Coming into spring training, the St. Louis Cardinals new manager Mike Matheny and general manager John Mozeliak practically handed the second base job to former first round draft pick Tyler Greene.
Many believed that the job was Greene's to lose, especially since he was out of options to go back to the minor leagues, as the organization would finally make a commitment to the prospect and give him the chance to play everyday. The former shortstop who has been moved to second base has only accumulated 316 at bats over three seasons as a member of the Cardinals on a part-time basis.
Unfortunately for Greene, he choked his opportunity away as the Cardinals announced via their team website that the second base duties would be split between Greene and infielder Daniel Descalso.
It is a shame that Greene could not take advantage of the enormous opportunity the that was given to him. The Cardinals would have been better off with his speed and power threat in the lineup and Greene may have finally been able to lose the "bust" tag that he has earned at the Major League level.
Instead, Greene will split time with Descalso, who is clearly the superior defender and was a player the Cardinals had originally planned to use as a super-utility player.
While Matheny and the Cardinals are not saying that either has won or lost the competition and that both would play as match-ups dictate, the fact that Greene could not claim the job outright is proof that he actually lost the battle.
Greene blew a golden opportunity and unfortunately for the Cardinals it looks like a platoon situation has surfaced at second base.
Greene lost a chance to play everyday and because the Cardinals now must use Descalso in a more regular role, the team may have lost in the long-run too.
Many believed that the job was Greene's to lose, especially since he was out of options to go back to the minor leagues, as the organization would finally make a commitment to the prospect and give him the chance to play everyday. The former shortstop who has been moved to second base has only accumulated 316 at bats over three seasons as a member of the Cardinals on a part-time basis.
Unfortunately for Greene, he choked his opportunity away as the Cardinals announced via their team website that the second base duties would be split between Greene and infielder Daniel Descalso.
It is a shame that Greene could not take advantage of the enormous opportunity the that was given to him. The Cardinals would have been better off with his speed and power threat in the lineup and Greene may have finally been able to lose the "bust" tag that he has earned at the Major League level.
Instead, Greene will split time with Descalso, who is clearly the superior defender and was a player the Cardinals had originally planned to use as a super-utility player.
While Matheny and the Cardinals are not saying that either has won or lost the competition and that both would play as match-ups dictate, the fact that Greene could not claim the job outright is proof that he actually lost the battle.
Greene blew a golden opportunity and unfortunately for the Cardinals it looks like a platoon situation has surfaced at second base.
Greene lost a chance to play everyday and because the Cardinals now must use Descalso in a more regular role, the team may have lost in the long-run too.
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