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That would be the surprise we need, but without a better hitting coach it would be a surprise indeed
If we aren’t developing multiple future all stars and MOTO bats, are we even making progress towards future competing?
Your numbers were under his 2025.casey1024 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 04:31 amWith 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.Melville wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 15:30 pmThat would make him a better player at the MLB level than he was as a minor leaguer.casey1024 wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 14:59 pm.270 avg.; 350 obp; Solid D; 20-30 SBs.........just a solid season.Melville wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 11:59 amWhich leaves the same question.
What are your expectations?
Simply an observation.
Excellent points.cardstatman wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 23:02 pm 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.
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.Carp4Cy wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 13:14 pmIf 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.
Konnor Griffin was still on the board when we drafted.3dender wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 14:07 pmAll 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.Carp4Cy wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 13:14 pmIf 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.
In other news, rain is wet.
You’re right. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to utility players.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 05:11 amChurch had to be protected during the Rule 5 draft, while JJ did not...Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 04:37 amCould be the 5’-10” 180 pounds and lack of power that makes people worry about him playing a corner OF spot.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 03:58 amThis is what's crazy to me, and I've seen it all over this board (and other forums).cardstatman wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 23:02 pm 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.
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
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 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
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 thatCardinals1964 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 17:20 pmYou’re right. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to utility players.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 05:11 amChurch had to be protected during the Rule 5 draft, while JJ did not...Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 04:37 amCould be the 5’-10” 180 pounds and lack of power that makes people worry about him playing a corner OF spot.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 03:58 amThis is what's crazy to me, and I've seen it all over this board (and other forums).cardstatman wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 23:02 pm 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.
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
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 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
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?
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.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 17:37 pmBetter 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 thatCardinals1964 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 17:20 pmYou’re right. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to utility players.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 05:11 amChurch had to be protected during the Rule 5 draft, while JJ did not...Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 04:37 amCould be the 5’-10” 180 pounds and lack of power that makes people worry about him playing a corner OF spot.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 03:58 amThis is what's crazy to me, and I've seen it all over this board (and other forums).cardstatman wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 23:02 pm 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.
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
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 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
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?
I'd settle for Lenny Dykstra:)Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 19:14 pmI 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.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 17:37 pmBetter 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 thatCardinals1964 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 17:20 pmYou’re right. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to utility players.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 05:11 amChurch had to be protected during the Rule 5 draft, while JJ did not...Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 04:37 amCould be the 5’-10” 180 pounds and lack of power that makes people worry about him playing a corner OF spot.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 03:58 amThis is what's crazy to me, and I've seen it all over this board (and other forums).cardstatman wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 23:02 pm 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.
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
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 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
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?
Settle? I’d pray and beg.bccardsfan wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 19:19 pmI'd settle for Lenny Dykstra:)Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 19:14 pmI 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.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 17:37 pmBetter 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 thatCardinals1964 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 17:20 pmYou’re right. I don’t pay a whole lot of attention to utility players.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 05:11 amChurch had to be protected during the Rule 5 draft, while JJ did not...Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 04:37 amCould be the 5’-10” 180 pounds and lack of power that makes people worry about him playing a corner OF spot.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑16 Feb 2026 03:58 amThis is what's crazy to me, and I've seen it all over this board (and other forums).cardstatman wrote: ↑15 Feb 2026 23:02 pm 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.
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
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 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
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?