Royals outfielder Mark Teahen is working out at second base in pre-spring training workouts in Arizona, but he’s not the only outfielder for a Missouri pro team who may be making the switch. Cardinals’ outfielder Skip Schumaker may be doing the same thing this spring.
What I’m surprised about is that here was a guy who is a proven lead-off hitter who batted .302 last year in 153 games and the Cardinals are leaving the option open for him to back up Adam Kennedy at second base because of the potential log jam in the Outfield.
Schumaker last played the infield in college when he was at third base. He’s never played second base and will be competing with other infielders including Brian Barden and Brendan Ryan.
First, the Cardinals need to sign Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel. Once they do that, I think those guys have two outfield positions wrapped up. It appears manager Tony LaRussa is going to save a spot in the outfield for Chris Duncan.
So, the Cards have Duncan in left, who is a career .266 hitter who strikes out 28% of his at bats and is a defensive liability and 33 year old Adam Kennedy at second, who only played in 115 games last year after a disappointing 2007 when he only hit .219 in 87 games in the projected lineup while Schumaker fights for a reserve role. Am I missing something?
Yes, see the Cardinals also have Colby Rasmus, the star in waiting and that’s the wild card in this whole outfield scenario. Management is set on giving Rasmus his shot. He’s coming off an injury filled season last year and is unproven in the majors.
My guess is at some point this spring, the Cardinals will swing a trade with at least one of their outfielder to perhaps bring in the pitching they had promised over the winter.
I think Schumaker is athletic enough that he could make the transition to second base, but not having him in the lineup everyday starting thing off could hurt the Cardinals early.
