Since failing to resign Albert Pujols to a long term contract extension, the St. Louis Cardinals have been quite active in filling key holes in the team's roster. The Cardinals brought back shortstop Rafael Furcal and resigned Skip Schumaker, who is expected to fill more of a reserve role for the Cardinals in 2012.
An interesting member of the leftover roster from last season is Tyler Greene. The former first round pick figures to be on the team in 2012 as he is out of options. But with Furcal penciled in at shortstop, it looks as though Greene's chance at playing time at his natural position is blocked once again.
But why not try Tyler Greene at second base? Why not give the kid a shot at everyday playing time for the first time in his Major League career? Here is the case for Tyler Greene at second base in 2012 for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Everybody knows that former manager Tony La Russa can be particularly tough on young players, especially young players who are annointed as top prospects. La Russa's issues with players like Colby Rasmus are well documented and many believe that Greene constantly felt the pressure from La Russa to perform and never was able to get comfortable in a Cardinals uniform.
So how do we know, with La Russa retired, that given everyday playing time and with a vote of confidence from new manager Mike Matheny, that Greene would not thrive if given a chance to play every day at second base?
Greene has just 359 career at bats in the big leagues, hitting just .218, over three dis-jointed, fragmented seasons in a Cardinals uniform. That is barely a half season of at bats. And those at bats came at various times, rarely in consecutive days, and rarely while playing the same position. Greene has seen time for the Cardinals at shortstop, third base, second base, center field, and left field. So it is understandable how Greene has never had a chance to get comfortable.
Greene has proved at the minor league level that he can be an offensive force when given a chance. In 66 games played in 2011 at Triple AAA Memphis, Greene hit for .323 batting average with 14 home runs, 43 RBI's, and 19 stolen bases.
Greene has shown at the minor league level, when given regular time, that he can be an explosive offensive player with the ability to hit for power and possibly most importantly, give the team an element of speed that this club. without Pujols, will need in order to score runs.
Greene told B.J. Rains of FoxSportsMidwest.com that he recognizes that it is important that his minor league success translate to the Major League level and his working to prepare to do that in 2012.
An interesting member of the leftover roster from last season is Tyler Greene. The former first round pick figures to be on the team in 2012 as he is out of options. But with Furcal penciled in at shortstop, it looks as though Greene's chance at playing time at his natural position is blocked once again.
But why not try Tyler Greene at second base? Why not give the kid a shot at everyday playing time for the first time in his Major League career? Here is the case for Tyler Greene at second base in 2012 for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Everybody knows that former manager Tony La Russa can be particularly tough on young players, especially young players who are annointed as top prospects. La Russa's issues with players like Colby Rasmus are well documented and many believe that Greene constantly felt the pressure from La Russa to perform and never was able to get comfortable in a Cardinals uniform.
So how do we know, with La Russa retired, that given everyday playing time and with a vote of confidence from new manager Mike Matheny, that Greene would not thrive if given a chance to play every day at second base?
Greene has just 359 career at bats in the big leagues, hitting just .218, over three dis-jointed, fragmented seasons in a Cardinals uniform. That is barely a half season of at bats. And those at bats came at various times, rarely in consecutive days, and rarely while playing the same position. Greene has seen time for the Cardinals at shortstop, third base, second base, center field, and left field. So it is understandable how Greene has never had a chance to get comfortable.
Greene has proved at the minor league level that he can be an offensive force when given a chance. In 66 games played in 2011 at Triple AAA Memphis, Greene hit for .323 batting average with 14 home runs, 43 RBI's, and 19 stolen bases.
Greene has shown at the minor league level, when given regular time, that he can be an explosive offensive player with the ability to hit for power and possibly most importantly, give the team an element of speed that this club. without Pujols, will need in order to score runs.
Greene told B.J. Rains of FoxSportsMidwest.com that he recognizes that it is important that his minor league success translate to the Major League level and his working to prepare to do that in 2012.
"I do believe that. That's what I've been working for this offseason, just to make sure that I'm ready and to give myself the best opportunity this spring to try and get in that lineup every day and really be able to show what I can do on a consistent basis."
Greene has shown that he can be a threat on the basepaths at the MLB level. Greene, despite playing in just 58 games for the Cardinals in 2011, stole a team high 11 bases.
So with La Russa gone and opening at second base, Greene's potential could be untapped if given the opportunity to play everyday at second base. Greene could be a bottom of the order threat both with power and speed and can help deepen an already talented Cardinals lineup.
The Cardinals and general manager John Mozeliak have publicly indicated their preference for Daniel Descalso to get a chance at everyday time at second base. And Descalso is a nice player. But he does not offer the potential upside with the bat and with his legs that Greene does and can be a fall back if Greene struggles if given the chance to play.
For many Cardinals fans, Tyler Greene has truly been an enigma, but the potential of Tyler Greene is the best option at second base.
The Cardinals should give Tyler Greene a legit chance at second base in 2012. Everyone may be pleasantly surprised by the results.
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