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Church is a WAY better player than Siani. Not even close. Church has shown good offensive numbers in the minors. He is a plus defender, can handle CF, and has a very strong arm. Probably not the power numbers for an everyday corner OFer, but he has a chance to be very good.
Competition is a good thing. If church outperforms him he should play. I don’t think he will though I think Scott will run with it
Jay also isn’t fast like church is. Jay was a good hitter and could get on base though. If church could hit as well and getStrummer Jones wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 12:35 pm I could see Church turning into a Jon Jay type. Outfielder who probably isn't the most talented on the team, but is more consistent and has a higher floor, though a lower ceiling.
Jay had a noodle arm, though, if I remember. Church doesn't have that problem.
Well, he's not materially better in the Jim Edmonds/Mike Trout/Aaron Judge/Andy Pages type of direction that we need to climb out of 29th place in SLG.Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 11:49 amChurch is a WAY better player than Siani. Not even close. Church has shown good offensive numbers in the minors. He is a plus defender, can handle CF, and has a very strong arm. Probably not the power numbers for an everyday corner OFer, but he has a chance to be very good.
Give the guy a shot. I think he will impress.
Said he was better then Siani.Carp4Cy wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 12:50 pmWell, he's not materially better in the Jim Edmonds/Mike Trout/Aaron Judge/Andy Pages type of direction that we need to climb out of 29th place in SLG.Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 11:49 amChurch is a WAY better player than Siani. Not even close. Church has shown good offensive numbers in the minors. He is a plus defender, can handle CF, and has a very strong arm. Probably not the power numbers for an everyday corner OFer, but he has a chance to be very good.
Give the guy a shot. I think he will impress.
Better players can and do exist in CF and that's where the conversation needs to be.
Have you seen Church play in person? He has more raw power than Siani (and Scott) and it isn't close.
Do you think Scott is helping the SLG of the team?Carp4Cy wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 12:50 pmWell, he's not materially better in the Jim Edmonds/Mike Trout/Aaron Judge/Andy Pages type of direction that we need to climb out of 29th place in SLG.Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 11:49 amChurch is a WAY better player than Siani. Not even close. Church has shown good offensive numbers in the minors. He is a plus defender, can handle CF, and has a very strong arm. Probably not the power numbers for an everyday corner OFer, but he has a chance to be very good.
Give the guy a shot. I think he will impress.
Better players can and do exist in CF and that's where the conversation needs to be.
65 PA's is such a small sample, but people keep writing off Church for some reason. Here are their splits over their first 65.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 16:46 pmHave you seen Church play in person? He has more raw power than Siani (and Scott) and it isn't close.
"Okay defensively" is really underselling him as well. He led the minors in OF assists in 2024 and has been rated by BA as the best defensive outfielder in the Cards system. That's certainly better than "okay defensively." Go watch his defensive highlights from his short stint in Aug/Sept
He hit better than Scott in college, in AA, and in AAA. His first 65 PA's in the majors were also better than Scott's first 65 PA's. He deserves regular PA's to prove what he can, especially in a rebuilding year.
How many "good" seasons has Scott had in the minors (or majors)?RunSup wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 17:57 pm Church has had 1 good season in the minors in 2025. He will should get plenty of playing time especially early with Nootbaar recovering. Then the 4th outfielder. He will get playing time to force the issue. But Scott is the starter in CF.
Right now the 5th OFer is Herrera, Burleson, or Fermin. So an add is coming. But Church should be in heavy rotation in 2026 to show what he can do.
I can't imagine they'd push Baez to the majors out of spring training. He still needs to continue his progress from last year.
It doesn't matter. Both will play in 2026. Who else do the Cardinals have.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 18:35 pmHow many "good" seasons has Scott had in the minors (or majors)?RunSup wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 17:57 pm Church has had 1 good season in the minors in 2025. He will should get plenty of playing time especially early with Nootbaar recovering. Then the 4th outfielder. He will get playing time to force the issue. But Scott is the starter in CF.
Right now the 5th OFer is Herrera, Burleson, or Fermin. So an add is coming. But Church should be in heavy rotation in 2026 to show what he can do.
I can't imagine they'd push Baez to the majors out of spring training. He still needs to continue his progress from last year.
ExactlyRunSup wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 18:41 pmIt doesn't matter. Both will play in 2026. Who else do the Cardinals have.cosmo.kramer wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 18:35 pmHow many "good" seasons has Scott had in the minors (or majors)?RunSup wrote: ↑10 Feb 2026 17:57 pm Church has had 1 good season in the minors in 2025. He will should get plenty of playing time especially early with Nootbaar recovering. Then the 4th outfielder. He will get playing time to force the issue. But Scott is the starter in CF.
Right now the 5th OFer is Herrera, Burleson, or Fermin. So an add is coming. But Church should be in heavy rotation in 2026 to show what he can do.
I can't imagine they'd push Baez to the majors out of spring training. He still needs to continue his progress from last year.