Gulf Coast League Cardinals
Dominican Summer League Cardinals

Once there, just click on a player’s name to be taken to his individual profile page. For example, here is Shelby Miller’s profile.

Looking ahead and back

Now that you’ve found this page once, remember one of three ways to get back here. Bookmark the page, type “Roster Matrix” in the dark blue search box at the upper right or use the dropdown menu at the top of the page: “Players/Staff” > “Depth Charts/Roster Matrix”.

For details behind past rosters and transactions, check out the earlier versions of the Cardinals organization roster matrix as follows.

Link to previous matrices: Jan–March 2009, April 2009, May 2009, June 2009, July 2009-February 2010, Spring camp 2010, Opening season 2010, First half 2010, Short-season 2010, 2010-11 Off-season, 2011 spring training

Transactions

4/7: New matrix. Organization total: 276 players.

4/7: Memphis LHR Tyler Norrick released. New total: 275 players.

4/10: OF Adam Melker from EST to PB.

4/11: OF D’Marcus Ingram onto PB suspended list. LHP Daniel Calhoun off PB DL. RHP Arquimedes Nieto onto PB DL. OF Oscar Taveras onto QC DL. OF Virgil Hill from EST to QC.

4/13: STL RPs Brian Tallet and Bryan Augenstein onto 15-day DL. RHRs Eduardo Sanchez and Fernando Salas from Mem to StL. RHR Cory Rauschenberger from Spr to Mem. RHR Victor Marte acquired from Kansas City (Omaha). LHR Nick Greenwood and RHR Jose Rada from PB to Spr. RHR Ricky Martinez from EST to PB. New total: 276 players.

4/14: LHR Samuel Freeman from Spr DL to PB. RHR Jared Bradford off PB DL. RHR Ricky Martinez from PB to EST.

4/15: Spr C Steven Hill onto DL. Spr C Charles Cutler off DL.

4/17: Mem OFs Shane Robinson and Andrew Brown onto DL. OF Jim Rapoport and IF Freddie Bynum off DL. PB RHR Jared Bradford released. RHP Cale Johnson from EST to PB. New total: 275 players.

4/18: RHP Cale Johnson from PB to EST. 1B Xavier Scruggs off Spr DL to PB.

4/19: OF Aaron Luna from Spr to Mem. IF/OF Eric Duncan signed to minor league contract and assigned to Spr. 2B Skip Schumaker and OF Allen Craig onto StL DL. 1B Mark Hamilton from Mem to StL. IF Nick Punto off StL DL. RHR Adam Reifer onto Mem DL. RHR Pete Parise off Mem DL. OF Jarred Bogany to PB DL. OF Ryde Rodriguez off PB DL. New total: 276 players.

4/22: RHR Brett Zawacki to Spr DL. RHR Jesse Simpson from PB to Spr. LHR Tyler Lyons from EST to PB.

4/24: Six players released from EST: IFs Luis Pimentel, Wader Perez, Wilfred Vivas, RHPs Deimer Bier and Amaury Castillo and LHP Adriano Uribe. New total: 270 players.

4/25: OF Andrew Brown off Mem DL. OF Daryl Jones onto Mem DL.

4/28: 1B Phil Cerreto to PB DL. LHP Hector Hernandez from EST to PB. RHP Chris Corrigan from QC to PB. RHP Cale Johnson from EST to QC. 1B Victor Sanchez from QC to EST. IF Romulo Ruiz from EST to QC.

4/29: LHP Hector Hernandez returned to EST from PB.

4/30: OF Oscar Taveras off QC DL. OF Michael Swinson placed on QC DL. RHR Casey Mulligan onto Spr DL. RHR Brett Zawacki off Spr DL.

5/1: OF Virgil Hill from QC to EST. OF Chris Edmondson from EST to QC.

5/2: StL 3B David Freese onto 15-day DL. OF Allen Craig off DL.

5/4: OF Kyle Conley from QC to PB. RHP Andrew Moss released from QC. IF Starlin Rodriguez and LHP Ryan Copeland from EST to QC. New total: 269 players.

5/5-7: RHS Carlos Martinez from EST to QC. RHS Jordan Swagerty from QC to PB. RHS Maikel Cleto, LHR Samuel Freeman, IF Alan Ahmady from PB to Spr. OF Tyler Henley, LHR Ryan Kulik released from Spr. RHR Jose Rada onto Spr DL. IF Matt Valaika released from EST. OF Ryde Rodriguez released from PB. IF Phil Cerreto off PB DL. OF D’Marcus Ingram off PB SL. New total: 265 players.

5/10: LHR Rich Rundles onto Mem DL.

5/11: LHP Nick Additon from Spr to Mem. C Robert Stock off QC DL. C Juan Castillo from QC to PB. C Audry Perez from PB to Spr. OF Oscar Taveras onto QC DL. OF Michael Swinson off QC DL. IF Phil Cerreto onto PB DL. C Kleininger Teran from EST to QC DL.

5/12: OF Virgil Hill from EST to QC. QC OF Frederick Parejo released. OF Jarred Bogany off PB DL. OF Adam Melker onto PB DL. C Charles Cutler onto Spr TI list. RHR Jose Rada off Spr DL. RHR Brett Zawacki from Spr to PB. RHS David Kopp off Spr DL. New total: 264 players.

5/13: IF Freddie Bynum onto Mem DL. OF Daryl Jones off Mem DL.

5/14: OF Tommy Pham onto Spr DL. C Charles Cutler off Spr TI list.

5/16: RHR Jess Todd claimed off waivers from NYY and optioned to Mem. RHR Bryan Augenstein moved from 15-day to 60-day DL. New total: 265 players.

5/18: IF Nick Punto to StL DL. SS Pete Kozma from Mem to StL. RHR Blake King from Mem to Spr. Spr RHR Matt Frevert released. New total: 264 players.

5/19: RHR Chase Reid from PB to Spr. RHR Keith Butler from QC to PB. RHS Deryk Hooker into Spr DL. 1B Mark Hamilton from StL to Mem. LHR Brian Tallet off StL DL.

5/20: RHR Aidan Lucas from EST to QC.

5/21: IF Packy Elkins from QC to PB. IFs Romulo Ruiz, Yunier Castillo from QC to EST. IFs Colin Walsh, Victor Sanchez, Ronny Gil from EST to QC. PB IF Ronald Ramirez released. C Luis De La Cruz off PB DL. RHP Aaron Terry onto PB DL. New total: 263 players.

5/22: RHP Chris Corrigan onto PB DL.

5/23: C Gerald Laird to StL DL. 2B Skip Schumaker off StL DL. C Tony Cruz from Mem to StL. RHR Mitchell Boggs from StL to Mem. RHP Brian Broderick returned from Washington (Rule 5) and assigned to Mem. C Nick Derba from Spr to Mem. OF Tommy Pham off Spr DL. LHR Ryan Copeland to QC DL. LHR Dean Kiekhefer from EST to QC. New total: 264 players.

5/24: 3B Zack Cox from PB to Spr. 3B Niko Vasquez from Spr to PB. RHP Wilson Matos released. New total: 263 players.

5/25: Mem RHR Jason Buursma released. C Steven Hill off Spr DL. C Charles Cutler onto Spr DL. New total: 262 players.

5/26: RHR Francisco Guzman released from EST. Spr RHR Blake King claimed off outright waivers by Houston. Mem OF Aaron Luna to TI list. RHP Angel Tapia from DSL to EST. IF Leandro Mateo signed, sent to EST. Three old RL players off DSL roster: Pedro Pena, Rosalin Rudecindo, Braulio Hiraldo. Ariel Gonzalez to DSL RL. Carlos Oraa to DSL DL. RHP Jackson Solarte released from DSL.  New total: 257 players.

5/27: RHR Aaron Terry off PB DL. Mem RHS P.J. Walters outrighted off 40-man. DSL RHP Jefferson Segundo released. Four DSL signings: RHP Hector Salazar, C Luis Cruz, CIF Alejandro Mejia, OF Carlos Torres. New total: 260 players.

5/29: Mem LHR Rich Rundles released. Mem RHR Pete Parise onto DL. Mem OF Aaron Luna off TI list. New total: 259 players.

5/30: QC OF Nick Longmire onto DL. QC C Kleininger Teran off DL.

6/1: PB IF Packy Elkins to DL. IF Ted Obregon from EST to PB. PB OF Jarred Bogany released. PB OF Adam Melker off DL. RHS Shelby Miller from PB to Spr. LHS Kevin Siegrist from QC to PB. Mem IF Ramon Vazquez released. Mem IF Freddie Bynum off DL. New total: 257 players.

6/2: RHS Lance Lynn from Mem to StL (added to 40-man). RHP Maikel Cleto from Spr to StL. RHS Kyle McClellan and OF Matt Holliday onto StL DL. Released LHP Hector Cardenas from EST. New total: 256 players.

6/3: RHP Maikel Cleto from StL to Spr. SS Pete Kozma from StL to Mem. 1B Mark Hamilton from Mem to StL. 3B Matt Carpenter from Mem to StL (added to 40-man). RHR Pete Parise off Mem DL.

6/4: IF Greg Garcia from QC to PB. IF Joey Bergman from EST to QC. IF Jose Garcia from Spr to Mem. From PB to Spr: RHR Jorge Rondon, C Travis Tartamella, IF Domnit Bolivar. From Spr to PB: UT Alan Ahmady, RHR Jesse Simpson.

6/5: C Charles Cutler off Spr DL. 1B Matt Adams onto Spr DL.

6/6: OF Tommy Pham onto Spr DL. OF D’Marcus Ingram from PB to Spr. RHR Chris Corrigan off PB DL.

6/9: RHP Ryan Copeland, OF Nick Longmire off QC DL. C Kleininger Teran onto QC DL. OF Lance Jeffries (10th round) signed. OF Pat Biserta released from EST.

6/10: RHP Mitchell Boggs from Mem to StL. RHS Lance Lynn from StL to Mem. Mem RHR Jess Todd outrighted.

6/12: OF Andrew Brown from Mem to StL and added to 40-man. OF Allen Craig to StL DL. OF Oscar Taveras off QC DL. OF Virgil Hill from QC to BAT (EST). C Jesus Montero to PB from EST. C Juan Castillo from PB to BAT (EST).

6/13: C Robert Stock from QC to PB. C Geoff Klein from EST to QC. C Jesus Montero from PB to JC (EST). OF Kyle Conley to PB DL. IF Packy Elkins onto PB DL.

26 drafted players signed.New total: 282 players.

OF Nick Martini (7th rd.) to BAT. LHP Danny Miranda (8) to BAT. RHP Tyler Mills (9) to JC. RHP Seth Maness (11) to BAT. 1B Danny Stienstra (12) to Bat. C Kolby Byrd (13) to JC. SS Matt Williams (15) to JC. RHP Travis Miller (16) to BAT. LHP Kyle Held (18) to JC. LHP Nick Gillung (19) to JC. RHP Kyle Deese (23) to JC. LHP Jonathan Cornelius (24) to BAT. RHP Todd McInnis (25) to BAT. OF Gary Apelian (27) to JC. LHP Ryan Sherriff (28) to JC. RHP David Bergin (30) t0 JC. C Jonathan Keener (32) to JC. RHP Heath Wyatt (33) to JC. RHP Drew Madrigal (35) to BAT. C Casey Rasmus (36) to BAT. RHP Brad Watson (37) to JC. 3B Jeremy Patton (38) t0 BAT. LHP Tyler Melling (39) to GCL. 1B Michael Knox (41) to JC. RHP Brandon Creath (44) to GCL. RHP Casey Baker (49) to BAT.

6/15: RHS Kyle McClellan off StL DL. 3B Matt Carpenter from StL to Mem. FA SS Neal Pritchard signed, assigned to JC. New total: 283 players.

6/16: RHR Eduardo Sanchez onto StL DL. OF Matt Holliday off StL DL.

6/17: Signed FA LHP Adam Bileckyj to BAT. New total: 284 players.

6/18: IF Pete Kozma from Mem to StL. RHP Maikel Cleto from Spr to StL. IF Tyler Greene and 1B Mark Hamilton from StL to Mem.

6/20: RHR Brett Zawacki from PB to Spr. RHR Francisco Samuel off Mem DL to PB.

6/21: 1B Albert Pujols to StL DL. 1B Mark Hamilton from Mem to StL.

6/22: StL RHR Miguel Batista released. RHP Lance Lynn from Mem to StL. New total 283.

6/23: RHS David Kopp off 40-man. LHR Raul Valdes onto 40-man, from Mem to StL. RHP Maikel Cleto from StL to Mem. RHP Bryan Augenstein off StL DL, optioned to Mem.

Signed player update: New total 288 players.

P Drew Madrigal (35th- BAT) retired. C Adam Ehrlich (6th) signed, to GCL. 2B Tyler Rahmatulla (34th) signed, to JC. FA RHPs Eric Binder, Logan Billbrough signed, to JC.

The players in Extended Spring Training are listed in two groups. The first, called “old,” are the holdovers from regular camp. The “new” players arrived in early April.

At the end is a group of currently inactive and unassigned players.

There will be a new roster matrix once the June draft has passed and short season ball begins.

The St. Louis Cardinals Organization Roster Matrix (effective 06/22/11)

25-man (25+7) 40-man (40+2)
SP RP C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
C Carpenter Franklin Molina Pujols (DL)
 Schumaker
 Theriot Freese (DL)
 Holliday
Lohse Valdes (L)
 Laird (DL)
 Hamilton
 Descalso Kozma Punto (DL)
 Berkman
Westbrook Sanchez (DL)
 T Cruz



Rasmus
Wainwright (60DL) Motte




Jay
Ja Garcia (L) Tallet (L)




Craig (DL)
McClellan
 T Miller (L)




A Brown

Lynn





Salas
Boggs

Memphis (24+3)
SP RP C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Augenstein
 Marte
 Anderson
Bynum Solano
 M Carpenter Chambers
Walters Rauschenberger Derba Jo Garcia T Greene
 Robinson (DL)
Dickson Parise
 Stavinoha
Ottavino Reifer (DL)
 Jones
Additon (L) Todd Luna
Cleto Fick Rapoport
Broderick
Cazana (Mex)
Springfield (24+7)
SP RP C 1B 2B SS 3B OF

Delgado (DL) Cutler Adams (DL) R Jackson Cox Pham (DL)
Gorgen (DL) Mulligan (DL) S Hill Bolivar Curtis Swauger
McGregor (DL) Greenwood (L) A Perez Duncan Castellanos
Thomas Rada Tartamella Ingram
Kopp
 Reid
Hooker (DL) Freeman (L)
Blazek Ri Castillo
S Miller Rondon
Schneider
Zawacki
Palm Beach (25+4)
SP RP C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Fornataro Calhoun (L) L DeLaCruz Cerreto (DL) Lu Mateo Elkins N Vasquez
 Lara
Swagerty Simpson Stock Scruggs Obregon Ahmady Melker
J Smith Corrigan G Garcia Conley (DL)
Siegrist (L) Lyons (L) R Rosario
Kelly Nieto (DL)
Gast (L) Pichardo (DL)
Butler
Terry
Samuel
Quad Cities (25+4)
SP RP C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Russell De Jesus Espinoza (DL) V Sanchez Bergman Gil J Rodriguez Longmire
C Martinez Kiekhefer (L) Stanley Stidham (DL) Edmondson
Bibona (L DL) Corpas Klein S Rodriguez Swinson
Blair C Johnson Teran (DL) Walsh Taveras
A Ferrara (L) Wright (L)
Rosenthal Copeland (L)
Whiting Lucas
Ext Spr old (21+5)
SP RP C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Almarante Edwards (L) J Castillo D Medina Y Castillo R DeLaCruz S Ramos
Jenkins Nadeau (L I) Moscatel C Valera O’Neill
H Hernandez (L) Bittle Montero Tuivailala Williams (I)
Daugherty (L) R Martinez R Ruiz V Hill
Revesz (L I)
Montanez (I)
Mijares (L I)
Watson (L)
Benes
Ext Spr new (36)
SP RP C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Santana Avendano A Garcia Washington Vargas Martin H Garcia Rbto Reyes
S Lopez A Toribio B Valera Argenal
Paulino Nazario (L) L Perez Le Mateo Encarnacion
Ulacio Canache Velazco Dodd
B Martinez B Freeman (L) Bryant
Villanueva (L) Aguilar Ro Castillo
Pasen J Lucas
A Tapia Mendoza
M DeLaCruz (L)
Brand
Nuernberg
DeLeon
E Hiraldo
DSL (35+4)
SP RP C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Bautista A DeLaCruz (L) Baez Mejia Rblys Reyes Pina R Garcia Araujo
Escudero A Gonzalez (RL) J Gomez R Medina Agustin Capellan
Perdomo Ceballo L Cruz Barbuena Celestino
S Garcia Gerdel J Pena
Oraa (DL) Planchart Jo Martinez
DeLosSantos Villegas D Diaz
Jh Polanco JC DeLaCruz (RL) Acevedo
Salazar F Gonzalez Torres
D Rodriguez (L RL)
De Aguas (L)
F Flores
Almeida
I Brito
Unassigned (6)
P P C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
M Harris (MIL) Patterson (RL) P Vasquez (RL)
Eager (RL) Novak (RL)
Madrigal (35)


2011 draft (round)
Batavia (11)
P P C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Miranda (L 8th) Bileckyj (L FA) Ca Rasmus (36) Stienstra (12) Patton (38) Martini (7)
Maness (11)
Tra Miller (16)
Cornelius (L 24)
McInnis (25)
Baker (49)
Johnson City (17)
P P C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Mills (9) Wyatt (33) Byrd (13) Knox (41) Rahmatulla (34) M Williams (15) Apelian (27)
Hald (L 18) Watson (37) Keener (32) Pritchard (FA)
Gillung (L 19) Billbrough (FA)
Deese (23) Binder (FA)
Sherriff (L 28)
Bergin (30)
Gulf Coast (4)
P P C 1B 2B SS 3B OF
Melling (L 39) Ehrlich (6) Jeffries (10)
Creath (44)

Codes

(DL): injured – on the disabled list
(I): injured and assigned to Extended Spring Training
(TI): temporary inactive list
(SL): suspended list
(RL): restricted list
(MIL): military list
(TO): tryout player not under contract
(L) left-handed pitcher
bold: on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster
(#+#) number of active players on the roster plus number of inactive/not under contract (DL+I+TI+SL+RL+MIL+TO) players

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Biggest cost increase to attend a Cardinals game since 2008

With the start of another new season, it is again time to analyze the annual Fan Cost Index (FCI)*, which compares the price for a family of four to attend a major league baseball game across the 30 franchises.

Comparable to their general position in annual payroll rankings, the St. Louis Cardinals hang near the bottom of the top third of the clubs. In 2011, they come in at number eight, up from ninth last year and 10th in 2009.

The club’s FCI of $223.18 represents an upturn of 3.1 percent compared to 2010. It is the eighth increase in the last nine years and most since a 3.8 percent increase in 2008.




Busch III Busch II


2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
StL FCI $223.18 $216.56 $214.72 $217.28 $209.23 $207.21 $177.66 $170.45 $164.04
StL YTY 3.1% 0.9% -1.2% 3.8% 0.8% 10.6% 4.2% 0.9% 6.6%
MLB rank 8 9 10 7 7 4 9 9 8

MLB avg. $197.35 $194.98 $196.89 $191.75 $176.55 $171.19 $164.43 $155.52 $148.66
MLB YTY 2.0% -0.7% 3.2% 8.3% 3.8% 4.1% 5.6% 2.0% 3.3%

#1 FCI $339.01 $334.78 $410.88 $320.71 $313.83 $287.84 $276.34 $263.09 $248.44
Team Boston Boston Yankees Boston Boston Boston Boston Boston Boston

#30 FCI $120.96 $115.24 $114.24 $136.91 $123.42 $120.35 $119.85 $108.83 $94.62
Team Arizona Arizona Arizona TB KC KC KC Montreal Montreal

Overall, Cardinals FCIs have grown less than eight percent in total since the large increase incurred in conjunction with the new ballpark opening in 2006. In fact, this year’s average ticket price of $31.17 is not quite even $1.50 higher than the team’s average ticket price of $29.78 in 2006. This bears further watching, however. With the new dynamic pricing structure being implemented in 2011, ticket prices should show greater volatility than ever before.

Across MLB, the 1.2 percent ticket increase this year is the smallest jump since the FCI’s 1991 inception after the previous low of 1.5 percent one year ago. That may have something to do with the fact that overall attendance in MLB was down 0.4 percent in 2010 on the heels of a six percent decline the year prior.

The Boston Red Sox rank first in MLB in average ticket price at $53.38 and lead in the FCI as well for the second consecutive year and eighth time in the last nine years. Their American League East rivals, the New York Yankees, are right behind.

The average FCI across MLB of $197.35 represents a 2.0 percent increase compared to last year. The best value in the game is the $120.96 it takes to see the Arizona Diamondbacks, lowest for the third year in a row.

The other teams in the NL Central rank as follows: Chicago Cubs (third, down from second), Houston Astros (ninth, up from 12th), both with above average FCIs. The other three reside in the bottom third of MLB clubs: Cincinnati Reds (21st, up from 25th), Milwaukee Brewers (23rd, same as 2010) and Pittsburgh Pirates (28th, same as in 2010).

* The FCI, developed by Team Marketing Report, is made up of the prices of two adult and two child average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, parking for one car, two game programs and two least expensive, adult-size adjustable caps.

2011 Avg ticket Beer Soft drink Hot dog Parking Program Cap FCI
StL $31.17 $6.75 $5.25 $4.25 $10.00 $2.50 $16.00 $223.18
MLB $26.91 $5.81 $3.59 $3.88 $12.95 $3.28 $14.35 $197.35

Not every group of four would spend this much money, but it provides a consistent point of comparison across 30 teams over time.

[poll id=”78″]

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Cardinals win-loss streaks signal season result

Though it is still very early in the 2011 season, the St. Louis Cardinals’ 1-3 record out of the gate is concerning many. The formula seems similar to the 2010 non-playoff season in that the pitching has been generally good, but is not being given much of a margin for error by a sputtering offense. Baserunning and defense still have room to improve.

One area in which it is too soon to draw any conclusions is winning and losing streaks, but this post will set the stage for whatever occurs ahead.

A comment made on The Cardinal Nation message board encouraged me to complete some analysis I presented in interim form last summer. I looked at Cardinals winning and losing streaks over the Tony La Russa years in St. Louis as defined by three or more consecutive games with the same outcome.

The data indicates that during seasons in which there were more losing skids than winning streaks, St. Louis missed the post-season each time. 2010 continued that pattern.

St. Louis Cardinals, number of winning and losing streaks, 1996-2010

# Winning streaks # Losing streaks Playoffs
2010 8 10
2009 12 9 Yes
2008 10 8
2007 10 9
2006 13 9 Yes
2005 12 3 Yes
2004 16 5 Yes
2003 8 12
2002 14 6 Yes
2001 10 8 Yes
2000 15 7 Yes
1999 8 12
1998 10 13
1997 7 11
1996 11 10 Yes

In only one of La Russa’s 15 years did his club have fewer winning streaks than 2010’s eight. Last year’s team did manufacture their best stretch of baseball since 2004 when they took eight games in a row starting just before the All-Star break.

Yet, the 2010 Cardinals almost always followed the good with the bad. Excluding the season-ending win streak, a losing stretch immediately followed a win streak in five of the seven possible chances last season.  In other words, even when the club established some momentum, they could not sustain it.

St. Louis Cardinals, winning streaks by number of games, 1996-2010

Winning streaks 11G 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 Total
2010 1 2 1 4 8
2009 5 2 5 12
2008 1 2 2 5 10
2007 2 2 6 10
2006 1 1 4 7 13
2005 1 3 3 5 12
2004 1 1 1 2 4 1 6 16
2003 1 1 2 4 8
2002 1 1 5 4 3 14
2001 1 1 1 1 2 1 3 10
2000 1 2 1 3 8 15
1999 2 6 8
1998 1 2 3 4 10
1997 2 1 4 7
1996 1 2 4 4 11

In terms of losing stretches, the 2010 Cardinals had a double-digit quantity of them for only the second time since 1999. Their longest losing streak last year was five games, which occurred twice, both in the second half of August as the season slipped away.

St. Louis Cardinals, losing streaks by number of games, 1996-2010

Losing streaks 11G 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 Total
2010 2 1 7 10
2009 1 8 9
2008 1 1 1 5 8
2007 1 3 1 4 9
2006 2 1 1 5 9
2005 3 3
2004 1 4 5
2003 1 4 7 12
2002 1 1 2 2 6
2001 1 3 4 8
2000 1 6 7
1999 1 1 1 9 12
1998 1 4 8 13
1997 1 1 2 5 2 11
1996 1 1 8 10

As noted above, the 2011 Cardinals have yet to post a streak of three consecutive outcomes of any type at this point. Couple the team’s bumpy start with the reality that they have just one stopper this season, Chris Carpenter, instead of two with Adam Wainwright out, and the early concern may be justified. This underlines the importance of the offense getting itself untracked, removing some pressure from the pitching staff.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 04/03

Highlights from Sunday’s final St. Louis Cardinals minor league spring training games from Jupiter, Florida.

Following are the highlights from the 18th and final day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Sunday, April 3. In a camp day, Memphis took on Springfield while Palm Beach opposed Quad Cities. The Redbirds and River Bandits each won.

The 2-2 result means the Cardinals system finished the spring with a combined 38-28-10 record. That includes a sharp 24-14-6 mark against external competition, the Marlins and Mets.

Today’s photo is of the Player of the Day, Memphis catcher Tony Cruz. He reached base every time, with a double, homer and walk in three plate appearances. The 40-man player scored twice and plated two. Honorable mention to Quad Cities hurlers Justin Smith, Andrew Moss and Keith Butler as they spun a shutout against Palm Beach.

The Cardinal Nation subscribers can see all four full-season rosters as camp breaks on Monday as well as players remaining behind for Extended Spring Training. They will be joined by 42 more players in EST. Again, TCN subscribers can view all the additional EST players’ names here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

A special thanks to the Cardinals for providing game stats all spring long.

Memphis (8-5-4) 4, Springfield (6-7-4) 3

Memphis pitching

Lance Lynn fanned nine Cardinals over seven innings. The big righty yielded three runs on four hits over seven innings. Lynn walked no one.

Eduardo Sanchez fanned one during his scoreless frame. Sanchez is our fifth-ranked Cardinals prospect for 2011.

Cory Rauschenberger gave up a hit and fanned one in his run-free frame.

Memphis hitting

Andrew Brown keeps on hitting, going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and a run scored.

Tony Cruz doubled, homered and walked in three plate appearances. The catcher scored twice and drove in two.

Pete Kozma singled and doubled, driving in one in two PAs.

Donovan Solano singled in three at-bats and scored one run.

Ramon Vazquez singled in two at-bats and collected an RBI.

Springfield pitching

Kevin Thomas started and yielded two runs in 5 1/3 innings. He gave up five hits and walk and fanned three.

Ramon Delgado fanned two in two scoreless, hitless and walkless innings.

Brett Zawacki had a rough 1/3 inning outing, as he allowed two hits and a walk. Two of them scored.

Casey Mulligan gave up a hit and a walk without getting an out.

Springfield hitting

Aaron Luna had a home run and two RBI in three at-bats.

Nick Derba tripled in three at-bats.

Chris Swauger singled in three at-bats. He scored and drove in one.

Xavier Scruggs doubled and scored in four at-bats.

Quad Cities (8-8-2) 8, Palm Beach (11-7) 0

Palm Beach pitching

John Gast was spanked for five earned runs in four innings. The lefty allowed four hits, three walks and fanned three.

Joe Kelly, like Gast a MLB camp invitee, yielded three runs in two innings on four hits and a walk.

Jose Rada pitched a perfect inning.

Jorge Rondon walked one and fanned two in a scoreless frame.

Hector Corpas worked a quiet inning.

Palm Beach hitting

Alan Ahmady was on base twice with a single and walk in two plate appearances.

Luis Mateo, Audry Perez and Zack Cox each had one hit.

Quad Cities pitching

Justin Smith gave up just one hit and three walks in 4 2/3 scoreless. He fanned seven.

Andrew Moss followed with 3 1/3 shutout frames of his own. Moss allowed three hits and a walk and struck out three.

Keith Butler had a scoreless inning, fanning one.

Quad Cities hitting

Nick Longmire singled and doubled in four PAs. He scored one run.

Victor Sanchez doubled twice and walked in four plate appearances. He scored twice.

Jonathan Rodriguez was also on base three times in four PAs with a double and a pair of walks. He scored twice.

Cody Stanley singled and drove in one in three at-bats.

Frederick Parejo singled and walked in four PAs. The outfielder scored one run.

Yunier Castillo had a single in four at-bats and drove in two.

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Jaime Garcia’s Sunday gem in historical context

On Sunday, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jaime Garcia helped his club notch its first win of the season as he tossed a four-hit complete game shutout while striking out a career-high nine San Diego Padres. Garcia walked two.

The team needed the win to avoid being swept at home and starting 0-3 for the first time since 2007. Despite the momentum of the 2006 World Championship, 2007 became a non-playoff year.

Garcia’s gem was fittingly the ninth nine-or-more strikeout game posted by a Cardinals pitcher in the first three games of the season (since 1920). Not surprisingly, Hall of Famer Bob Gibson logged five of the first eight.

St. Louis Cardinals pitchers with nine+ strikeouts in first three games of the season (since 1920)

Rk Player Date Opp Rslt App,Dec IP H R ER BB SO HR IBB HBP SH SF GDP SB CS BK WP
1 Bob Gibson 4/11/1967 SFG W 6-0 SHO9 ,W 9 5 0 0 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2 Bob Gibson 4/7/1975 MON L 4-8 GS-8 ,L 8 9 5 5 5 12 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1
3 Curt Simmons 4/14/1962 CHC W 7-4 CG 9 ,W 9 7 4 2 2 11 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 1
T4 Bob Gibson 4/8/1969 PIT L 2-6 GS-9 9 9 2 2 0 10 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
T4 Bob Gibson 4/15/1966 PIT W 9-2 CG 9 ,W 9 6 2 2 2 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
T6 Joaquin Andujar 4/9/1983 NYM W 5-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
T6 Pete Vuckovich 4/10/1980 PIT W 1-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 9 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 1
T6 Bob Gibson 4/8/1970 MON W 7-2 GS-8 ,W 8 5 2 2 4 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0
T6 Jaime Garcia 4/3/2011 SDP W 2-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 2 9 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0

It was the 49th time a Cardinals pitcher threw a shutout while fanning at least nine and allowing four hits or less at any time of the season. Garcia’s teammate Chris Carpenter had the last four, three during his 2005 Cy Young Award season. Carp is second all-time to Gibson’s 12.

St. Louis Cardinals pitchers, shutout, nine+ strikeouts, allowing four hits or less (since 1920)

# Player Date Opp Rslt App,Dec IP H R ER BB SO HR IBB HBP SH SF GDP SB CS BK WP
1 Jaime Garcia 4/3/2011 SDP W 2-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 2 9 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0
2 Chris Carpenter 9/7/2009 MIL W 3-0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 2 10 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
3 Chris Carpenter 7/17/2005 HOU W 3-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
4 Chris Carpenter 6/25/2005 PIT W 8-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
5 Chris Carpenter 6/14/2005 TOR W 7-0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 1 10 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
6 Matt Morris 9/3/2004 LAD W 3-0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Pat Hentgen 9/14/2000 CHC W 4-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 0 9 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
8 Darren Oliver 8/3/1999 SDP W 6-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 2 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
9 Jose Jimenez 7/5/1999 ARI W 1-0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
10 Todd Stottlemyre 5/15/1996 FLA W 6-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1
11 Joe Magrane 6/22/1990 CHC W 7-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 3 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1
12 Ken Hill 5/4/1989 LAD W 12-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 Jose DeLeon 9/6/1988 MON W 1-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
14 Joaquin Andujar 4/9/1983 NYM W 5-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
15 Pete Vuckovich 4/10/1980 PIT W 1-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 9 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 1
16 Pete Falcone 8/2/1976 PIT W 4-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 2 9 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
17 Bob Gibson 1974-06-24 (2) PIT W 4-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 3 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
18 Lynn McGlothen 5/7/1974 CIN W 1-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 3 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
19 Bob Gibson 8/28/1971 CIN W 4-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 13 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
20 Bob Gibson 8/14/1971 PIT W 11-0 SHO9 ,W 9 0 0 0 3 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
21 Bob Gibson 6/17/1970 SDP W 8-0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
22 Steve Carlton 5/11/1970 PHI W 3-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 1 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
23 Bob Gibson 8/28/1968 PIT W 8-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 3 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24 Bob Gibson 8/19/1968 PHI W 2-0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25 Steve Carlton 6/19/1968 CHC W 4-0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 0 9 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Rk Bob Gibson 6/15/1968 CIN W 2-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
# Player Date Opp Rslt App,Dec IP H R ER BB SO HR IBB HBP SH SF GDP SB CS BK WP
27 Dick Hughes 5/25/1967 ATL W 5-0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 0 9 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
28 Bob Gibson 5/2/1967 CIN W 5-0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 2 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
29 Bob Gibson 5/20/1964 CHC W 1-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
30 Ernie Broglio 6/8/1963 NYM W 4-0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 3 10 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
31 Ray Washburn 4/27/1963 LAD W 3-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
32 Ernie Broglio 9/29/1962 LAD W 2-0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 3 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0
33 Bob Gibson 1962-08-18 (2) NYM W 10-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 8 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
34 Bob Gibson 8/8/1962 PIT W 2-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 2 10 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
35 Bob Gibson 1961-05-21 (2) CHC W 3-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 4 11 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0
36 Ernie Broglio 7/15/1960 CHC W 6-0 SHO9 ,W 9 1 0 0 2 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
37 Ray Sadecki 6/15/1960 CIN W 6-0 SHO9 ,W 9 3 0 0 8 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
38 Murry Dickson 1956-08-19 (1) CHC W 6-0 SHO9 ,W 9 2 0 0 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
39 Harvey Haddix 6/16/1955 PIT W 5-0 9 4 0 0 2 9 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
40 Harvey Haddix 1954-06-13 (1) PIT W 5-0 9 3 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
41 Vinegar Bend Mizell 5/4/1953 PIT W 5-0 9 2 0 0 6 9 0 0 0 0 0 0
42 Vinegar Bend Mizell 6/21/1952 BSN W 9-0 SHO9 ,W 9 4 0 0 6 11 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
43 Mort Cooper 1944-05-28 (1) NYG W 8-0 9 3 0 0 3 10 0 0 0 0 0
44 Max Lanier 5/20/1944 NYG W 10-0 9 3 0 0 2 11 0 0 0 0 0
45 Mort Cooper 1942-09-20 (1) CHC W 1-0 9 4 0 0 1 9 0 0 1 0 0
46 Lefty Sunkel 7/26/1939 NYG W 10-0 9 2 0 0 2 9 0 0 0 0 1
47 Bob Bowman 1939-07-23 (1) BRO W 12-0 9 3 0 0 1 11 0 0 0 0 0
48 Dizzy Dean 1936-09-24 (2) CIN W 2-0 6 4 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0
49 Dizzy Dean 1935-09-08 (1) PHI W 11-0 9 4 0 0 1 9 0 0 0 0 0

Thanks to researcher Tom Orf for the data tables.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 04/02

Following are the highlights from the 17th day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Saturday, April 2.

The Cardinals minor leaguers had their oddest split day of the spring. Memphis and Springfield played their Florida Marlins counterparts while Palm Beach and Quad Cities #1 took on the New York Mets A-ball squads. In addition, Quad Cities #2 stepped up in competition and opposed the Marlins A-Advanced team.

The 4-0-1 result was the best day of the spring for the Cardinals and their first undefeated afternoon. Only Springfield did not win though they pitched will in their tie.

The Cardinals system is now a combined 36-26-10 this spring and has guaranteed a winning Florida record. They finished with a sharp 24-14-6 mark against external competition, the Marlins and Mets.

Today’s photo is of the Player of the Day, Palm Beach starter Eric Fornataro. The 23-year-old right-hander yielded an unearned run in five innings. Fornataro allowed just three hits, walked no one and struck out three.

On Sunday, the Cardinals have their final spring action in a camp day. Memphis will against take on Springfield and Palm Beach will play Quad Cities. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

Memphis (7-5-4) 8, New Orleans 5

Memphis pitching

Brandon Dickson yielded all five New Orleans’ runs. In 5 2/3 innings, he gave up six hits and five walks. Our system Pitcher of the Year in 2010 struck out two.

Jason Buursma allowed just one hit in 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Lefty Rich Rundles also gave up just one hit in his inning.

Blake King was touched for a pair of hits but was unscored upon. The 40-man roster righty fanned one.

Memphis hitting

Nick Stavinoha had two singles and a double in five at-bats. He scored and collected one RBI.

Free agent signee Ramon Vazquez also singled twice and doubled but also walked in five plate appearances. The infielder scored twice.

Shane Robinson singled, doubled and scored in five ABs.

Another former free agent infielder, Freddie Bynum, had a pair of extra base hits in five at-bats. Bynum drove in three with his double and home run.

Jim Rapoport singled twice in five at-bats and came around to score once.

Donovan Solano singled and walked twice.

Despite just going 1-for-3, Andrew Brown drove in two runs and scored twice.

Pete Kozma also singled and scored twice but had just one RBI.

Springfield (6-6-4) 1, Jacksonville 1

Springfield pitching

Scott Schneider allowed just seven baserunners in six innings and only one scored.

Richard Castillo have up a hit and fanned one in his lone inning of work.

Matt Frevert gave up a hit and a walk in his one inning, but neither scored.

Cory Rauschenberger retired his only batter faced.

Casey Mulligan collected two outs, including a strikeout.

Springfield hitting

Tyler Henley doubled and scored.

Chris Swauger singled and collected the only Springfield RBI.

Niko Vasquez was the only other Cardinals runner. He drew a walk.

Palm Beach (11-6) 3, St. Lucie 1

Palm Beach pitching

Eric Fornataro gave up just an unearned run on three hits and no walks in five innings. Fornataro fanned three.

Arquimedes Nieto scattered a pair of hits over two scoreless frames.

Jared Bradford yielded two hits and a walk in his one inning, but managed to keep them off home plate.

Chase Reid gave up two hits in his scoreless frame and fanned two.

Lefty Nick Greenwood surrendered one hit and struck out one in his scoreless inning.

Palm Beach hitting

Phil Cerreto had two doubles in four at-bats. He scored one and drove in one.

Alan Ahmady singled twice in four at-bats and collected an RBI.

Luis Mateo doubled and scored.

Jarred Bogany singled in his only at-bat.

Quad Cities #1 (7-8-2) 3, Savannah 1

Quad Cities #1 pitching

Kevin Siegrist yielded one earned run in four innings on six hits and a walk. He struck out three.

Boone Whiting and Justin Wright each spun two perfect frames. Whiting fanned three and Wright two.

Chris Corrigan gave up one hit and fanned one in his scoreless inning.

Quad Cities #1 hitting

Nick Longmire and Greg Garcia each had two singles in four at-bats.

Michael Swinson singled and doubled in two at-bats and scored once.

Roberto Espinoza singled and scored in his lone at-bat.

Cody Stanley singled in his only at-bat.

Oscar Taveras doubled, walked and drove in one.

Quad Cities #2 (5-1) 8, Jupiter (A-Advanced) 4

Quad Cities #2 pitching

Carlos Martinez yielded just one earned run in four innings on two hits and a walk. Pitching against these higher-level batters, the 19-year-old fanned nine, including seven in a row.

Cale Johnson walked a pair in his lone inning, but neither scored.

Tyrell Jenkins was victimized by a two-out error as three unearned runs crossed the plate. The 2010 supplemental first rounder yielded two hits and no walks in two innings.

Pat Daugherty and Aidan Lucas each gave up a hit and fanned one in their scoreless innings.

Quad Cities #2 hitting

Romulo Ruiz singled twice and doubled in four at-bats. He drove in one and scored one.

Catcher Kevin Moscatel had two singles in four at-bats, scored twice and drove in one.

Pat Biserta and Matt Valaika each went 2-for-4. Biserta drove in two and Valaika plated one.

Cesar Valera singled and doubled in four at-bats and scored a run.

Colin Walsh was on base three times in four appearances with a single and two walks.

Adam Melker had a perfect day, with three walks and a double in four PAs.

Steven Ramos hit a solo home run.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 04/01

Following are the highlights from the 16th day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Friday, April 1. The Cardinals minor leaguers had a camp day, during which Memphis faced Springfield and Palm Beach opposed Quad Cities.

After the 2-2 day in which both upper-level clubs won, the Cardinals system is a combined 32-26-9 this spring. That includes a 20-14-5 mark against external competition, the Marlins and Mets.

Today’s photo is of the Player of the Day, Trevor Rosenthal (again). The 20-year-old right-hander tossed six shutout innings and fanned nine for Quad Cities. Honorable mention for the four Palm Beach pitchers, Maikel Cleto, Jesse Simpson, Aaron Terry and Jose Rada. They combined for a complete-game one-hitter.

On Saturday, the Cardinals have their final spring action against their New York Mets minor league neighbors. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

Memphis (6-5-4) 3, Springfield (6-6-3) 2

Memphis pitching

P.J. Walters tossed six innings of two-run ball. The right-hander allowed just six baserunners, five hits and a walk. Walters fanned five.

Tyler Norrick had trouble with walks, giving out four free passes while collecting five outs, including two via the strikeout. No Springfield runs were allowed, though.

Eduardo Sanchez, one of the last players cut from St. Louis, fanned one in his inning of work.

Memphis hitting

Andrew Brown continues to have a hot week, with two singles and a double in four at-bats. He scored one.

Shane Robinson singled, doubled and scored in four at-bats.

Jim Rapoport and Tony Cruz were each on base three times in four plate appearances with a pair of singles and a walk. Cruz scored a run.

Ramon Vazquez singled and walked in four PAs and drove in one.

Pete Kozma was on base all four times, with a single and three walks. He also drove in one.

Donovan Solano walked and had a sacrifice fly.

Springfield pitching

Mike Blazek allowed all three Redbirds runs in 4 2/3 innings. Memphis had five hits and drew four walks against him. Blazek fanned three.

Five baserunners reached against Adam Reifer in just 1 1/3 innings, but none scored. Three hits and two walks occurred on his watch, same as…

Lefty Ryan Kulik who also struck out three in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Springfield hitting

Jose Garcia was on base twice with a walk and a double. He scored one.

Jermaine Curtis stroked an RBI double.

Matt Adams had a single and RBI.

Nick Derba was on base twice in three plate appearances with a walk and a double. He scored one run.

Palm Beach (10-6) 4, Quad Cities (6-8-2) 1

Palm Beach pitching

Maikel Cleto had his strongest outing of the spring, allowing one earned run in five innings on just one hit and two walks. The 40-man roster righty struck out seven.

Jesse Simpson fanned two in a perfect inning.

Aaron Terry retired all six batters faced.

Jose Rada added a perfect inning of his own.

Palm Beach hitting

D’Marcus Ingram was on base twice in four appearances with a single and a walk. He scored one.

Curt Smith homered in three at-bats and drove in two.

Ryde Rodriguez made the most of his two plate appearances, walking and homering. The outfielder scored both times and drove in a pair.

Quad Cities pitching

Trevor Rosenthal has to be the pitcher of the camp. This time out, he allowed just one hit and no walks over six scoreless. Rosenthal fanned nine.

Ricky Martinez took the loss, yielding two runs in two innings. Though he gave up just one hit, he also walked two. Martinez struck out two.

Drew Benes scattered two hits in his scoreless inning.

Scott Bittle gave up the final pair of runs on one walk and one hit in 2/3 of an inning. He famed one.

Quad Cities hitting

Michael Swinson had his team’s only hit and RBI.

Greg Garcia walked and scored that sole run.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/31

Following are the highlights from the 15th day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Thursday, March 31. The Cardinals minor leaguers, all five rosters worth, had their final games with their Marlins neighbors. Florida was the home team, so the games were held on their side of the Jupiter complex.

After the 3-1-1 day, the Cardinals system is a combined 30-24-9 this spring. That includes a 20-14-5 mark against external competition, the Marlins and Mets.

Today’s photo is of the Player of the Day, Memphis reliever Chuckie Fick. The right-hander allowed just one baserunner in three scoreless innings and struck out four. Four starters receive honorable mention: the Redbirds’ Adam Ottavino, Palm Beach’s Shelby Miller, Quad Cities #1 starter Jordan Swagerty and QC #2 starter Hector Hernandez.

On Friday, the Cardinals have another camp day during which Memphis will take on Springfield and Palm Beach will oppose Quad Cities. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

Memphis (5-5-4) 4, New Orleans 3

The Redbirds got to former major leaguer Sean West for all four runs in the first inning and held on for the win.

Memphis pitching

Adam Ottavino had his best outing of the spring and he works to prove his shoulder problems are behind him. The right-hander allowed one run in five innings on four hits and two walks. The former first-round pick struck out seven.

Chuckie Fick had a sterling relief stint. In three innings, he gave up just one hit and no walks. Fick fanned four.

Rich Rundles allowed a single to his only batter faced and that runner later scored.

Fernando Salas had a rare rough inning as he yielded two hits and two walks. One runner crossed the plate.

Memphis hitting

Nick Stavinoha, listed as a catcher on Memphis’ roster, singled and doubled in four at-bats. He drove in one and scored one.

Minor league free agent signee Freddie Bynum had three singles in four at-bats.

Versatile Andrew Brown was on base twice in four plate appearances on single and a walk. He plated a run and scored one.

Donovan Solano singled and drove in a pair.

Springfield (6-5-3) 8, Jacksonville 4

Springfield pitching

Deryk Hooker yielded three runs in five innings. The right-hander surrendered four hits and walked no one. Hooker fanned four.

Richard Castillo, now listed among the relievers, allowed three hits in two innings, but kept them away from home plate.

Ramon Delgado had a day of ones as he was charged with one earned run on one hit, one walk and yes, he struck out one.

Lefty Nick Greenwood allowed two baserunners and collected two outs, one via strikeout.

Casey Mulligan converted a one-out save with a strikeout.

Springfield hitting

Chris Swauger singled and hit a solo home run in five at-bats.

Third baseman Niko Vasquez singled three times in four at-bats and scored twice.

Roberto Espinoza had two doubles in four at-bats and drove in three.

Matt Adams and Jose Garcia both doubled and had an RBI.

Outfielder Aaron Luna singled and drove in one.

Jupiter 4, Palm Beach (9-6) 3

Palm Beach pitching

Shelby Miller had a nice four-inning day, as he struck out seven and allowed just one run. The system’s top prospect gave up just two hits and walked three.

Arquimedes Nieto, apparently still in the battle for a rotation spot, gave up one run in two innings on three hits. He fanned one.

Daniel Calhoun was touched for two runs in 1 2/3 frames. He yielded four hits and fanned one.

Jorge Rondon gave up just one scattered hit in 1 1/3 scoreless. He struck out one batter.

Palm Beach hitting

Curt Smith, Ryde Rodriguez and Phil Cerreto all had two singles and scored one in four at-bats.

Jarred Bogany doubled and plated two.

Quad Cities #1 (6-7-2) 1, Greensboro 1 (tie)

Quad Cities #1 pitching

Jordan Swagerty, a closer last season at Arizona State, will be starting in 2011. In five shutout innings, he allowed four hits and a walk, striking out three.

Angel DeJesus surrendered the only Greensboro run on two hits and two walks over his three-inning outing.

Jared Bradford gave up a pair of hits in his scoreless innings.

Quad Cities #1 hitting

Juan Castillo singled twice and drove in one in three at-bats.

Frederick Parejo was on base twice in three plate appearances with a single and a walk. He scored the lone Quad Cities run.

Quad Cities #2 (4-1) 3, Marlins fifth team 2

Quad Cities #2 pitching

Hector Hernandez had a strong four-inning shutout start. He yielded just one hit and three walks while fanning four.

Wilson Matos was charged with a lone run on four hits and a walk over two frames. Matos struck out two.

Tyler Lyons gave up the other run in his two-inning stint. He allowed one hit and fanned one.

Sean Watson, who I reported yesterday had signed his first professional contract, earned his first save. The 6-foot-9 left-hander allowed one hit in his scoreless ninth inning.

Quad Cities #2 hitting

Adam Melker singled twice and scored both times in four at-bats.

Chris Edmondson pulled out his extra-base stick with a double and triple in four at-bats. He scored one run and drove in another.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/30

Following are the highlights from the 14th day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Wednesday, March 30. Memphis and Springfield faced the Mets’ Triple-A and Double-A clubs at Port St. Lucie, while Palm Beach and Quad Cities took on their New York counterparts at home in Jupiter.

The 0-2-2 day was the Cardinals’ worst of the spring – their first winless day. The Cardinals system is a combined 27-23-8 this spring. That includes a 17-13-4 mark against external competition.

Today’s photo is of the Player of the Day, Quad Cities starting pitcher Zack Russell. The 21-year-old right-hander and former 49th round draft pick (not a typo) tossed five scoreless innings on three hits, walked no one and punched out six. Quad Cities third baseman Jonathan Rodriguez receives an honorable mention.

On Thursday, the Cardinals minor leaguers, all five rosters worth, will have their final games with their Marlins neighbors. Florida will be the home team, so the games will be on their side of the complex. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

Memphis (4-5-4) 6, Buffalo 6

Buffalo outfielder Jason Pridie connected for a first-inning grand slam and the Bisons’ starter, Josh Stinson, shut out the Redbirds through five on just two hits. Memphis mounted a nice comeback in the later innings to pull even.

Memphis pitching

To get work and stay in routine for his Monday start for St. Louis, major leaguer Kyle Lohse remained behind in Florida and took the mound for the Redbirds. The right-hander did not have a good day to say the least, as he was gored by 11 Bison hits and a walk. All six runs Lohse allowed were earned. He fanned four in his five-inning appearance.

Jason Buursma yielded just one hit in two scoreless frames. He fanned one.

Blake King had a King-like outing. He was touched for two hits and walked a pair in two innings, but kept the opponent off the scoreboard. The 40-man roster reliever struck out one.

Memphis hitting

Andrew Brown singled and homered in four at-bats. The versatile corner infielder-outfielder collected three RBI.

Daryl Jones tripled and drove in a pair.

Adron Chambers, Freddie Bynum and Shane Robinson were each on base twice with a single and walk. They all scored one run.

Binghamton 3, Springfield (5-5-3) 1

Binghamton left-hander Robert Carson threw five shutout innings as the Cardinals scored their lone run in the sixth against reliever Ricky Brooks.

Springfield pitching

Nick Additon went 4 2/3 innings, yielding all three Binghamton runs on six hits and a walk. He fanned two.

Brett Zawacki had a nice two-inning stint, with no baserunners and a pair of punchouts.

Lefty Sam Freeman, returning from Tommy John surgery, walked one and struck out one in his scoreless inning.

Matt Frevert also tossed a shutout frame on one hit. He collected two strikeouts.

Springfield hitting

First baseman Matt Adams, fresh from some MLB face time Tuesday, singled and doubled in four at-bats.  He is bidding to jump from Quad Cities.

Back from his own Tommy John surgery, outfielder Tyler Henley doubled. Look for our interview to be posted for The Cardinal Nation subscribers later this week.

Tommy Pham was on base twice, having drawn a walk each time. The outfielder is The Cardinal Nation’s 19th-ranked prospect for 2011.

Jermaine Curtis walked and scored the lone Springfield tally.

St. Lucie 7, Palm Beach (9-5) 3

Palm Beach pitching

Major league camp invitee Joe Kelly was touched for four runs, three earned, in his four-inning start. Kelly allowed five hits and three walks. He also struck out four.

Jesse Simpson allowed a lone hit in his two shutout innings and fanned a pair.

Justin Wright gave up a walk in his scoreless frame.

Aaron Terry had a perfect inning of relief.

Jose Rada had a rough day at the office, giving up four hits and three earned runs while collecting just one out.

Palm Beach hitting

Alan Ahmady had two singles and double in four at-bats. He scored one and drove in one.

Ryde Rodriguez had a pair of singles in four at-bats and scored.

Jarred Bogany drew a pair of walks, scored one and drove in a run via a sacrifice fly.

Quad Cities (6-7-1) 4, Savannah 4

Quad Cities pitching

Zack Russell was sharp, tossing five scoreless innings on three hits. He walked no one and punched out six.

Chris Corrigan and Keith Butler each gave up a pair of hits and a run in their respective one inning stints. Corrigan’s run was unearned.

Cale Johnson allowed a harmless walk in his scoreless frame. He struck out two.

Hector Corpas yielded the final two Savannah runs on three ninth-inning hits.

Quad Cities hitting

Jonathan Rodriguez had a double, triple and walk in four plate appearances. He scored twice.

Packy Elkins homered. The infielder had just two in 169 plate appearances with Johnson City in 2010.

Oscar Taveras was on base twice in three appearances with a single and walk. Our #11 Cardinals prospect scored one run.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/29

Following are the highlights from the 13th day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Tuesday, March 29. (Monday’s games were rained out.) As is the case every third day all spring long when the Mets and Marlins play each other, this was a camp day. Memphis faced Springfield and Palm Beach took on Quad Cities.

In the default 2-2 day, everything was as it should be. Both higher level clubs prevailed. Palm Beach padded its system-best 9-4 record with another win. The Cardinals system is a combined 27-21-6 this spring. That includes a 17-11-2 mark against external competition.

Today’s photo is of the Player of the Day, Memphis right-hander Lance Lynn. In 6 2/3 shutout innings, he gave up just four hits and three walks while fanning four.

On Wednesday, Memphis and Springfield are slated to play the Mets’ Triple-A and Double-A clubs at Port St. Lucie, while Palm Beach and Quad Cities take on their New York counterparts at home in Jupiter. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

Memphis (4-5-3) 8, Springfield (5-4-3) 3

Memphis pitching

Lance Lynn showed he is ready for the season to begin as he allowed just seven baserunners in 6 2/3 innings. The big righty fanned four.

Adam Reifer struggled, yielding four hits and three earned runs in just one inning of work.

Eduardo Sanchez, fresh from major league camp, walked one and fanned one in his scoreless frame.

Memphis hitting

Pete Kozma and Shane Robinson both had two singles and a double in three plate appearances. The shortstop scored three and had an RBI while the outfielder drove in three.

Tony Cruz, Donovan Solano and Daryl Jones all had two singles in three at-bats.

Freddie Bynum singled in two at-bats, scored twice and drove in one.

Adron Chambers doubled in three at-bats.

Springfield pitching

Lefty Raul Valdes dropped down a level for the day and gave up two runs, one earned on three hits over four innings. He walked none and fanned three.

Ryan Kulik allowed three baserunners in his one inning, but none scored.

Cory Rauschenberger had a day to forget as he allowed eight baserunners in 2/3 of an inning, though just two crossed the plate.

Nick Greenwood worked a perfect inning, with all three outs on ground balls.

Casey Mulligan was spanked for four earned runs on five hits while getting just one out.

Springfield hitting

Ryan Jackson had a pair of singles in four at-bats.

Tyler Henley who later appeared in the MLB game, went 2-for-3 with an RBI

Big Matt Adams joined Henley, but before he left, he clubbed a two-run home run.

Alex Castellanos was on base twice via a double and a walk. He also scored one.

Aaron Luna and Niko Vasquez both singled and walked. Luna also scored.

Palm Beach (9-4) 4, Quad Cities (6-7) 3

Palm Beach pitching

Lefty John Gast, who received a long look in MLB camp, yielded just an unearned run over four innings. He gave up four hits, walked one and struck out five.

Eric Fornataro was touched for a pair of runs in his three innings. He yielded four hits and walked three. Fornataro, about whom pitching coordinator Dyar Miller told me earlier in camp has “major league stuff,” struck out a pair.

Chase Reid allowed a hit and two walks in two innings, but kept Quad Cities off the board. He fanned two and picked up the win.

Palm Beach hitting

Phil Cerreto’s two-run single in the ninth was the game-winner.

Zack Cox singled, doubled and had an RBI in four plate appearances.

Luis Mateo had two singles in two tries and scored once.

Nick Longmire doubled and scored.

Mike O’Neill was on base twice in four plate appearances with a walk and a single. He drove in one.

Quad Cities pitching

Anthony Ferrara had a nice outing, scattering four baserunners over four scoreless frames. He struck out five.

Drew Benes gave up a run on three hits in his two innings of work. He fanned four. Aidan Lucas tossed a perfect inning.

Ricky Martinez gave up a run in his inning on a pair of hits.

Lefty Dean Kiekhefer took the loss as he yielded three hits and a walk in his one inning, including Cerreto’s game-winner.

Quad Cities hitting

Michael Swinson had two singles and a hit-by-pitch in his three times up.

Adam Melker drew a pair of walks.

Jonathan Rodriguez had an RBI single in his lone at-bat.

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Nationals could pull Cardinals from Jupiter orbit

With the St. Louis Cardinals packing up their equipment following their final Grapefruit League game of 2011 on Tuesday, mixed signals are being received regarding their long-term future in Jupiter, Florida.

Last week, some excitement was generated when it was announced that the Cardinals and Florida Marlins tentatively agreed to a ten-year lease extension with Palm Beach County for continued use of the Roger Dean Stadium complex for spring training and their Florida State League clubs.

First reported by the Palm Beach Post, extension of the agreement through 2027 was crucial in resolving a stalemate over holding of funds for needed maintenance to the facility and clarification on future sourcing of those moneys.

That is not the primary rub over the long haul, however. Both teams demanded and were granted contract wording that allows them to leave Jupiter early in one of two cases. They can bolt if the New York Mets, who train in Port St. Lucie, or the Washington Nationals, who are located in Viera, move from the east coast of Florida.

While the Mets are talking like they are staying put, Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner is making noise like a man soon to be on the move. He confirmed to the Washington Post that the Nationals are actively exploring options to build a new facility on the Gulf Coast of Florida. If that is not successful, Lerner also identified Arizona as a viable option.

Lerner did commit that the Nationals will remain in Viera “at least the next couple years for sure.” Their lease at off-the-beaten-path Space Coast Stadium runs through 2017, but they have an out clause in 2013. Brevard County officials seem resigned to the possibility of losing the Nats, realizing they cannot solve the root issue.

Lerner made it clear that the Nats’ primary “problem” is logistical. The distance between spring training sites has created an untenable travel schedule for them and all the east coast Florida clubs. This situation is not likely to improve, as no teams appear to be interested in moving into the area. It will certainly get worse for the Mets, Cardinals and Marlins if the Nationals relocate.

The new Cardinals-Marlins-Palm Beach County deal is not yet final. The proposal will be reviewed by the Tourist Development Council on April 14 before it appears on the agenda of the County Commission on May 3.

It may not matter over the long term. The Washington Post story also noted almost in passing that the Cardinals have reportedly already been quietly looking into options in the Orlando area. Better scheduling would be possible for their entire baseball operations there.

The current travel distances aren’t just an issue for the major leaguers. Because of the long bus rides, Cardinals minor leaguers are forced to play themselves every third day all spring long when the Mets and Marlins minor leaguers face off – a suboptimal arrangement to say the least.

Despite Cardinals ownership reaffirming their satisfaction with their Florida home since 1998, a Washington shift could also pull St. Louis out of their Jupiter orbit. If the Nationals relocate, St. Louis may have no choice but to get serious about a corresponding move to an area with more conveniently-located competitors.

Time will tell if the proposed ten-year Jupiter extension ends up being anything more than window dressing.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/27

Following are the highlights from the 12th day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Sunday, March 27. In a late change, Memphis and Springfield traveled to Port St. Lucie to take on their Mets counterparts and both lost. Palm Beach and Quad Cities faced the Mets A-ball teams at the Jupiter complex and both won.

Originally, the games were scheduled to have been played at the opposite locations. It is not confirmed but I suspect getting convenient at-bats for rehabbing major leaguer Carlos Beltran was the motivation behind the site changes. Home cooking wins out.

After the 2-2 day, the Cardinals system is a combined 25-19-6 this spring. That includes a 17-11-2 mark against external competition.

Today’s photo is of the Player of the Day, Palm Beach’s Alan Ahmady, who had three hits, including a home run, scored three and drove in four in his team’s victory. Teammate D’Marcus Ingram is a most honorable mention.

On Monday, the five Cardinals squads, including both Quad Cities clubs, will welcome the Marlins to their side of the Jupiter complex. The Springfield club will then head north for their Tuesday night home exhibition against St. Louis, weather permitting, before returning to Jupiter for Wednesday action. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

Buffalo 11, Memphis (3-5-3) 3

Memphis pitching

P.J. Walters had a tough day as eight runs, five earned, crossed the plate during his five frames. The right-hander yielded five hits, walked four and struck out five.

Chuckie Fick was hit hard, giving up five hits and two earned runs while collecting just one out.

Blake King allowed two baserunners in his two innings, with one scoring. King fanned four.

Memphis hitting

Buffalo’s Dillon Gee fanned five Redbirds in five shutout innings as Memphis scored its runs in the latter frames. The Mets right-handed prospect is expected in New York sometime during the 2011 season.

Free agent middle infield signee Freddie Bynum had three singles in four at-bats. The 31-year-old ex-Cub played in Japan last season.

Luis Mateo had two hits and an RBI in four at-bats.

Catcher Bryan Anderson was on base twice in four plate appearances with a single and a walk. He scored once.

Like Anderson, shortstop Pete Kozma singled, walked and scored.

Mark Hamilton singled and drove in two. Last season, the big first baseman plated 60 in 72 games for the Redbirds.

Binghamton 1, Springfield (5-3-3) 0

Springfield pitching

Mike Blazek yielded the game’s lone run in four innings on just three hits. He fanned three and took the hard-luck loss.

Lefty Sam Freeman and righty Casey Mulligan allowed just one hit each in their scoreless innings.

Matt Frevert walked two and fanned two over two shutout frames.

Brett Zawacki spun a perfect inning, striking out two of three batters faced.

Springfield hitting

Charles Cutler had two singles in two at-bats.

Ryde Rodriguez had only one at-bat and he singled.

Jarred Bogany doubled and walked.

Alex Castellanos and Steven Hill doubled, so the Cardinals had at least three runs in scoring position, but couldn’t chase any home.

Palm Beach (8-4) 10, St. Lucie 4

Palm Beach pitching

Arquimedes Nieto yielded two runs on four hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out three.

Jorge Rondon was charged with the other two runs during a tough inning in which he allowed two hits and a walk. Two of his three outs collected were via strikeouts.

Jesse Simpson walked one batter and allowed no hits in two scoreless innings. He fanned three.

Aaron Terry yielded three hits and a run in his inning of work.

Palm Beach hitting

D’Marcus Ingram had a perfect day, with three singles and a triple in four at-bats. He scored twice and drove in one.

Alan Ahmady collected a pair of singles and a home run in his four at-bats. He crossed the plate all three times and plated four.

Mike O’Neill singled, walked and had an RBI.

Zack Cox was also on base twice as he singled, walked and scored.

Edgar Lara doubled, scored twice and drove in a run.

Greg Garcia singled, walked, scored and had an RBI.

Phil Cerreto doubled and had a sacrifice fly in two plate appearances. Both Garcia and Cerreto are bidding to make the leap from Johnson City.

Quad Cities (6-6) 3, Savannah 2

Quad Cities pitching

Carlos Martinez was scored upon again! The closely-watched Dominican yielded two runs, one earned over four innings. The 19-year-old gave up two hits, walked two and struck out three.

Chris Corrigan led the way as the pen tossed five scoreless innings. He started with one hit and one strikeout in his lone inning.

Justin Edwards was next, yielding a hit and a walk, but keeping them off home plate. Edwards fanned one in his one inning.

Cale Johnson had a nice two inning stint, giving up just one hit. He fanned one.

Tyler Lyons struck out two of the three batters he faced in the club’s final inning.

Quad Cities hitting

Outfielder Kyle Conley, coming back after a lost 2010, hit a solo home run. He had just 28 plate appearances with the River Bandits last season due to a wrist injury.

Catcher Cody Stanley drove in two of the three runs on a double.

Romulo Ruiz singled and scored.

Jonathan Rodriguez walked twice and scored a run.

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Lance Berkman drops to the Mendoza Line

Lance Berkman was the St. Louis Cardinals’ highest-priced offensive acquisition for 2011, signing for $8 million on a one-year contract to man right field. He is effectively replacing Ryan Ludwick, sent to San Diego in trade at the 2010 deadline.

Without recapping Berkman’s entire 12 seasons, he had been a feared hitter for many years, but has recently been in a late-career decline. Last season, he had a strong spring training (.364/.462/.636 – BA/OBP/SLG) but soon faltered.

The same day Ludwick was dealt, July 31, so was Berkman. The latter was traded away from his only home as a major leaguer, Houston, to the New York Yankees. After Berkman’s struggles worsened following the trade, neither club wanted the now 35-year-old back in 2011.

Note that in recent years, the switch-hitter has been demonstrating significantly greater problems batting right-handed against left-handed pitching (.517 OPS in 2010). Some had been calling for Berkman to abandon switch-hitting as far back as 2006.

Over the last week or so of 2011 spring training, Berkman has been in a normal defense and hitting routine, playing in right field and hitting from both sides of the plate, but that was not the case much of camp.

Early on, Berkman experienced left (throwing) elbow issues and a left calf strain. For that reason, he batted left-handed and was the Cardinals designated hitter for much of the spring. In fact, to protect his elbow, he even hit from the left side three times against left-handed pitchers in the March 16 game against Detroit.

Reviewing the bidding, Berkman has been hitting the majority of the time this spring from his left, better side, but is still showing almost no life, with no drive on the ball. While the prevalent concern initially was about his readiness to return to everyday play in the outfield, it is Berkman’s bat that must now be considered the greater worry.

His overall spring line is .200/.216/.280, reflecting only two extra-base hits and just one walk in 51 plate appearances. His home run occurred in his first game of the spring, back on February 28.  Berkman drew his one and only Florida walk on March 24, the same day he collected his only double.

Veterans supposedly don’t need the entire spring training period to get prepared, but with the season opener on Thursday, Berkman is running out of time to prove he is ready. Is he injured or worse?

[poll id=”73″]

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/26

Following are the highlights from the 11th day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Saturday, March 26. On Saturday’s camp day, Memphis took on Springfield while Palm Beach and Quad Cities faced off at the Jupiter complex.

After the inherent 2-2 day in which both the lower level teams prevailed, the Cardinals system is a combined 23-17-6 this spring. That includes a 15-9-2 mark against external competition.

Today’s photo is of the Player of the Day, Quad Cities pitcher Trevor Rosenthal. The right-hander spun four shutout innings against Palm Beach. The Cardinal Nation subscribers should look for my interview with Rosenthal coming up next week.

On Sunday, Memphis and Springfield will welcome their Mets counterparts to the Jupiter complex while Palm Beach and Quad Cities players hop the bus to Port St. Lucie. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here. Update: On Sunday morning, the Redbirds official Twitter account noted the Memphis and Springfield games have been moved to Port St. Lucie, with Palm Beach and Quad Cities staying home.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

Springfield (5-2-3) 4, Memphis (3-4-3) 0 (five innings)

Memphis pitching

Cory Rauschenberger was given the start and yielded a pair of runs in two innings. He gave up four hits and two walks and struck out two.

Adam Reifer was charged with a run on one hit in 2/3 of an inning.

Veteran lefty Rich Rundles gave up one hit and collected one out.

Memphis hitting

Adron Chambers’ double was the only hit for the Redbirds. The outfielder hit .273 with a .385 OBP in 18 spring games with St. Louis.

Springfield pitching

Richard Castillo allowed two baserunners in two innings. He fanned one.

Daniel Calhoun fanned two in a pair of perfect frames.

Springfield hitting

Shortstop and solid glove man Ryan Jackson had a good day at the plate with two singles in three at-bats and he scored once.

Chris Swauger singled and walked in two plate appearances. The outfielder scored one and collected an RBI.

Alex Castellanos homered, walked and scored twice. (Update: The Springfield News-Leader’s Kary Booher noted the home run came off a curveball thrown by Cuban tryout pitcher Rigoberto Arrebato.  More information on Arrebato can be found at The Cardinal Nation – subscriber article.)

Jarred Bogany doubled and drove in two.

Quad Cities (5-6) 4, Palm Beach (7-4) 1 (seven innings)

Palm Beach pitching

Maikel Cleto allowed five baserunners and fanned five in 3 2/3 innings. The 40-man roster righty was charged with two earned runs.

Andrew Moss gave up the other two runs during his 2 1/3 inning outing. He yielded three hits, walked one and fanned one.

Keith Butler fanned one in his perfect inning.

Palm Beach hitting

Infielder Luis Mateo muscled up with a solo home run in two at-bats. He has only 10 long balls in 741 career regular season plate appearances over three seasons.

Quad Cities pitching

Trevor Rosenthal started and scattered two hits and three walks over four innings, keeping Palm Beach off the scoreboard. Looking to make the leap from Johnson City, he struck out two.

Hector Corpas relieved, allowing one run in two innings on two hits. The 2010 Appalachian League All-Star fanned three.

Recovering right-hander Scott Bittle walked one in his lone inning of work. The Cardinal Nation subscribers should check out our interview, posted on Friday.

Quad Cities hitting

Virgil Hill doubled twice in three at-bats. The outfielder scored and collected an RBI.

Still a teenager, Dominican third baseman Roberto De La Cruz singled and scored in three at-bats.

Catcher Robert Stock singled twice in two at-bats.

Juan Castillo singled, scored and drove in one in two at-bats.

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Cardinals losing spring record not good for regular season

While spring marks are inherently made to be forgotten, the St. Louis Cardinals have been very consistent over the Tony La Russa years. Since the manager’s arrival in 1996, the club has posted just two sub-.500 springs – in 2003 and 1998.

The Cardinals went on to miss the post-season both years.

Following Saturday’s bottom-of-the-ninth loss to the Marlins, St. Louis’ 2011 spring record dropped to 13-14, only tenth-best of the 15 Grapefruit League teams. Three Florida games remain, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday – the latter with an asterisk.

By Tuesday, the major leaguers will have headed north for an evening exhibition with their Double-A club in Springfield, MO. The “major league” club also has a Tuesday afternoon game scheduled in Jupiter that seems destined to be staffed by minor leaguers.

Yet, the outcome of that game may be the difference-maker in the 2011 Cardinals having a winning spring record.

The spring and regular season won-loss tallies over the La Russa years follow. Over that time, the Cardinals have played slightly better in Florida than during the regular season, .556 to .543.

St. Louis Cardinals spring and regular season records, 1996 through March 26, 2011

Spring Season
Year FL wins FL losses Ties Pct. FL rank NLC rank NLC rank Pct Reg wins Reg losses PS Result
2011* 13 14 1 0.481 10 3 TBD
2010 15 14 0 0.517 7 3 2 0.531 86 76
2009 19 12 0 0.613 3 2 1 0.562 91 71 LDS L
2008 17 10 2 0.630 4 1 4 0.531 86 76
2007 16 10 4 0.615 3 2 3 0.481 78 84
2006 15 14 1 0.517 T8 3 1 0.516 83 78 WS W
2005 15 11 2 0.577 T3 1 1 0.617 100 62 LCS L
2004 17 12 1 0.586 T4 2 1 0.648 105 57 WS L
2003 12 15 2 0.444 14 4 3 0.525 85 77
2002 17 10 3 0.630 3 2 1 0.599 97 65 LCS L
2001 17 15 0 0.531 6 2 T1 0.574 93 69 LDS L
2000 17 11 0 0.607 3 1 1 0.586 95 67 LCS L
1999 16 13 1 0.552 T4 1 4 0.466 75 86
1998 12 16 1 0.429 12 3 3 0.512 83 79
1997 21 11 0 0.656 2 1 4 0.451 73 89
1996 15 15 0 0.500 T8 2 1 0.543 88 74 LCS L
Total 254 203 0.556 0.543 1318 1110

* three games remaining

3/29 Update: On Tuesday, St. Louis absorbed their seventh loss to Florida in eight spring tries and concluded spring training with a 14-16-1 record.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/25

Following are the highlights from the 10th day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Friday, March 25. The players on the Cardinals’ five rosters walked over to the Florida Marlins side of the Jupiter complex.

After the 3-2 day, the Cardinals system is a combined 21-15-6 this spring, including a 15-9-2 mark against external competition.

Today’s photo is of Player of the Day, Springfield outfielder Aaron Luna, who knocked two home runs and drove in four.

Palm Beach starting pitcher Shelby Miller receives a very honorable mention, with considerable detail on his outing, courtesy of Kary Booher of the Springfield News-Leader.

Miller struck out “six of the 13 batters he faced,” Booher reported from the game. Miller gave up a walk and a double leading off the fourth inning before settling down to finish with four innings total.

“Miller threw 54 pitches but relied heavily on his fastball, which sat between 91 and 92 mph,” Booher reported. “While Miller’s fastball was on, his off-speed pitchers were here and there. He threw eight curveballs, but only (one) for a strike, as the pitch tended not to bend as sharply as usual. Miller also mixed in only five change-ups.”

Saturday will be a camp day. Memphis will take on Springfield while Palm Beach and Quad Cities will face off at the Jupiter complex. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

New Orleans 5, Memphis (3-3-3) 4

Memphis pitching

Adam Ottavino started but allowed three earned runs in three innings. The right-hander gave up six hits and walked three. He fanned three also.

Tyler Norrick three 1 2/3 spotless innings. The lefty struck out one.

Chuckie Fick also had a nice two-inning outing. He allowed just one walk and struck out four.

Rich Rundles allowed two baserunners in his inning, but neither scored. The veteran lefty fanned one.

Jason Buursma took the tough loss as New Orleans scored two unearned runs with two out in the bottom of the ninth. He allowed two hits and a walk.

Memphis hitting

Pete Kozma had three singles in four at-bats and scored once.

Daryl Jones had a hit in three at-bats, stole a base and scored twice.

Jermaine Curtis was on base twice in three plate appearances with a double, a walk. He also swiped a base and scored a run.

Tony Cruz had an RBI single in two appearances.

Ramon Vazquez was on base three times in four plate appearances with a single and a pair of walks.

Springfield (4-2-3) 13, Jacksonville 9

Springfield pitching

Deryk Hooker, who received positive reviews from pitching coordinator Dyar Miller early in camp, had a rough outing. He allowed four earned runs on five hits and walk in 2 2/3 frames. Hooker fanned four.

Nick Additon yielded just one earned run on three hits in 3 1/3 frames. He struck out three.

Ryan Kulik tossed a scoreless inning, working around an error.

Ramon Delgado gave up a couple of hits and fanned one in his scoreless frame.

Jose Rada took it on the chin, allowing five hits and four earned runs in his lone, long inning.

Springfield hitting

Aaron Luna had a big day with two home runs in four at-bats. He scored three times and drove in four.

Steven Hill was on base four times in five appearances and scored every time. The catcher walked, singled, doubled, homered and drove in two.

Matt Adams had two singles in five at-bats. The big first baseman scored once and drove in one.

Ryan Jackson had two singles and homered in four at-bats. He also walked, scored twice and plated a pair of runs.

Tyler Henley, coming off an injury-plagued 2010, was on base three times in five PAs. He singled, doubled, walked and collected two RBI.

Chris Swauger doubled, walked and scored.

Ronald Ramirez, a winter free agent middle infield signee, doubled and scored twice.

Jupiter 6, Palm Beach (7-3) 5

Palm Beach pitching

Shelby Miller allowed just two baserunners and one earned run in four innings. He fanned six.

Joe Kelly was touched for a pair of earned runs in 2 2/3 innings on three hits and a walk. He struck out one.

Justin Wright allowed four baserunners in 1 1/3 frames, but none scored.

Chase Reid took the loss as he yielded three runs in the final inning, giving Jupiter the victory. He allowed three hits and fanned one.

Palm Beach hitting

ShortstopYunier Castillo had a pair of singles in four at-bats and scored once.

Zack Cox singled and homered in three at-bats and collected a pair of RBI.

Edgar Lara singled twice in four at-bats and drove in one.

Rainel Rosario had two singles in three at-bats.

Curt Smith singled and doubled in three plate appearances.

Alan Ahmady and Nick Longmire made their one at-bats valuable as they had RBI singles. Ahmady also came around to score.

Quad Cities #1 (4-6) 1, Greensboro 4

Quad Cities #1 pitching

Seth Blair yielded two runs, one earned in 2 1/3 innings. He gave up three hits, three walks and fanned three.

Jordan Swagerty was stretched out to a four-inning outing. The 2010 draft pick was charged with one earned run on three hits. He did walk three as well, and fanned one.

Justin Edwards fanned one in his scoreless inning.

Ricky Martinez had four baserunners on during his one inning and one crossed the plate.

Quad Cites #1 hitting

Ted Obregon had a pair of singles in four at-bats.

Matt Valaika had a two-run double and came around to score.

Joey Bergman and Romulo Ruiz both doubled and scored

Kyle Conley, another outfielder coming off an injury-ruined season, walked twice and scored both times.

Chris Edmondson singled, walked and scored a run.

Adam Melker singled, walked and collected an RBI.

Quad Cities #2 (3-1) 6, Marlins 5th club 3

Quad Cities #2 pitching

Wilson Matos tossed three scoreless frames on just two hits. He fanned three.

Cale Johnson allowed just one baserunner in two innings on a walk. He had one strikeout. Lefty Dean Kiekhefer had a rough day. He yielded three runs, two earned in 1 1/3 innings. The Fish had five hits and drew a walk. Kiekhefer had one strikeout.

Drew Benes surrendered just one hit in 1 2/3 innings. He fanned one.

Aidan Lucas gave up just one walk in his lone frame.

Quad Cities #2 hitting

Colin Walsh had two singles and a double in four at-bats. He scored once.

Roberto DeLaCruz did even better with a pair of singles and a triple in four ABs. He scored one run and drove in another.

Note: The Cardinal Nation subscribers can read all about two Cuban tryout pitchers who have joined minor league camp.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/24

Following are the highlights from the ninth day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Thursday, March 24. The Cardinals and Mets faced off. Memphis and Springfield rosters took the bus ride to Port St. Lucie, while Palm Beach and Quad Cities entertained their New York counterparts at home in Jupiter.

After the 2-1-1 day, the Cardinals system is a combined 18-13-6 this spring, including a 12-7-2 mark against external competition.

Today’s photo is of Player of the Day, Nick Longmire. The outfielder struck a bases-loaded double for three RBI with Palm Beach.

On Friday, the players on the Cardinals’ five rosters will walk over to the Florida Marlins side of the Jupiter complex. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

Memphis (3-2-3) 2, Buffalo 2 (tie)

Memphis pitching

Lance Lynn, fresh from an extended look in major league camp, allowed eight baserunners and two earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. He fanned one.

Veteran lefty Raul Valdes, who spent part of 2010 with Buffalo, was dealing. He punched out six in 2 1/3 innings. Valdes allowed one hit and one walk.

Blake King, also down from St. Louis, had a typical outing. The right-hander struck out two while allowing a pair of baserunners as well in his lone inning.

Adam Reifer walked one and fanned one to finish up and protect the tie.

Memphis hitting

Donovan Solano, who would later appear in the MLB game, had two singles in two at-bats.

Nick Stavinoha also suited up for St. Louis, but in this game had two hits in three at-bats. He also scored once.

Mark Hamilton was on base three times in five plate appearances on a single, walk and hit by pitch.

Andrew Brown, the day after starting for St. Louis, showed a good eye. He drew three walks and singled in five plate appearances.

Adron Chambers walked and had a tying two-out RBI single in the final inning. He would have also plated the lead run, but the runner was thrown out at the plate.

Binghamton 6, Springfield (3-2-3) 5

Springfield pitching

Brett Zawacki yielded two runs, one earned in 1 2/3 innings. He game up two hits and struck out one.

Lefty Nick Greenwood scattered three hits over two scoreless innings. He fanned one.

Matt Frevert allowed four baserunners in his two innings, but kept them off home plate.

Sam Freeman was the victim of three errors, as two unearned runs crossed the plate in his 2/3 of an inning. The lefty, who missed 2010, yielded just one hit.

Twos were not kind to Casey Mulligan as he was touched for two runs in 2/3 inning on two hits and two walks.

Springfield hitting

Niko Vasquez (RBI) and minor league free agent signee Ronald Ramirez (2 RBI) each went 3-for-4.

Aaron Luna singled and tripled in four at-bats.

Alex Castellanos doubled and scored twice.

Steven Hill smacked a solo home run, just like in his brief MLB debut last season.

Palm Beach (7-2) 7, St. Lucie 3

Palm Beach pitching

John Gast pitched well, striking out seven in three innings and picked off another runner. Unfortunately, Jaime Garcia tried that move in the major league game and was called for a balk.

Palm Beach hitting

Edgar Lara singled twice in four at-bats and scored.

Nick Longmire stroked a bases-loaded double good for three RBI.

Curt Smith singled and doubled in four at-bats. He drove in one and scored.

Ivan Castro had two singles in two chances.

Luis Mateo tripled in three at-bats.

Quad Cities (3-6) 7, Savannah 5

Quad Cities pitching

Zach Russell yielded two runs in three innings on three hits and three walks. He fanned two.

Anthony Ferrara allowed a pair of runs in four innings. He allowed five baserunners. Tryout lefty Sean Watson gave up one run in one frame.

Aaron Terry kept the Mets club off the board on one hit in his inning of work.

Quad Cities hitting

Jonathan Rodriguez had three singles and an RBI in four at-bats.

Victor Sanchez singled and doubled in four at-bats. He drove in two and scored.

Frederick Parejo and Ronny Gil both scored twice and went 1-for-3 at the plate.

Virgil Hill was on base via a triple and walk and scored both times. He also collected an RBI.

Cody Stanley singled and walked.

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ZiPS says Cardinals have easiest 2011 MLB schedule

As I was watching the St. Louis Cardinals get plastered by the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon, the mail arrived. Among the usual catalogs and bills was the April 4 edition of ESPN The Magazine.

Its cover, depicting a bionic-looking Aroldis Chapman*, caught my eye. Among the items in the MLB preview section was a featurette on page 62.

Dan Szymborski of Baseball Think Factory used his ZiPS projection system to predict the aggregate 2011 winning percentage of each of the 30 MLB teams’ opponents. Of course, the unbalanced schedule makes the outcomes less apparent.

One observation is that poorer teams have tougher schedules since they don’t have to play themselves. Another is that all American League teams have tougher strength of schedules than National League teams.

To top it off, the Cardinals have the easiest schedule in all of MLB at .484, according to the projections. The Toronto Blue Jays at .522 have the toughest row to hoe in 2011.

Wanting to look into this further, I discovered Szymborski wrote about this subject in more depth at ESPN.com. In a subscriber article, he presents a case that if the two birds changed nests, the Blue Jays would win the 2011 NL Central.

Sadly, in his equal but opposite reaction, Szymborski put the Philadelphia Phillies into the AL East instead of the Cardinals, but still made his point. The Phils would not take the division, says the projection.

Instead of celebrating the weak schedule, Cardinals fans should be very concerned – at least if 2010 is repeated. Last season, St. Louis stumbled to a confounding 46-50 mark against teams with a losing record, including season series wins by NL Central foes Milwaukee, Chicago and Houston.

* I have since learned the Chapman cover photo was taken by St. Louis-based photographer Scott Rovak, a real pro and an amazingly hard worker. Congratulations, Scott!

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Forbes ranks St. Louis Cardinals #11 in team value

The St. Louis Cardinals are the 11th-most valuable Major League Baseball team, according to Forbes Magazine’s annual assessment. After two years of basically flat value, the Cardinals are estimated to be worth $518 million, up 6.1 percent from 2010.

St. Louis Cardinals value (source: Forbes)

Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
$ million $271 $308 $314 $370 $429 $460 $484 $486 $488 $518
YTY increase 13.7% 1.9% 17.8% 15.9% 7.2% 5.2% 0.4% 0.4% 6.1%

Interestingly, the new Busch Stadium is only valued at $136 million despite its $357 million cost, with its $20 million per year debt service noted. (Note reader comments below that this is an equity statement, not a valuation.) Forbes estimates that the Cardinals took in $207 million in revenue, with operating income of $19.8 million, up from $13 million the prior year. Gate receipts were assumed to be $95 million.

Player expenses were pegged at $110 million by Forbes, basically flat year to year. Team season-opening player payrolls have yet to be determined, but the Cardinals are expected to be in that same 10-12 ranking range for the 2011 season.

Interestingly, despite being ranked in the top half, the Cardinals are worth slightly less than the average team. Overall, Forbes estimates the average MLB franchise is worth $523 million. That is an all-time high and up seven percent from last year.

The New York Yankees remain the most valuable team at $1.7 billion. At the other end of the totem pole at number 30 is the Pittsburgh Pirates at $304 million.

While some disagree with these valuations, with MLB’s books closed to the public, the yearly Forbes process provides the most exhaustive analysis generally available.

[poll id=”72″]

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/23

Following are the highlights from the eighth day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Wednesday, March 23. The Cardinals had another camp day at the Jupiter complex during which Memphis played Springfield and Palm Beach opposed Quad Cities.

Springfield took their first loss of the spring while Palm Beach padded their organization-best spring record with their sixth win in eight tries. After the default 2-2 day, the Cardinals system is a combined 16-12-5 this spring.

Today’s photo is of Player of the Day, Memphis starting pitcher Brandon Dickson. Look for his spring training interview posted on Thursday morning for The Cardinal Nation subscribers.

On Thursday, the Cards and Mets face off. Memphis and Springfield rosters will take the bus ride to Port St. Lucie, while Palm Beach and Quad Cities will entertain their New York counterparts at home. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

Memphis (3-2-2) 8, Springfield (3-1-3) 1 (5 ½ innings)

Memphis Pitching

Brandon Dickson, fresh from major league camp, had a strong outing. He went 4 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits, no walks and one run. Dickson fanned five.

Jason Buursma took the final inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Memphis hitting

Matt Carpenter, trying to improve his versatility by starting at shortstop, singled and doubled in three at-bats and drove in two.

Shane Robinson had an identical line to Carpenter, but he played in the outfield.

Tony Cruz had two singles in two plate appearances and plated a pair.

Pete Kozma scored twice.

Aaron Luna had one of his specialties, a hit by pitch. He also doubled in two at-bats and scored two runs. I have a report that Luna has been working out at second base again, but his game action has been in the outfield.

Springfield Pitching

Scott Schneider allowed the first five Redbirds runs in 3 1/3 innings, though only three were earned. He gave up five hits and fanned four.

Daniel Calhoun allowed six baserunners in 1 2/3 innings, and three came around to score.

Springfield hitting

No Springfield players reached base more than once.

Chris Swauger’s sacrifice fly plated Tommy Pham with their only run.

Palm Beach (6-2) 5, Quad Cities (2-6) 0

Palm Beach Pitching

Richard Castillo started and allowed just two hits in three shutout innings. He fanned three. Despite repeating Palm Beach in 2010, our former #18-ranked prospect had a rough season. The right-hander from Venezuela is still just 21 years of age.

Justin Smith yielded no hits or walks in two innings and also struck out three.

Palm Beach hitting

Alan Ahmady doubled and scored in two at-bats.

Edgar Lara and Nick Longmire both doubled in two at-bats. Longmire scored a run.

Curt Smith and Joey Bergman made the best of limited time as each singled and scored in their only at-bats.

Robert Stock was one base twice with a single and a walk.

Quad Cities Pitching

Hector Hernandez allowed six baserunners in 2 2/3 innings and five of them scored. He did strike out five, however.

Hector Corpas scatted two hits over 1 1/3 scoreless.

Scott Bittle, back from shoulder surgery, tossed a scoreless inning. He issued a walk and struck out one.

Quad Cities hitting

Packy Elkins doubled in his only at-bat.

Juan Castillo singled in his lone plate appearance.

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“The Predictalator” places Cardinals second

A mathematician named Paul Bessire, formerly behind WhatIfSports.com and now the proprietor of PredictionMachine.com, has run the entire 2011 MLB season 50,000 times using his proprietary forecasting software, called “The Predictalator.”

On his site, Bessire offers the projected divisional standings along with the highest and lowest win totals for each team in the 50,000 seasons “played.” He includes each team’s likelihood of reaching the playoffs as a division or wild card winner and expected results once there. Finally, Futures Odds are included, which is the likelihood of any team coming in over or under the current Win Total lines from Bodog.com.

Here is a brief summary, with the NL Central teams listed. For the entire 30-team reports and further explanation, go to PredictionMachine.com.

National League Central Division

Team Avg. Wins Avg. Losses High Wins Low Wins
Cincinnati Reds 84.6 77.4 99 70
St. Louis Cardinals 83.8 78.2 100 71
Milwaukee Brewers 83.7 78.3 98 71
Chicago Cubs 82.9 79.1 97 69
Pittsburgh Pirates 69.8 92.2 83 53
Houston Astros 68.5 93.5 81 53

The Reds are on top, with the difference between the Cardinals and Brewers razor-thin. Note that the best-case scenario in the entire division would be 100 wins for St. Louis. Seems hard to imagine with Adam Wainwright out of the equation. Sadly, according to this analysis, the best Houston could possibly hope for is a .500 season.

Playoff Probabilities (based on 2011 MLB season played 50,000 times)

Team Division Win Wild Card Win LCS Win World Series Win
Cincinnati Reds 32.00% 6.10% 6.30% 2.60%
St. Louis Cardinals 26.80% 7.00% 5.60% 2.20%
Milwaukee Brewers 22.30% 5.40% 2.90% 1.10%
Chicago Cubs 18.60% 4.30% 1.80% 0.50%
Pittsburgh Pirates 0.10% 0.10% 0.00% 0.00%
Houston Astros 0.10% 0.10% 0.00% 0.00%

Interesting that the Cardinals have the best wild card chance of success while the gap between them and Milwaukee increases.

Total Wins Picks (based on every 2011 MLB game played 50,000 times)

Team Total Wins Line Projected Wins Pick Pick%
Houston Astros 71.5 68.5 Under 58.00%
Pittsburgh Pirates 67.5 69.8 Over 56.00%
Cincinnati Reds 83 84.6 Over 53.50%
Chicago Cubs 82 82.9 Over 51.80%
Milwaukee Brewers 84.5 83.7 Under 51.80%
St. Louis Cardinals 84.5 83.8 Under 51.40%

This shows the betting line is more optimistic about the Cardinals’ win total than is The Predictalator, though the two are closer than any other NL Central pair. Taking the Astros and the under seems the best NL Central bet according to this analysis. Maybe Houston fans can find some solace in the 2011 season this way.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/22

Following are the highlights from the seventh day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Tuesday, March 22. All five Cardinals teams played in Jupiter against their Florida Marlins counterparts. After the 3-2 day, the Cardinals system is a combined 14-10-5 this spring.

Today’s photo is of Player of the Day, Springfield first baseman Matt Adams. Note: The latest working rosters by level have been posted for The Cardinal Nation subscribers here.

On Wednesday, the Cardinals have another camp day at the Jupiter complex during which Memphis will play Springfield and Palm Beach will oppose Quad Cities. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

New Orleans 12, Memphis (2-2-2) 5

Memphis pitching

Kevin Thomas had the start for the Redbirds, but struggled. He allowed six baserunners in two innings and they all scored.

Ramon Delgado, a Florida State League All-Star and participant in the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Showcase last year, yielded four men on base in 1 2/3 innings and two of them crossed the plate.

Tyler Norrick struggled to find the strike zone. The lefty walked four, but only one scored during his inning of work.

Cory Rauschenberger gave up three hits in his two innings, but was the only Memphis hurler to not yield a run.

Veteran lefty Rich Rundles was touched for four hits, a walk and three runs in the final inning.

Memphis hitting

Donovan Solano singled and doubled twice in four at-bats and drove in two.

Adron Chambers tripled and scored twice.

Amaury Cazana doubled and plated two.

Tyler Henley was on base twice via a single and walk.

Springfield (3-0-3) 7, Jacksonville 6

Springfield pitching

Mike Blazek had a very effective four-inning scoreless outing, allowing just two hits while fanning four.

Arquimedes Nieto was touched for three runs, two earned in three frames. He allowed four hits and a walk and struck out one.

Jose Rada almost lost the lead, yielding three runs in one inning, though two of his three outs were via strikeouts.

Adam Reifer, on loan from Memphis, picked up the save with a perfect inning.

Springfield hitting

Matt Adams went 4-for-5 including a home run and two RBI. The big first baseman also made what was called a “great diving play down the line to save a run.”

Alex Castellanos singled, doubled and drove in two.

Nick Derba singled and walked in three plate appearances.

Palm Beach (5-2) 14, Jupiter 4

Palm Beach pitching

Andrew Moss yielded a run on three hits over two innings. He also struck out three.

Lefty Nick Greenwood was touched for two runs in two innings, but both were unearned. He allowed three hits and fanned one.

Justin Edwards and Keith Butler each spun two shutout innings.

Aaron Terry was charged with one run in his inning.

Palm Beach hitting

Adam Melker had three singles in five at-bats and scored twice.

Rainel Rosario singled and homered in three at-bats. He scored twice and drove in two.

Zack Cox, just dropped down from Springfield, had two singles in three at-bats, scored twice and plated one. Jermaine Curtis and Niko Vazquez are currently immediately ahead of Cox.

Catcher Ivan Castro singled and doubled in two at-bats, scored and had an RBI.

Nick Longmire went deep.

Curt Smith doubled.

Greensboro 4, Quad Cities (2-5) 2

Quad Cities #1 Pitching

Supplemental first rounder Tyrell Jenkins showed his limited pro experience as he gave up three earned runs in 1 2/3 innings on four hits and a walk.

Kevin Siegrist put four runners on base in 2 1/3 innings, but only one scored.

Tyler Lyons had a good news, bad news day. Three of his four outs were collected by strikeout, but he also yielded two hits and three walks. Amazingly none of them crossed the plate.

Lefty Dean Kiekhefer scattered a pair of harmless walks over two innings. He fanned one.

Quad Cities #1 hitting

Catcher Audry Perez singled and homered in three at-bats.

Multi-tooled outfielder Oscar Taveras singled twice in three at-bats and swiped two bases.

Coming back after having missed most of 2010, outfielder Kyle Conley doubled and scored a run.

Packy Elkins singled and drove in one.

Quad Cities #2 (2-1) 6, Marlins 5th team 3

Quad Cities #2 Pitching

Angel DeJesus gave up all three Marlins runs in 2 1/3 innings in four hits and two walks. He fanned two.

Boone Whiting scattered just three hits over 3 2/3 scoreless. He fanned four.

Charllan Jimenez allowed just one baserunner over two shutout frames.

Wilson Matos fanned two in a perfect inning.

Quad Cities #2 hitting

Kleininger Teran had two singles in three at-bats, added a sacrifice fly and ended with three RBI.

Steven Ramos singled, walked, scored twice and drove in one.

Colin Walsh was on base three times with a single and two walks in four plate appearances. He scored twice and drove in one.

Virgil Hill tripled and scored in two at-bats.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/21

Following are the highlights from the sixth day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Monday, March 21. The top two teams played in Jupiter against their New York Mets counterparts while Palm Beach and Quad Cities boarded the buses to travel to Port St. Lucie.

In addition, the Cardinals Quad Cities #2 squad played their annual game against the Gildea’s Raiders traveling team, defeating them on a five-inning no hitter for the 20th time in 21 years, avenging a 2010 loss. After the 4-1 day, the Cardinals system is a combined 11-8-5 this spring.

Today’s photo is of Player of the Day Trevor Rosenthal. The right-hander struck out nine of his 12 batters retired over four perfect innings. If there is an emerging prospect I missed last winter, it is Rosenthal. Look for our interview coming for The Cardinal Nation subscribers.

On Tuesday, the Cardinals face the Marlins in five games on the home side of the Jupiter complex. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, with the comments mine.

Memphis (2-1-2) 2, Buffalo 0

Memphis pitching

Pitching was the name of the game. Shaking off the likely disappointment of getting just one “A” game appearance in spring camp, P.J. Walters tossed six scoreless innings. He allowed five baserunners and fanned five.

Nick Additon fanned one in two scoreless.

Jason Buursma allowed one hit in one inning, but he was erased on a double-play grounder.

Memphis hitting

Yesterday’s Player of the Day Andrew Brown doubled twice and scored in three at-bats.

Bryan Anderson stroked a bases-empty home run.

Tommy Pham and Ramon Vazquez each doubled.

Springfield (2-0-3) 3, Binghamton 2

Springfield Pitching

Deryk Hooker fanned one in two scoreless innings. Pitching coordinator Dyar Miller told me that Hooker was throwing especially well in early camp.

Brett Zawacki yielded a pair of runs in two innings, though only one was earned. He allowed three hits and fanned two.

Ryan Kulik allowed two hits and fanned one in two clean frames.

Jesse Simpson, Samuel Freeman and Casey Mulligan finished up with a scoreless inning each.

Springfield hitting

D’Marcus Ingram singled, doubled, stole a base, scored twice, including the winning run on a wild pitch in four at-bats.

Ryan Jackson singled, tripled, scored, and drove in one in four at-bats.

Palm Beach (4-2) 6, St. Lucie 3

Palm Beach pitching

Maikel Cleto went 2 2/3 on just one hit and two walks. The 40-man roster hurler allowed one run and fanned four.

Jorge Rondon yielded just one run on two hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings. He struck out three.

Chris Corrigan gave up one run in 1 1/3 innings despite giving up just one hit. He fanned one.

Justin Wright (1 K), Chase Reid (2 K’s) and Matt Frevert (1 K) covered the final 2 2/3 shutout innings.

Palm Beach hitting

Edgar Lara singled and homered with two RBIs in two at-bats.

C.J. Beatty was on base all four times with two singles and two walks. He scored and drove in two. It was a good enough performance to earn Player of the Day honors most days.

Travis Tartamella singled, doubled and scored twice.

Devin Goodwin singled and drove in two.

Frederick Parejo tripled.

Francisco Rivera doubled.

Savannah 14, Quad Cities (2-4) 5

Quad Cities #1 pitching

Heralded prospect Carlos Martinez is human. He allowed one run in 2 1/3 innings on four hits and a walk. The 19-year-old struck out two.

Two runs scored against Nick McCully over two innings, but only one was earned. He struck out three.

Ricky Martinez allowed five baserunners and two runs in 1 2/3 innings. Palm Beach pitching coach Dennis Martinez’ son fanned one.

Drew Benes had a very rough day at the office, allowing five runs in just 1/3 inning as the close game got away.

Cale Johnson also struggled, getting touched for four runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Quad Cities #1 hitting

Jonathan Rodriguez doubled, homered and scored twice in four at-bats.

Cody Stanley singled, doubled, and drove in two in three at-bats.

Victor Sanchez and Chris Edmondson doubled.

Quad Cities #2 (1-1) 4, Gildea’s Raiders 0 (5 innings)

Quad Cities #2 pitching

Trevor Rosenthal fanned nine in four perfect innings.

Aidan Lucas walked a batter during his inning and fanned two.

Quad Cities #2 hitting

Roberto DeLaCruz singled twice in three at-bats.

Starlin Rodriguez singled, walked, was hit by a pitch and scored three runs.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/20

Following are the highlights from the fifth day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Sunday, March 20. On a camp day, Memphis and Springfield played as did Palm Beach and Quad Cities. After the by-default .500 day, in this case, 1-1-2, the Cardinals system is a combined 7-7-5 this spring.

Today’s photo is of Player of the Day Andrew Brown.

On Monday, the Cardinals face the Mets. The top two teams will play in Jupiter while Palm Beach and Quad Cities board the buses to travel to Port St. Lucie. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, but the comments mine.

Memphis (1-1-2) 5, Springfield (1-0-3) 5 (5 inning game)

Memphis pitching

Adam Ottavino had a rough day as he was touched for all five Springfield runs in two innings. He yielded five hits and two walks, but fanned four.

Chuckie Fick and Rich Rundles combined for 2 2/3 shutout innings on a total of three hits and three strikeouts.

Memphis hitting

Andrew Brown had a single and two doubles in three at-bats, scored twice, and starred with the glove, too. He made a diving play at first base to save a run. The versatile Brown can also play third base and the outfield.

Freddie Bynum, a shortstop signed to a minor league deal in the off-season, had a pair of singles in three at-bats.

Ramon Vazquez, also signed from the outside and is down from MLB camp, walked twice and doubled in three plate appearances. He scored and collected an RBI.

Daryl Jones, a former system player of the year, but an almost forgotten man, singled in two at-bats and plated two.

Tyler Henley singled and had an RBI.

Springfield pitching

Shelby Miller, the top prospect in the system, was far from perfect. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings. Miller fanned three.

Eric Fornataro yielded three hits and a run in 1 2/3 frames.

Aaron Terry was the only Springfield pitcher to keep Memphis off the board, striking out one in his inning of work.

Jose Rada yielded a run on three baserunners allowed in just 2/3 inning.

Springfield hitting

Jarred Bogany singled and tripled in two at-bats and drove in two.

Matt Adams singled and doubled in three at-bats. He scored and collected an RBI.

Chris Swauger (RBI) and Zack Cox (run) each went 2-for-3.

D’Marcus Ingram walked, stole a base and scored.

Quad Cities (2-3) 3, Palm Beach (3-2) 2 (6 innings)

Palm Beach pitching

Seth Blair yielded two runs, one earned in 1 2/3 innings on one hit, but three walks. The 2010 supplemental first-rounder fanned four.

Keith Butler allowed just one hit and no runs in 1 2/3 innings.

Sean Watson, tryout player, allowed one earned run in two innings.

Palm Beach hitting

Edgar Lara doubled and scored.

Yunier Castillo singled and scored in two at-bats.

Michael Swinson collected a two-out RBI single.

Quad Cities pitching

Jordan Swagerty is getting stretched out, allowing one earned run in three innings. The former Arizona State closer and college teammate of his mound opponent Blair yielded three hits and a walk and fanned three.

Daniel Calhoun gave up one run in two innings despite yielding just one hit. He struck out three.

Josh Squatrito walked two and struck out one in 2/3 inning.

Quad Cities hitting

Starlin Rodriguez, who spent most of 2010 in the Gulf Coast League, doubled and scored. So did Matt Valaika.

Jonathan Rodriguez doubled.

Mike O’Neill walked and scored

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Walton on RotoWire Fantasy Sports Today on Sirius/XM Monday

I will be returning as one of the guests of co-hosts Jeff Erickson and Derek Van Riper on RotoWire’s Fantasy Sports Today show on satellite radio. My segment can be heard live starting at 1:00 P.M. Eastern on Monday, March 21. The place is Sirius 211 / XM 147.

Our focus will be on fantasy baseball, specifically Sunday’s National League Tout Wars draft held at MLB Advanced Media’s offices in New York City. There will certainly be some St. Louis Cardinals talk sprinkled in, too, as I am fresh from my annual Grapefruit League trip, where I also saw the Mets, Tigers, Braves, Marlins and Twins.

For 2011, RotoWire’s Fantasy Sports Today show is back on Sirius / XM live, Monday through Friday from 11 A.M. – 2 P.M. ET. The call-in number is 888-XM-FANTASY and listener participation is encouraged.

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Cardinals Minor League Spring Training Notebook: 03/19

Following are the highlights from the fourth day of St. Louis Cardinals minor league games in spring 2011, on Saturday, March 19. Due to the major league split squad games, Memphis and Springfield did not play. Palm Beach and the two Quad Cities teams all played their Florida counterparts on the Marlins’ side of the complex. After the 2-1 day, the Cardinals system is a combined 6-6-3 this spring.

Today’s photo is of Player of the Day Zach Russell.

On Sunday, the Cardinals have another camp day. The top two teams will play each other as will Palm Beach and Quad Cities. For the full state of minor league spring training schedules, The Cardinal Nation subscribers can click here.

As he has been doing the last few seasons, Cardinals farm director John Vuch is sharing game highlights with this site and several others with interest in Cardinals prospects. As always, the raw data is his, but the comments mine.

Palm Beach 6, Jupiter 5

Palm Beach pitching

Apparently to get some work, Memphis reliever Adam Reifer was given the start. He fanned one in his inning of work.

Richard Castillo, who pitched for Palm Beach last year, went two innings and fanned one and yielded just one hit.

Andrew Moss yielded two runs in two innings and Justin Smth fared even worse, giving up three earned runs in 1 1/3 frames.

Nick Greenwood fanned four in 1 2/3 innings and Matt Frevert bookended Reifer with an identical outing, but also earned the save.

Palm Beach hitting

Nick Longmire had a pair of singles and scored once in four at-bats.

Francisco Rivera was on base twice with a single and a base on balls.

Alan Ahmady doubled, walked and scored.

Edgar Lara, a young man that has the physical appearance of a player, hit a long two-run home run.

Quad Cities #1 6, Greensboro 5

Quad Cities #1 pitching

Anthony Ferrera started and yielded all five Greensboro runs on eight hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings. He did fan two.

Zach Russell came in next and collected seven outs without allowing a baserunner. He collected five groundouts and two strikeouts.

Justin Edwards had a pair of scoreless frames and Cale Johnson, Chase Reid and Dean Kiekhefer (two strikeouts) each spun a shutout inning.

Quad Cities #1 hitting

Romulo Ruiz and Jonathan Rodriguez singled, doubled and walked. Ruiz crossed the plate twice and Rodriguez scored the game-winner on a passed ball.

Matt Valaika singled, doubled and drove in one.

Adam Melker singled and walked twice.

Victor Sanchez doubled, walked, scored and had an RBI.

Chrisr Edmondson singled and plated two.

Virgil Hill singled, walked and scored.

Jamestown 9, Quad Cities #2 5

Quad Cities #2 pitching

Hector Hernandez started and fanned two in his two innings.

Boone Whiting yielded five runs in his 1 2/3 frames on five hits and a walk.

Scott Bittle, coming off shoulder surgery, allowed four baserunners, three of whom scored in just 2/3 of an inning.

Wilson Matos gave up six hits and two runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Drew Benes finished with a one-hit inning.

Quad Cities #2 hitting

Steven Ramos had three singles, a double, and an RBI on a sacrifice fly in five plate appearances.

Roberto DeLaCruz doubled and collected a pair of RBI

Ross Smith had a pair of singles in four at-bats.

German Medina singled, walked, scored and plated two.

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