JJ discusses possibly playing 3rd base for Cardinals

[An Old Friend]

I still haven't heard a rational explanation of why he was at SS in the minor leagues in 2025 when that is the only position on the infield that he will not play.

You typically don’t move someone down the defensive spectrum until you have to.

And for what it’s worth, he played 35% of his innings in Memphis at either 3B (12 starts) or 2B (3 starts). It’s not like he only played SS.

If he actually could play 3B, then it solves some issues assuming Nado is gone. I didn't like what I saw of Gorman at 3B defensively (to put it politely on Xmas). Saggese doesn't have the arm for it. Fermin, ok, be he is a nice high avg hitter with no pop. Of course if Donovan isn't traded.... but he probably will be. I have not seen JJW throw, so no idea if he has the arm for it either, but SS requires a decent arm, so just assuming his arm is decent. Anyway, it will all sort out once ST arrives and we see who is still on the roster.

Wouldn't it be nice to know that already? The only position he won't play in St Louis is SS and yet that's where they had him in the minors.

Why are you telling yourself that they didn’t play him at 3B and 2B in Memphis?

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Why are you telling yourself that they didn’t play him at 3B and 2B in Memphis?

Is there a pro shortstop alive today who played his entire career at shortstop and couldn’t play second or third?

[ecleme22]

Why are you telling yourself that they didn’t play him at 3B and 2B in Memphis?

Is there a pro shortstop alive today who played his entire career at shortstop and couldn’t play second or third?

Scotch is fixated with finding a negative aspect of every story.

[ScotchMIrish]

I still haven't heard a rational explanation of why he was at SS in the minor leagues in 2025 when that is the only position on the infield that he will not play.

You typically don’t move someone down the defensive spectrum until you have to.

And for what it’s worth, he played 35% of his innings in Memphis at either 3B (12 starts) or 2B (3 starts). It’s not like he only played SS.

If he actually could play 3B, then it solves some issues assuming Nado is gone. I didn't like what I saw of Gorman at 3B defensively (to put it politely on Xmas). Saggese doesn't have the arm for it. Fermin, ok, be he is a nice high avg hitter with no pop. Of course if Donovan isn't traded.... but he probably will be. I have not seen JJW throw, so no idea if he has the arm for it either, but SS requires a decent arm, so just assuming his arm is decent. Anyway, it will all sort out once ST arrives and we see who is still on the roster.

Wouldn't it be nice to know that already? The only position he won't play in St Louis is SS and yet that's where they had him in the minors.

Why are you telling yourself that they didn’t play him at 3B and 2B in Memphis?

61 games at SS. 20 games at 2B. 12 games at 3B. They only position he won't play in St Louis is SS. Now the plan is to find out whether he can play 3B or 2B? That's what the minor leagues are supposed to be for.

Makes no sense to me.

[An Old Friend]

I still haven't heard a rational explanation of why he was at SS in the minor leagues in 2025 when that is the only position on the infield that he will not play.

You typically don’t move someone down the defensive spectrum until you have to.

And for what it’s worth, he played 35% of his innings in Memphis at either 3B (12 starts) or 2B (3 starts). It’s not like he only played SS.

If he actually could play 3B, then it solves some issues assuming Nado is gone. I didn't like what I saw of Gorman at 3B defensively (to put it politely on Xmas). Saggese doesn't have the arm for it. Fermin, ok, be he is a nice high avg hitter with no pop. Of course if Donovan isn't traded.... but he probably will be. I have not seen JJW throw, so no idea if he has the arm for it either, but SS requires a decent arm, so just assuming his arm is decent. Anyway, it will all sort out once ST arrives and we see who is still on the roster.

Wouldn't it be nice to know that already? The only position he won't play in St Louis is SS and yet that's where they had him in the minors.

Why are you telling yourself that they didn’t play him at 3B and 2B in Memphis?

61 games at SS. 20 games at 2B. 12 games at 3B. They only position he won't play in St Louis is SS. Now the plan is to find out whether he can play 3B or 2B? That's what the minor leagues are supposed to be for.

Makes no sense to me.

They literally played him at the positions that you previously complained that they didn’t do.

Just admit that your complaint makes no sense. You have to know it’s dumb.

[riff raff]

Its pretty obvious JJ's position will be determined by who gets traded. At least for 2026.

[CCard]

Good. Could be a great move. Keep Donovan at second. Best infield in the league.

I wouldn't be against it if he can man the corner and put up some decent numbers.

It’s been awhile. Since there was a George Brett type third baseman. 40 ish years. That’s my vision.

We can only hope Dog. It's big shoes to fill though. It'd be nice to see what we have with him.

[An Old Friend]

Why are you telling yourself that they didn’t play him at 3B and 2B in Memphis?

Is there a pro shortstop alive today who played his entire career at shortstop and couldn’t play second or third?

I don’t know of many that never move off the position. Many obviously head to 3B. The only guy off the top of my head that didn’t have an arm for 3B was Eckstein.

[ramfandan]

He's not going to be at 3rd base

He'll be standing on 2nd base opening day and should be inked in there all season.

Good.. another poster that agrees that he is a 2nd baseman long term.

[ramfandan]

Why are you telling yourself that they didn’t play him at 3B and 2B in Memphis?

Is there a pro shortstop alive today who played his entire career at shortstop and couldn’t play second or third?

I don’t know of many that never move off the position. Many obviously head to 3B. The only guy off the top of my head that didn’t have an arm for 3B was Eckstein.

In addition to arm strength got 3rd base is ‘arm accuracy’. Some can get the ball across the field nit are wide left, right, in the dirt, and some wild high. Arenado made it look easy…Gorman much less and yet to see how accurate JJ is. Arenado is tough act to follow.

[rockondlouie]

He's not going to be at 3rd base

He'll be standing on 2nd base opening day and should be inked in there all season.

Good.. another poster that agrees that he is a 2nd baseman long term.

100%

I've got a little experience at the position and after watching some film I think the kids going to be a very, very good defensive 2nd baseman.

I'd ink him at 2nd for as long as he's a Cardinal, no way he plays 3rd base.

But it's that elite bat I'm pumped about, this kid could hit .315+ every year once he settles in w/a near .400 OB%!

[An Old Friend]

Why are you telling yourself that they didn’t play him at 3B and 2B in Memphis?

Is there a pro shortstop alive today who played his entire career at shortstop and couldn’t play second or third?

I don’t know of many that never move off the position. Many obviously head to 3B. The only guy off the top of my head that didn’t have an arm for 3B was Eckstein.

In addition to arm strength got 3rd base is ‘arm accuracy’. Some can get the ball across the field nit are wide left, right, in the dirt, and some wild high. Arenado made it look easy…Gorman much less and yet to see how accurate JJ is. Arenado is tough act to follow.

Don’t compare them. We don’t need to.

I have a hard time judging Gorman - they had him switch to second and then just throw him back at third where’d gotten very few game reps… there should’ve been no expectation that it would be anything but difficult.

[Hoosier59]

I don’t really have a preference which position JJ plays, but there are some writers and journalists that believe he’ll start the year in Memphis. I can’t quite get on board with that. I guess it has to do with his years of control, but I don’t like them messing with him.

Also I’d be curious to see what kind of numbers Fermin would put up if given over 100 games played. I could see him getting time at 3 infield positions and in LF, plus some DH duty.
The same could be said of Bryan Torres. The last two seasons, he’s been an on base machine! Obviously he’s not going to duplicate his.441 OB%, but makes you wonder just how much of a drop off would it be? I mean .380 is still pretty darn good! He could be a run scoring machine!
Most teams and probably fans too don’t give him much thought because he has little to no power, but he has good speed, draws a lot of walks, and gets base hits! He’d be an ideal table setter if given the opportunity. I was really surprised when he was added to the 40 man roster. He’s the kind of player that Mo would have just let walk.

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

I just hope he can hit both handed pitchers.

[An Old Friend]

I just hope he can hit both handed pitchers.

.278 with a .372 OBP and an .880 OPS vs lefties in 2025
.319 with a .442 OBP and a .953 OPS vs righties in 2025

[Goldfan]

I just hope he can hit both handed pitchers.

.278 with a .372 OBP and an .880 OPS vs lefties in 2025
.319 with a .442 OBP and a .953 OPS vs righties in 2025

He can hit