Just eleven years ago a hot young prospect made quite an impression during spring training but was initially unable to make the St. Louis Cardinals due to the MLB roster being full. Thanks to an injury to key veteran on that year's ballclub, then Cardinals manager Tony La Russa had no choice but take that sweet-swinging prospect to the big leagues with him and back to St. Louis. Of course, that prospect was Albert Pujols.
Fast forward to 2012 and another young Cardinals prospect is trying his best to make it hard new Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to leave him off the roster.
First baseman Matt Adams, who is just 23 years of age, hit his second home run of the spring in helping the Cardinals to a 9-6 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday afternoon.
Adams is hitting .300 this spring, collecting nine hits in 30 at bats. His pair of dingers are tied for most on the club with third baseman David Freese and his eight RBI's are a team high.
The left-handed swinging Adams, who is six foot, three inches and 230 pounds, has consistently shown in the early spring that his bat is already major league ready. But much like Pujols eleven years ago, there just does not seem to be room on the Cardinals major league roster.
Veteran Lance Berkman figures to be penciled in at first base and when Allen Craig returns from his knee injury, Craig figures to be Berkman's replacement as needed.
Knowing that Adams is capable of hitting at the major league level has to be a plus for Matheny and general manager John Mozeliak. The organization has him on-call at any time.
Despite the similarities as to how well Adams is playing and being blocked at the major league level, it is highly unlikely that Adams is the next Pujols. Albert Pujols is a once in a lifetime player.
But if this spring training is any indication of the future and what Adams may bring to the table when he is called upon to put on the Cardinals uniform, Adams, while not Albert Pujols, should be a very fine hitter at the major league level.
Fast forward to 2012 and another young Cardinals prospect is trying his best to make it hard new Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to leave him off the roster.
First baseman Matt Adams, who is just 23 years of age, hit his second home run of the spring in helping the Cardinals to a 9-6 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday afternoon.
Adams is hitting .300 this spring, collecting nine hits in 30 at bats. His pair of dingers are tied for most on the club with third baseman David Freese and his eight RBI's are a team high.
The left-handed swinging Adams, who is six foot, three inches and 230 pounds, has consistently shown in the early spring that his bat is already major league ready. But much like Pujols eleven years ago, there just does not seem to be room on the Cardinals major league roster.
Veteran Lance Berkman figures to be penciled in at first base and when Allen Craig returns from his knee injury, Craig figures to be Berkman's replacement as needed.
Knowing that Adams is capable of hitting at the major league level has to be a plus for Matheny and general manager John Mozeliak. The organization has him on-call at any time.
Despite the similarities as to how well Adams is playing and being blocked at the major league level, it is highly unlikely that Adams is the next Pujols. Albert Pujols is a once in a lifetime player.
But if this spring training is any indication of the future and what Adams may bring to the table when he is called upon to put on the Cardinals uniform, Adams, while not Albert Pujols, should be a very fine hitter at the major league level.
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