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How many times do people start a thread saying they were wrong about something?
My opinions were based on looking at statistics mostly since I haven’t seen some of these guys play.
I like the way Church handled the bat today even though he didn’t get a hit. In one AB I actually thought I was watching JJ Weatherholt. So I will not be so down on him.
That’s a fault I have though. I’m down on most people that weren’t projected to be superstars and haven’t done anything yet. That’s my fault. I admit it.
I saw Blaze Jordan today too. The name fooled me. When I see the name, Blaze, I think fast. When I see the name, Jordan, I think of Michael. So I’m thinking Blaze Jordan is a fast African-American. He’s a fat white guy. There’s no racism intended there.
Baez looked good. Strong.
I was a Fermin doubter, but he looks a lot stronger than I thought he was.
I’m in love with Bernal. A switch hitting catcher that can hit. I’d be way more excited to see Jimmy Crooks and Bernal. Then seeing Pages and Pozzo.
Ledbetter has a sweet swing.
Chase Davis, nice to see our former #1 pick get a couple hits.

I agree that Church looked much more relaxed and comfortable at the plate than in his cameo last season. JJW looks like a complete hitter. The sac bunt attempt was a thing of beauty, going foul only right before the 3B bag. He commands the strike zone. Sure, there will be better pitching in a week or two and we shall see. His ABs will be must see when zipping through archived games this season. Bernal looked good. Baez... well he was overmatched on the breaking ball in that one AB. I think stormin' Norman looked more in control today and didn't chase. The oppo dinger was nice, although in a big park it may have been caught against the fence. Still, it was opposite field. He also looked better at 3B in the couple of innings I watched. More under control. Maybe there is some hope. If he could just hit .250 and play league avg. D at 3B with some power.... the team would be a lot better.

Church reminds me so much of the long lineage of guys that come through that are not big prospects, but they end up being absolutely essential players. Guys like Donovan, Jay, Schumaker, Oquendo.

Plays the each game like it's his last, and leaves it all on the field. And through that, they are able to eke out a pretty positive career.

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:44 pm Church reminds me so much of the long lineage of guys that come through that are not big prospects, but they end up being absolutely essential players. Guys like Donovan, Jay, Schumaker, Oquendo.

Plays the each game like it's his last, and leaves it all on the field. And through that, they are able to eke out a pretty positive career.

Honestly, I would just stick him in LF most of the games for the first month and leave him alone. See if he can run with it.... He does look like a ballplayer. Man, JJW just looks so good in the batter's box.......

bccardsfan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:46 pm

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:44 pm Church reminds me so much of the long lineage of guys that come through that are not big prospects, but they end up being absolutely essential players. Guys like Donovan, Jay, Schumaker, Oquendo.

Plays the each game like it's his last, and leaves it all on the field. And through that, they are able to eke out a pretty positive career.

Honestly, I would just stick him in LF most of the games for the first month and leave him alone. See if he can run with it.... He does look like a ballplayer. Man, JJW just looks so good in the batter's box.......

It might be important to do that from a defensive standpoint. It would really clamp down on right handed pull hitters. Not much is going to drop between Church and Scott. And also make up for how below average Walker is in the outfield.

bccardsfan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:46 pm

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:44 pm Church reminds me so much of the long lineage of guys that come through that are not big prospects, but they end up being absolutely essential players. Guys like Donovan, Jay, Schumaker, Oquendo.

Plays the each game like it's his last, and leaves it all on the field. And through that, they are able to eke out a pretty positive career.

Honestly, I would just stick him in LF most of the games for the first month and leave him alone. See if he can run with it.... He does look like a ballplayer. Man, JJW just looks so good in the batter's box.......

I think Valesquez and Fermin will have a lot to say about that.
I think he has a better chance subbing for all 3 of positions.
Too bad VS2 and Church are both left handed.

My one disappointment today was no Jordan Walker in the lineup.
Every tv game I’ve seen he’s not in the lineup. Wanted to see his swing and approach.

I just hope Church makes the team. He may end up in CF if VSII continues to be over matched at the plate. I am pulling for VSII to get it together offensively, but Church looks like he has more potential as a hitter. We shall see.

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:59 pm My one disappointment today was no Jordan Walker in the lineup.
Every tv game I’ve seen he’s not in the lineup. Wanted to see his swing and approach.

The few ABs I have seen... he looked the same. Let's hope he picks it up...

Considering the potential lineup, Church could bat 2nd.

Shady wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:03 pm Considering the potential lineup, Church could bat 2nd.

Or 8th or 9th or AAA. lol. We shall see.
I did like JJ leading off. Put Scott or Church 9th. So as not to clog the bases in front of of JJ.

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:06 pm

Shady wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:03 pm Considering the potential lineup, Church could bat 2nd.

Or 8th or 9th or AAA. lol. We shall see.
I did like JJ leading off. Put Scott or Church 9th. So as not to clog the bases in front of of JJ.

As I just posted in the other thread, if we had a good lead off hitter, JJW could bat second. Bat control, hit and run, if he walks, then double steal possibility... oh well... fantasy.. and marmol would not be creative enough to do anything regularly. This team may have to manufacture some runs.

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:44 pm Church reminds me so much of the long lineage of guys that come through that are not big prospects, but they end up being absolutely essential players. Guys like Donovan, Jay, Schumaker, Oquendo.

Plays the each game like it's his last, and leaves it all on the field. And through that, they are able to eke out a pretty positive career.

I said this a couple of months ago:

An Old Friend wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 09:36 am He won’t wow anyone, but I think Church will do a lot of things well and can be a Donovan type of hitter… plus plate discipline, plus bat to ball, and can cover all 3 outfield spots.

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:59 pm My one disappointment today was no Jordan Walker in the lineup.
Every tv game I’ve seen he’s not in the lineup. Wanted to see his swing and approach.

are you sure you want to see it?

JK

An Old Friend wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:24 pm

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:44 pm Church reminds me so much of the long lineage of guys that come through that are not big prospects, but they end up being absolutely essential players. Guys like Donovan, Jay, Schumaker, Oquendo.

Plays the each game like it's his last, and leaves it all on the field. And through that, they are able to eke out a pretty positive career.

I said this a couple of months ago:

An Old Friend wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 09:36 am He won’t wow anyone, but I think Church will do a lot of things well and can be a Donovan type of hitter… plus plate discipline, plus bat to ball, and can cover all 3 outfield spots.

That is exactly how I see it. Great minds, right?

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 17:15 pm

An Old Friend wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 16:24 pm

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:44 pm Church reminds me so much of the long lineage of guys that come through that are not big prospects, but they end up being absolutely essential players. Guys like Donovan, Jay, Schumaker, Oquendo.

Plays the each game like it's his last, and leaves it all on the field. And through that, they are able to eke out a pretty positive career.

I said this a couple of months ago:

An Old Friend wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 09:36 am He won’t wow anyone, but I think Church will do a lot of things well and can be a Donovan type of hitter… plus plate discipline, plus bat to ball, and can cover all 3 outfield spots.

That is exactly how I see it. Great minds, right?

Let's just hope we are right on Church. We need some young OFer to actually be productive on this team.....