Does anyone else think Church could be a great surprise?

[Carp4Cy]

I really like the kid. I'm usually wrong, but I like his tools. His speed is a mirror of Scott and so is the D. He looks like his bat to ball skills are superior to Scott"s. Would like to see those two battle it out and may the best man win!

We were 29tb in HRs and just traded our HR leader. We need more than glove only guys for our OF.

The Cardinals need Gorman's and Walker's bats to come alive this season. It would help the power shortage, immensely.

That would be the surprise we need, but without a better hitting coach it would be a surprise indeed

Kind of like trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result

[3dender]

I really like the kid. I'm usually wrong, but I like his tools. His speed is a mirror of Scott and so is the D. He looks like his bat to ball skills are superior to Scott"s. Would like to see those two battle it out and may the best man win!

We were 29tb in HRs and just traded our HR leader. We need more than glove only guys for our OF.

You talk as if competing this year is a top priority for them, but it's not.

[Carp4Cy]

I really like the kid. I'm usually wrong, but I like his tools. His speed is a mirror of Scott and so is the D. He looks like his bat to ball skills are superior to Scott"s. Would like to see those two battle it out and may the best man win!

We were 29tb in HRs and just traded our HR leader. We need more than glove only guys for our OF.

You talk as if competing this year is a top priority for them, but it's not.

If we aren’t developing multiple future all stars and MOTO bats, are we even making progress towards future competing?

Every other rebuilding team seems to have a better true power bat that we have in their system. A”s, Pirates, Nats.

Rockies don’t count bc they don’t care.

[renostl]

I really like the kid. I'm usually wrong, but I like his tools. His speed is a mirror of Scott and so is the D. He looks like his bat to ball skills are superior to Scott"s. Would like to see those two battle it out and may the best man win!

Define what a "surprise" from Church might be.
.250 BA / 310 OBP and 250 20206 Pa's?
Something lees, something more?

No definition.......just better than expected

Which leaves the same question.
What are your expectations?

.270 avg.; 350 obp; Solid D; 20-30 SBs.........just a solid season.

That would make him a better player at the MLB level than he was as a minor leaguer.
Simply an observation.

With all due respect......do you just want to argue? I'm high on life and love my Cards. I only get on here for fun. If what I said provoked you in some way.....please accept my apology........otherwise....just ignore this old man. Thanks in advance.

Your numbers were under his 2025.
His 2025 MiLB had excellent numbers as most are aware.
.329/.386/.524

That said a .350 OBP would be in the surprise column. It would also place him as
a LO candidate for the Cardinals and maybe the CF starter depending on others.

[Absolut]

It’s kind of the same thing each Sunday.

[renostl]

Church has 65 total plate appearances and 56 at bats in 43 days on the roster yet we think "we know what we have".

but we are still wondering about Gorman and Walker becoming superstars after just a few more at bats over 3 years.

I dont have high hopes for him offensively as a corner outfielder but if he can get on base a lot he could be very useful.

IMHO, he would be better than Walker has been and could be better than Scott in CF. Scott probably has more range, but Church has a better arm and might be able to reach base more often... or might not. We don't know what we have.

Excellent points.

The difference in VS2 sprint speed and Church's is about 30.2 ft/sec to 28.7 ft/sec in 2025
which can be offset by jumps, routs, and arm. As of now, ideally one is a CF while the other
is a D replacement. That said we can probably get to see both get playing time at the same
time with the situation of Nootbaar and Walker. No more .584 OPS from the corner
"bat" guys.

[3dender]

I really like the kid. I'm usually wrong, but I like his tools. His speed is a mirror of Scott and so is the D. He looks like his bat to ball skills are superior to Scott"s. Would like to see those two battle it out and may the best man win!

We were 29tb in HRs and just traded our HR leader. We need more than glove only guys for our OF.

You talk as if competing this year is a top priority for them, but it's not.

If we aren’t developing multiple future all stars and MOTO bats, are we even making progress towards future competing?

Every other rebuilding team seems to have a better true power bat that we have in their system. A”s, Pirates, Nats.

Rockies don’t count bc they don’t care.

All 3 teams you listed have been drafting at the top of the draft for like a decade, or trading generational stars for top prospects, or both.

[hmoss859]

He should get a run, maybe 4-6 weeks and see what he's got.
Profile very iffy, metrics very iffy.
But can run, Field and throw.
Hitting is the hardest part as plate discipline has to improve at MLB level.

[Carp4Cy]

I really like the kid. I'm usually wrong, but I like his tools. His speed is a mirror of Scott and so is the D. He looks like his bat to ball skills are superior to Scott"s. Would like to see those two battle it out and may the best man win!

We were 29tb in HRs and just traded our HR leader. We need more than glove only guys for our OF.

You talk as if competing this year is a top priority for them, but it's not.

If we aren’t developing multiple future all stars and MOTO bats, are we even making progress towards future competing?

Every other rebuilding team seems to have a better true power bat that we have in their system. A”s, Pirates, Nats.

Rockies don’t count bc they don’t care.

All 3 teams you listed have been drafting at the top of the draft for like a decade, or trading generational stars for top prospects, or both.

Konnor Griffin was still on the board when we drafted.

[imetsatchelpaige]

I really like the kid. I'm usually wrong, but I like his tools. His speed is a mirror of Scott and so is the D. He looks like his bat to ball skills are superior to Scott"s. Would like to see those two battle it out and may the best man win!

We were 29tb in HRs and just traded our HR leader. We need more than glove only guys for our OF.

The Cardinals need Gorman's and Walker's bats to come alive this season. It would help the power shortage, immensely.

In other news, rain is wet.

[Cardinals1964]

Church has 65 total plate appearances and 56 at bats in 43 days on the roster yet we think "we know what we have".

but we are still wondering about Gorman and Walker becoming superstars after just a few more at bats over 3 years.

I dont have high hopes for him offensively as a corner outfielder but if he can get on base a lot he could be very useful.

IMHO, he would be better than Walker has been and could be better than Scott in CF. Scott probably has more range, but Church has a better arm and might be able to reach base more often... or might not. We don't know what we have.

This is what's crazy to me, and I've seen it all over this board (and other forums).

65 PA's and this guy is nothing, yet they've seen:
Scott flounder for 600 PA's and still have hope
Walker flounder for his last 600 PA's and still have hope
Gorman flounder for his last 800 PA's and still have hope

But yeah 65 PA's, let's write the guy off

Could be the 5’-10” 180 pounds and lack of power that makes people worry about him playing a corner OF spot.
Also, why didn’t the Cardinals bring JJ up last year? So they could save a year of control. I don’t think they was looking to save a year of control on Church. Hopefully he turns out to be a nice role player.
Because if he is our next All-Star, like Brendan Donovan, we are screwed.

Church had to be protected during the Rule 5 draft, while JJ did not...

Church also isn't 180 anymore if you've ever seen him in person or followed his progress at all, but it's obvious you haven't

You’re right. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to utility players.
How did that rule five draft work? Did he have to be on the 40 man roster or did he have to be sitting on the bench in St. Louis?

[cosmo.kramer]

Church has 65 total plate appearances and 56 at bats in 43 days on the roster yet we think "we know what we have".

but we are still wondering about Gorman and Walker becoming superstars after just a few more at bats over 3 years.

I dont have high hopes for him offensively as a corner outfielder but if he can get on base a lot he could be very useful.

IMHO, he would be better than Walker has been and could be better than Scott in CF. Scott probably has more range, but Church has a better arm and might be able to reach base more often... or might not. We don't know what we have.

This is what's crazy to me, and I've seen it all over this board (and other forums).

65 PA's and this guy is nothing, yet they've seen:
Scott flounder for 600 PA's and still have hope
Walker flounder for his last 600 PA's and still have hope
Gorman flounder for his last 800 PA's and still have hope

But yeah 65 PA's, let's write the guy off

Could be the 5’-10” 180 pounds and lack of power that makes people worry about him playing a corner OF spot.
Also, why didn’t the Cardinals bring JJ up last year? So they could save a year of control. I don’t think they was looking to save a year of control on Church. Hopefully he turns out to be a nice role player.
Because if he is our next All-Star, like Brendan Donovan, we are screwed.

Church had to be protected during the Rule 5 draft, while JJ did not...

Church also isn't 180 anymore if you've ever seen him in person or followed his progress at all, but it's obvious you haven't

You’re right. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to utility players.
How did that rule five draft work? Did he have to be on the 40 man roster or did he have to be sitting on the bench in St. Louis?

Better than stuck in Memphis. It's okay to not watch the minors, though it's weird to form strong opinions without actually paying attention. Good luck with that

[Cardinals1964]

Church has 65 total plate appearances and 56 at bats in 43 days on the roster yet we think "we know what we have".

but we are still wondering about Gorman and Walker becoming superstars after just a few more at bats over 3 years.

I dont have high hopes for him offensively as a corner outfielder but if he can get on base a lot he could be very useful.

IMHO, he would be better than Walker has been and could be better than Scott in CF. Scott probably has more range, but Church has a better arm and might be able to reach base more often... or might not. We don't know what we have.

This is what's crazy to me, and I've seen it all over this board (and other forums).

65 PA's and this guy is nothing, yet they've seen:
Scott flounder for 600 PA's and still have hope
Walker flounder for his last 600 PA's and still have hope
Gorman flounder for his last 800 PA's and still have hope

But yeah 65 PA's, let's write the guy off

Could be the 5’-10” 180 pounds and lack of power that makes people worry about him playing a corner OF spot.
Also, why didn’t the Cardinals bring JJ up last year? So they could save a year of control. I don’t think they was looking to save a year of control on Church. Hopefully he turns out to be a nice role player.
Because if he is our next All-Star, like Brendan Donovan, we are screwed.

Church had to be protected during the Rule 5 draft, while JJ did not...

Church also isn't 180 anymore if you've ever seen him in person or followed his progress at all, but it's obvious you haven't

You’re right. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to utility players.
How did that rule five draft work? Did he have to be on the 40 man roster or did he have to be sitting on the bench in St. Louis?

Better than stuck in Memphis. It's okay to not watch the minors, though it's weird to form strong opinions without actually paying attention. Good luck with that

I hope you’re right. I hope he becomes Albert Pujols. Maybe I’m putting too much into he hasn’t done anything to convince me otherwise.

[bccardsfan]

Church has 65 total plate appearances and 56 at bats in 43 days on the roster yet we think "we know what we have".

but we are still wondering about Gorman and Walker becoming superstars after just a few more at bats over 3 years.

I dont have high hopes for him offensively as a corner outfielder but if he can get on base a lot he could be very useful.

IMHO, he would be better than Walker has been and could be better than Scott in CF. Scott probably has more range, but Church has a better arm and might be able to reach base more often... or might not. We don't know what we have.

This is what's crazy to me, and I've seen it all over this board (and other forums).

65 PA's and this guy is nothing, yet they've seen:
Scott flounder for 600 PA's and still have hope
Walker flounder for his last 600 PA's and still have hope
Gorman flounder for his last 800 PA's and still have hope

But yeah 65 PA's, let's write the guy off

Could be the 5’-10” 180 pounds and lack of power that makes people worry about him playing a corner OF spot.
Also, why didn’t the Cardinals bring JJ up last year? So they could save a year of control. I don’t think they was looking to save a year of control on Church. Hopefully he turns out to be a nice role player.
Because if he is our next All-Star, like Brendan Donovan, we are screwed.

Church had to be protected during the Rule 5 draft, while JJ did not...

Church also isn't 180 anymore if you've ever seen him in person or followed his progress at all, but it's obvious you haven't

You’re right. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to utility players.
How did that rule five draft work? Did he have to be on the 40 man roster or did he have to be sitting on the bench in St. Louis?

Better than stuck in Memphis. It's okay to not watch the minors, though it's weird to form strong opinions without actually paying attention. Good luck with that

I hope you’re right. I hope he becomes Albert Pujols. Maybe I’m putting too much into he hasn’t done anything to convince me otherwise.

I'd settle for Lenny Dykstra:)

[Cardinals1964]

Church has 65 total plate appearances and 56 at bats in 43 days on the roster yet we think "we know what we have".

but we are still wondering about Gorman and Walker becoming superstars after just a few more at bats over 3 years.

I dont have high hopes for him offensively as a corner outfielder but if he can get on base a lot he could be very useful.

IMHO, he would be better than Walker has been and could be better than Scott in CF. Scott probably has more range, but Church has a better arm and might be able to reach base more often... or might not. We don't know what we have.

This is what's crazy to me, and I've seen it all over this board (and other forums).

65 PA's and this guy is nothing, yet they've seen:
Scott flounder for 600 PA's and still have hope
Walker flounder for his last 600 PA's and still have hope
Gorman flounder for his last 800 PA's and still have hope

But yeah 65 PA's, let's write the guy off

Could be the 5’-10” 180 pounds and lack of power that makes people worry about him playing a corner OF spot.
Also, why didn’t the Cardinals bring JJ up last year? So they could save a year of control. I don’t think they was looking to save a year of control on Church. Hopefully he turns out to be a nice role player.
Because if he is our next All-Star, like Brendan Donovan, we are screwed.

Church had to be protected during the Rule 5 draft, while JJ did not...

Church also isn't 180 anymore if you've ever seen him in person or followed his progress at all, but it's obvious you haven't

You’re right. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to utility players.
How did that rule five draft work? Did he have to be on the 40 man roster or did he have to be sitting on the bench in St. Louis?

Better than stuck in Memphis. It's okay to not watch the minors, though it's weird to form strong opinions without actually paying attention. Good luck with that

I hope you’re right. I hope he becomes Albert Pujols. Maybe I’m putting too much into he hasn’t done anything to convince me otherwise.

I'd settle for Lenny Dykstra:)

Settle? I’d pray and beg.