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rockondlouie wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:43 am No

Like VSII he's got a good glove and speed but in limited action he seemed overmatched at the plate.

But I hope you're right!

More overmatched than Victor? Is that possible?!

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 10:55 am

casey1024 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:34 am 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!

100%. Church is the far superior hitter to Scott and has a stronger arm. Scott has more speed and a better glove, though not by as much as you think.

Church is on my list of guys who step up this year, along with Saggese, if given the proper chance.

+1.
I’m not saying Church will be a good everyday CF, but in this outfield he may be something akin to the cyclops in the land of the blind.

No I really don't. Would love to be wrong.

casey1024 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:34 am 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!

no I don't think he'll be a great surprise.
I wish:
a) that he would be
b) that he would bat RH

Well he hit better than Scott prior to his call up and they are both 25.

Both have speed and glove so I don't know why it wouldn't be an open competition.

Perhaps the two together if used correctly can wind up being at least serviceable offensively for the position.

ClassicO wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 12:11 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:43 am No

Like VSII he's got a good glove and speed but in limited action he seemed overmatched at the plate.

But I hope you're right!

More overmatched than Victor? Is that possible?!

They we're amazing similar in their rookie appearances:

NC
.179 .254 .250 .504

VSII/2024
.179 .219 .283 .502

rockondlouie wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 12:49 pm

ClassicO wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 12:11 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:43 am No

Like VSII he's got a good glove and speed but in limited action he seemed overmatched at the plate.

But I hope you're right!

More overmatched than Victor? Is that possible?!

They we're amazing similar in their rookie appearances:

NC
.179 .254 .250 .504

VSII/2024
.179 .219 .283 .502

how many AB's for each?

Melville wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 11:59 am

casey1024 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 11:45 am

Melville wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:58 am

casey1024 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:34 am 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.

I think Church winds up becoming the everyday CF. At least until someone comes along to take it from him. He starts off the season in LF with Scott in C until Nootbaar is ready, then the competition is on.

casey1024 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 14:59 pm

Melville wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 11:59 am

casey1024 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 11:45 am

Melville wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:58 am

casey1024 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:34 am 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.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 12:49 pm

ClassicO wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 12:11 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:43 am No

Like VSII he's got a good glove and speed but in limited action he seemed overmatched at the plate.

But I hope you're right!

More overmatched than Victor? Is that possible?!

They we're amazing similar in their rookie appearances:

NC
.179 .254 .250 .504

VSII/2024
.179 .219 .283 .502

I think they have different backgrounds: one who has the capacity to hit well and another who can.

Scott at AAA - .210/.294/.303/.597 in 362 PAs.
——-College - .254/.368/.419/.787

Church -AAA - .332/.396/.500/.896 in 213 PAs.
———College - .341/.405/.515/.920

I like Church. He has a fantastic arm, probably the best in the organization. Good speed and defense. He has a good all-around game.
If he can hit at or near his AAA numbers, he's a keeper. I like him over Nootbaar.

If he has any kind of spring, park him in lf until he proves he can't hit. His little cup last fall just forget. No reason not to go this way. If he can't hit, Noot will be ready eventually.

I am a Nathan Church fan. I think his last couple of years in AA AAA show he can hit.
RF seems logical for Church with his exceptional arm.

It's starting to look like we may be evolving into righty lefty platoon at multiple positions.

Unless I'm missing somebody, seems SS and 2B may be the only everyday positions.
I still think Herrera is a logical 1B/DH along with Burleson.
Near term I think Pages/Crooks also.

Don't know what to do with Gorman (trade?) He needs to hit otherwise.

rage-STL wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:41 am

casey1024 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:34 am 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!

Maybe Church wins the LF job out of camp with Noot on the mend. Him and Scott would completely shut down the left side of the OF. We’ll find out soon enough, games on the schedule next Saturday. Let’s get this show on the road.

Another Punch and Judy hitter playing a power position.

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 19:29 pm

rage-STL wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:41 am

casey1024 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 08:34 am 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!

Maybe Church wins the LF job out of camp with Noot on the mend. Him and Scott would completely shut down the left side of the OF. We’ll find out soon enough, games on the schedule next Saturday. Let’s get this show on the road.

Another Punch and Judy hitter playing a power position.

Right. Another what seems to be misfit. Reminds me of that Christmas cartoon from the 60s?