Who soars in Cards' spring power rankings?

A week-plus worth of Grapefruit League games have come and gone for the Cardinals, as well as a round of first impressions -- for roster stalwarts and roster hopefuls alike.

The Cards are 2-4-3 through nine games, scoring 44 runs and allowing 54 to cross the plate on their watch. The pitching has provided moments of worry on top of highs of promise, while roster battles in the field and throughout the batting order are starting to heat up.

With that in mind, let’s conduct a power ranking of sorts -- a who’s who at Cardinals camp: who’s impressing so far, and who may resemble a few dark horses for the Opening Day roster.

1. OF Lane Thomas
The story: 5-for-10, 3 RBIs through first four games
The quote: “I got strong this offseason, and my feet are back under me.” -- Thomas

Health and rhythm wrecked by a positive COVID-19 diagnosis last season, Thomas got off to a blazing start at the start of camp. His playing time increased with Harrison Bader out with a forearm issue, and he made the most of it, highlighted by a 2-for-4 showing with three RBIs on Friday against the Nationals. He’s doing what he can to challenge for a starting spot, proving he can capably play both center and left field.

2. RHP Thomas Parsons
The story: Fireman duty, never burned
The quote: “Keeps defense on his toes and gets out -- that's really the name of the game.” -- manager Mike Shildt

Parsons has made four appearances so far in the Grapefruit League; three began with a runner on base. So far, he’s escaped without an earned run on his resume, the most impressive of which came in relief of Jack Flaherty in a bases-loaded, no-out situation, during which a tough deflection allowed two runs to score (charged to Flaherty), but none more. The only time he entered to start an inning? Two perfect innings, two strikeouts. An undrafted Division III product, Parsons’ chances of making the Opening Day roster are on the slimmer side, but he’s earned the respect of many and made a name for himself should an opportunity arise.

3. RHP Alex Reyes
The story: Back-end starter … or closer?
The quote: “We're really excited about what we're seeing from him.” -- president of baseball operations John Mozeliak

Reyes was a prime candidate for the rotation, but the Cardinals have elected to keep him in the bullpen this season, citing durability concerns and long-term vision. Reyes’ performance has done nothing to lose a starter role -- four clean innings, six strikeouts and 12 rather comfortable outs -- but with a cap of 100 innings in 2021, it’ll be hard for him to not blow right through that as a starter. He could make some spot starts down the road, however.

4. RHP Adam Wainwright
The story: He’s really turning 40?
The quote: “I'm certainly a better pitcher now than I was a few years ago.” -- Wainwright

Is this too high for someone who’s made good impressions the norm? Maybe. But Wainwright has been that impressive through his first two outings, especially considering that no other Cards starter made it through the first inning through the first turn in the rotation. Wainwright has done so twice with absolute ease. Uncle Charlie is making 39 look young.

5. OF Tyler O'Neill
The story: Raking … and it’s not even autumn
The quote: “When you see guys that have the ability to drive the ball all over the ballpark, it’s going to up their game entirely.” -- Shildt

With a Gold Glove in his back pocket, the Cards have high hopes for O’Neill this season. There’s been question about his bat after a .671 OPS over the last two seasons, but he’s responded with a dynamite start to camp (six RBIs and five hits through six games). Most impressive is the contact he’s making to all parts of the field -- and how hard he’s doing so.

6. 3B Nolan Arenado
The story: Superstar fits like a glove
The quote: “He loves every aspect of the game.” -- Shildt

Sometimes, reputation precedes first impressions. In games, Arenado is still awaiting his first big moment, but the chatter couldn’t be more complimentary for the newest player donning the birds on the bat.

7. RHP Jordan Hicks
The story: Can the flamethrower make triumphant comeback?
The quote: "It was pretty darn good.” -- Shildt

Call it an optimistic impression, since Hicks hasn’t appeared in a Grapefruit League game yet in his lengthy recovery from Tommy John. But word from his pitching coach is that he’s already up to 102 mph on the radar gun, and he showed out in a “B” game on Wednesday. Batters, beware.

8. INF José Rondón
The story: Versatile infielder with pop
The quote: “Looks like he’s got some thunder in his bat.” -- Shildt

One of the more intriguing non-roster invitees, Rondón popped off and secured the harder half of a cycle -- a home run and a triple -- along with 3 RBIs on March 3 (his birthday, no less). He added another triple and two runs scored on Wednesday.