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At age 36, Carpenter led the NL in IP’ed in ’11 with 237.1 and then worked an additional 36 IP’ed in the ’11 post-season. He obviously gave the Redbirds every last bit of steam he had left in ’11 as witnessed by only 17.0 IP’ed in a regualr season for the remainder of his career. Chris Carpenter was well beyond the definition of an “ace.” He was a genuine warhorse who closed ranks and battled until his munitions were entirely spent.
Flaherty has pitched like an ace when healthy.
Mikolas has pitched like an ace when healthy.
Waino has pitched like an ace at times.
Monty has pitched like an ace at times.
Quintana pitched like an ace against Philly last season.You just never know.
Let’s get back to those power hitters, though.
Goldy – 35 HRs last season
Arenado – 30 HRs last season
Contreras – 22 HRs last season
Gorman – 30 HRS last season (AAA and MLB)
O’Neill – 34 HRs in injury free 2021 season
Carlson – 18 HRs last season (26 in 2019 at AA & AAA)
Nootbaar – 14 HRs in only 347 PAs last season on Cardinals
Yepez – 28 HRs last season between AAA and MLB
Burleson – 21 HR last season between AAA and MLB
Walker – 19 HRs last season at AA. 5 more in AFL.
Gomez – 39 HRS last season. Lead all minor leaguers
Dejong – 30 HR in 2019 before going into a funk.Can anyone remember that kind of power up and down the system?
That’s quite a few minor league taters included on the list. It’d be nice if they counted in the Big Leagues, but that’s a lot easier said than done. At any rate, the Redbirds were a bit above the middle of the pack in team HR’s last season and that’s pretty good. However, taters always taste better when served up with baserunners aboard. Goldy and Nado are both going to collect 30 HR’s in ’23. Obviously the key is to reach base in front of those two guys. A good way to make that happen would be to never place guys with a .394 OBP in the 5 slot.
Some of the list is just potential, obviously. But I’ve been following the Cardinals since the 1950s and that’s the most power “potential” I’ve ever seen in the system. Other posters may have seem as much or more.
As far as pitching is concerned, why don’t we see if Mikolas and Flaherty are healthy and pitching like “aces” this season
before we jump to any conclusions. Both have pitched like “aces” in the past.Well, it’s been pointed out that the recent pattern suggests that it’s probably what their approach will be. If things don’t fall into place, Johnny gets busy in late July and does his best to snag a reinforcement or two.
I agree crany, Mo should ride the horses he’s got. If and when they drop, Mo will need to see about new ones.
I agree with Cranny in that this is most powerful group of players we have had in recent memory, in terms of proven ability and potential.
Now historically Cardinal teams have been more defense, speed and pitching oriented. Some late ‘90s and early 2000s teams had good power, but not the depth of potential that is in the organization right now.
I like what was said about management taking more time with the young guys and not being so willing to let guys go. It seems they discount athleticism. But you have a guy who can run and has shown power, man, you really need to give him a lot of reps and not look at say just strikeouts and think he won’t make it in the bigs.
I am not sure on this, but it seems like in my 60 years or so of following the Cardinals, on a net basis they have given up more wins than they have acquired. Some notable exceptions, Brock, Wainwright. But a lot of talent has been given up that has done well elsewhere.
Two addition players that haven’t been discussed much are Joshua Baez and Won-Bin Cho. Both are talented and excellent looking athletes. Baez is a 6’4” 220 lbs. 19 years old. Cho is 6’3” 200 lbs. Also 19 years old.
Two more players to track this coming season.
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