Nathan Church!

[Cardinals1964]

It’s just as likely he will be playing in AAA with Saggese to get more ABs to start the season.

Are you the same poster that thinks JJ will be in AAA too?

So that wasn't you who said JJ would be in Memphis this year?

Thinking he will be and thinking he should be our two different thoughts.

[Ozziesfan41]

The only way JJ would start at Memphis is if he hits about .100 and looks overmatched at the plate

[Cardinals4Life]

It’s just as likely he will be playing in AAA with Saggese to get more ABs to start the season.

Are you the same poster that thinks JJ will be in AAA too?

So that wasn't you who said JJ would be in Memphis this year?

Thinking he will be and thinking he should be our two different thoughts.

Genuinely asking if that was you or another poster? I couldn't remember.

[12xu]

I posted a few times last year, so I’ll refresh the thought this year.

I’m not saying he’ll approach Jim Edmonds incredible ceiling, but if you compare Church’s and Edmonds’s MiLB trajectory and their ages when breaking into MLB, there are similarities.

I’m bullish on Church and believe he will at the very least be a very valuable 4th OFer. At best he could eventually be the Cardinals CF for the next 5 years or so.

I think that’s his floor as well, which is fine

The Cards are overdue for a guy that just kinda comes out of nowhere in the system and becomes a full time starter.

Well they had one of those guys (Brendan Donovan) and they got rid of him.

[Cardinals1964]

It’s just as likely he will be playing in AAA with Saggese to get more ABs to start the season.

Are you the same poster that thinks JJ will be in AAA too?

So that wasn't you who said JJ would be in Memphis this year?

Thinking he will be and thinking he should be our two different thoughts.

Genuinely asking if that was you or another poster? I couldn't remember.

I don’t remember. There was a thread that asked where JJ would bat or something like that and I said AAA. I was mostly joking. If he doesn’t start in the majors, I will be highly disappointed.

[Cardinals4Life]

It’s just as likely he will be playing in AAA with Saggese to get more ABs to start the season.

Are you the same poster that thinks JJ will be in AAA too?

So that wasn't you who said JJ would be in Memphis this year?

Thinking he will be and thinking he should be our two different thoughts.

Genuinely asking if that was you or another poster? I couldn't remember.

I don’t remember. There was a thread that asked where JJ would bat or something like that and I said AAA. I was mostly joking. If he doesn’t start in the majors, I will be highly disappointed.

I thought so. Lol
If he ends up in AAA, I think the fanbase will revolt!

[Chitownredbird]

Good start for the kid! Hope he can make it to the Show this year.

Yes, good start for Church on Saturday .. but here is my question
Will Oli go to Church on Sunday ??

Only if it will make him feel good.

[ramfandan]

The only way JJ would start at Memphis is if he hits about .100 and looks overmatched at the plate

According to Bloom on several occasions, the hitting stats for JJ will have NO bearing on whether he makes the roster.
Spring training hitting stats for any player don't tell a team much .. limited at bats, variable pitchers used etc.
For JJ , they want to see his maturity , attention to detail (preparation ) , his work ethic , coachable etc.

An example on batting stats.. today in his first game he had two plate appearances . Worked first count to 3-2 then hit a ball in play grounder to 2nd baseman .. did not chase any pitches had one foul ball and one swing and miss on strike 2
In the other at bat , 5 pitches total once again did not chase any pitches that were not in strike zone .. fouled off the only pitch in zone and took 2 inside and 2 high for the walk .
So batting wise he was 0 for 1 today so battng .000 but both at bats woud be deemed successful the ball in play and the walk.

BTW JJ at Double A started there and went 0 for 17 to start there .. didn't phase him and he went on to batting over .300 in springfield.
So as you see Bloom Oli are not going to worry if he hits .100 in spring trainging . He is the starting 2nd baseman for the team..part of the reason they traded Donovan .

Would be no good reason to send him back to Memphis .. he hit .300+ there vs. Triple A pitchers . So he goes back and hits .300 again , that would do nothing for him to help in majors. The kid will be 24 years old in October .. Time to start playing him in the big leagues. Take a few lumps , learn and go on to play well.

[ecleme22]

I posted a few times last year, so I’ll refresh the thought this year.

I’m not saying he’ll approach Jim Edmonds incredible ceiling, but if you compare Church’s and Edmonds’s MiLB trajectory and their ages when breaking into MLB, there are similarities.

I’m bullish on Church and believe he will at the very least be a very valuable 4th OFer. At best he could eventually be the Cardinals CF for the next 5 years or so.

I think that’s his floor as well, which is fine

The Cards are overdue for a guy that just kinda comes out of nowhere in the system and becomes a full time starter.

If Scott didn’t learn anything about hitting in the offseason Church may get his chance soon enough

Yeah, and I don’t even need a surprise superstar. A productive, Jon Jay-type will suffice

[MrPostman01]

Good start for the kid! Hope he can make it to the Show this year.

Yes, good start for Church on Saturday .. but here is my question
Will Oli go to Church on Sunday ??

Ay that's the rub! (Comment sponsored by Tiger Balm)

[Cardinals4Life]

The only way JJ would start at Memphis is if he hits about .100 and looks overmatched at the plate

According to Bloom on several occasions, the hitting stats for JJ will have NO bearing on whether he makes the roster.
Spring training hitting stats for any player don't tell a team much .. limited at bats, variable pitchers used etc.
For JJ , they want to see his maturity , attention to detail (preparation ) , his work ethic , coachable etc.

An example on batting stats.. today in his first game he had two plate appearances . Worked first count to 3-2 then hit a ball in play grounder to 2nd baseman .. did not chase any pitches had one foul ball and one swing and miss on strike 2
In the other at bat , 5 pitches total once again did not chase any pitches that were not in strike zone .. fouled off the only pitch in zone and took 2 inside and 2 high for the walk .
So batting wise he was 0 for 1 today so battng .000 but both at bats woud be deemed successful the ball in play and the walk.

BTW JJ at Double A started there and went 0 for 17 to start there .. didn't phase him and he went on to batting over .300 in springfield.
So as you see Bloom Oli are not going to worry if he hits .100 in spring trainging . He is the starting 2nd baseman for the team..part of the reason they traded Donovan .

Would be no good reason to send him back to Memphis .. he hit .300+ there vs. Triple A pitchers . So he goes back and hits .300 again , that would do nothing for him to help in majors. The kid will be 24 years old in October .. Time to start playing him in the big leagues. Take a few lumps , learn and go on to play well.

Agree with this.

Except not sure how the 1st AB was deemed successful. Just because he got to a full count? He grounded out.

[ClassicO]

This team could really use Church to develop into an everyday player who can hit at or above 100 wRC+. He may be as good defensively as Scott (better arm). Scott's career 67 wRC+ is who he is.

[Shady]

This team could really use Church to develop into an everyday player who can hit at or above 100 wRC+. He may be as good defensively as Scott (better arm). Scott's career 67 wRC+ is who he is.

Will Church get a legitimate opportunity to win the CF starting job?

[Melville]

Good start for the kid! Hope he can make it to the Show this year.

Yes, good start for Church on Saturday .. but here is my question
Will Oli go to Church on Sunday ??

Apparently not.
Although, he could show up late for services today.

[Banner29]

The only way JJ would start at Memphis is if he hits about .100 and looks overmatched at the plate

According to Bloom on several occasions, the hitting stats for JJ will have NO bearing on whether he makes the roster.
Spring training hitting stats for any player don't tell a team much .. limited at bats, variable pitchers used etc.
For JJ , they want to see his maturity , attention to detail (preparation ) , his work ethic , coachable etc.

An example on batting stats.. today in his first game he had two plate appearances . Worked first count to 3-2 then hit a ball in play grounder to 2nd baseman .. did not chase any pitches had one foul ball and one swing and miss on strike 2
In the other at bat , 5 pitches total once again did not chase any pitches that were not in strike zone .. fouled off the only pitch in zone and took 2 inside and 2 high for the walk .
So batting wise he was 0 for 1 today so battng .000 but both at bats woud be deemed successful the ball in play and the walk.

BTW JJ at Double A started there and went 0 for 17 to start there .. didn't phase him and he went on to batting over .300 in springfield.
So as you see Bloom Oli are not going to worry if he hits .100 in spring trainging . He is the starting 2nd baseman for the team..part of the reason they traded Donovan .

Would be no good reason to send him back to Memphis .. he hit .300+ there vs. Triple A pitchers . So he goes back and hits .300 again , that would do nothing for him to help in majors. The kid will be 24 years old in October .. Time to start playing him in the big leagues. Take a few lumps , learn and go on to play well.

Agree with this.

Except not sure how the 1st AB was deemed successful. Just because he got to a full count? He grounded out.

Yes, because going off of what Ozzie said on not making the roster because he looks overmatched at the plate

Working the count full is a good sign of not looking overmatched regardless of the outcome

[dugoutrex]

the 'electric' Church

on bass