MLB St Louis Cardinals

Early Spring Training Prediction of St. Louis Cardinals’ 2015 Opening Day Lineup

Fresh Videos

By

Early Spring Training Prediction of St. Louis Cardinals' 2015 Opening Day Lineup

Cards06 Matt Holliday
Getty Images

The Cardinals have one of the more complete teams in baseball and that starts with their deep starting lineup. They don't have any glaring holes and each player likely to be plugged into each particular spot fits that spot well. Here is how the lineup card could be filled out when the Cardinals take on the Cubs to start of the MLB season on April 5.

1. 3B Matt Carpenter

NLCS - St Louis Cardinals v San Francisco Giants - Game Three
Getty Images

1. 3B Matt Carpenter

NLCS - St Louis Cardinals v San Francisco Giants - Game Three
Getty Images

Carpenter didn't quite put up his 2013 numbers last year, but he also didn't have a huge drop off in production and that's a positive sign for the Red Birds. He gets on base consistently and provides some speed, so he makes perfect sense at the top of the order.

2. RF Jason Heyward

Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves
Getty Images

2. RF Jason Heyward

Philadelphia Phillies v Atlanta Braves
Getty Images

The team's new right fielder doesn't quite profile as a leadoff hitter and he doesn't quite profile as a middle-of-the-order hitter, so why not have him act as a bridge between the two? St. Louis could hit and run with Heyward and Carpenter at the top and probably move first to third with regularity.

3. LF Matt Holliday

NLCS - St Louis Cardinals v San Francisco Giants - Game Three
Getty Images

3. LF Matt Holliday

NLCS - St Louis Cardinals v San Francisco Giants - Game Three
Getty Images

Holliday is probably the Cardinals' biggest power threat even though this team doesn't have much power, especially for a legitimate contender. They play small ball with the best of them and even if Holliday isn't hitting the ball over the fence, he's going to be driving it to the gaps. As long as he stays healthy, the Cardinals should be in good shape offensively this season.

4. 1B Matt Adams

National League Championship Series Game 3: St. Louis Cardinals v. San Francisco Giants
Getty Images

4. 1B Matt Adams

National League Championship Series Game 3: St. Louis Cardinals v. San Francisco Giants
Getty Images

Adams got off to a really hot start last year and then got hurt and slowed down a bit. St. Louis would like to see his power numbers go up a little bit this year, but not at the expense of his average. They'd be more than happy to have him hit doubles with regularity while sprinkling in the occasional home run if he's right around the .290-.300 mark.

5. SS Jhonny Peralta

Cards05 Jhonny Peralta
Getty Images

5. SS Jhonny Peralta

Cards05 Jhonny Peralta
Getty Images

Peralta was a bit of a surprise for the Cardinals last year who were expecting production from the slugging shortstop, but not as much as they ended up getting from him. He set the franchise record for single-season doubles by a short stop and also provided some decent power. If he provides the same in 2015, the Cards are in great shape.

6. C Yadier Molina

National League Championship Series Game 1: San Francisco Giants v. St. Louis Cardinals
Getty Images

6. C Yadier Molina

National League Championship Series Game 1: San Francisco Giants v. St. Louis Cardinals
Getty Images

People around baseball got a sense for just how valuable Molina is to the Cardinals last season. He missed significant time with injury and the Cards essentially treaded water while he was out. When he played, St. Louis was an elite team. He needs to stay healthy this season because his leadership and timely hitting are two things that make him one of the best in the game at his position and the Cardinals need that in 2015.

7. 2B Kolten Wong

NLCS - St Louis Cardinals v San Francisco Giants - Game Four
Getty Images

7. 2B Kolten Wong

NLCS - St Louis Cardinals v San Francisco Giants - Game Four
Getty Images

In his first full season in the major leagues, Wong had his fair share of ups and downs, but he got more and more consistent as the season went on. That's a great sign for a young player. Many people talk about a sophomore slump, but based on how he finished last season, Wong may be headed for a breakout year.

8. CF Jon Jay

NLCS - St Louis Cardinals v San Francisco Giants - Game Five
Getty Images

8. CF Jon Jay

NLCS - St Louis Cardinals v San Francisco Giants - Game Five
Getty Images

If there's one offensive hole the Cardinals have it's probably in centerfield. Even so, Jay isn't a schmuck, he's just not great. He plays good defense in the outfield and provides a decent bat at the dish. Most teams definitely do worse at the eight-spot in the order.

9. RHP Adam Wainwright

St. Louis Cardinals v Washington Nationals
Getty Images

9. RHP Adam Wainwright

St. Louis Cardinals v Washington Nationals
Getty Images

Even though the Cardinals' ace has been dealing with an upper body injury this spring, it seems based on his progress in side sessions that he will be ready for Opening Night against the rival Cubs. This isn't Tony La Russa's Cardinals anymore, so he will be slated in the eight, rather than nine spot.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on