Cards' Triple-A roster shaping up nicely

JUPITER, Fla. -- In the process of settling on their Opening Day roster, the Cardinals also began to finalize assignments for several prospects still in big league camp.
The Triple-A Memphis roster is projected to feature at least four of the organization's top 11 prospects, based on MLB Pipeline's prospect list. Those include three position players -- catcher Carson Kelly (No. 2), outfielder Harrison Bader (No. 5), and infielder Paul DeJong (No. 11) -- who have caught the attention of the big league coaching staff this spring.
For Bader and DeJong, both products of the Cardinals' 2015 Draft class, this marked their first opportunity to participate in Major League camp. Though neither had a realistic shot at cracking the Opening Day roster, the fact that they still haven't been sent out to join the Minor League players on the backfields speaks to the impression they've made.

Bader entered Sunday batting .348 with a .400 on-base percentage and .943 OPS this spring. His 16 hits rank second-best on the team, and he's shown an ability to play all three outfield positions well.
"To me, the best he could do was exactly what he did," manager Mike Matheny said. "He still has some things to work on, [but] he definitely took away any doubt we would have had [that he could contribute this year]."
DeJong positioned himself in a similar spot. He looked fluid at shortstop, a position the Cardinals moved him to last fall, while also showcasing his versatility.

"I'll play anywhere on the field," said DeJong, who has hit .222 this spring. "To add another position to my arsenal will help me get into the lineup every day."
DeJong will be in Memphis' infield, playing alongside Patrick Wisdom, who, though no longer featured on the team's prospect list, put himself back on the Cardinals' radar this spring. After combining to go 6-for-43 as a non-roster invitee in 2013, 2014 and 2016, Wisdom is 9-for-30 with three homers in Grapefruit League play this year.
"[He] was a guy who changed our minds," Matheny said. "He just looks like a completely different player than what we saw."

Breyvic Valera, Todd Cunningham and Chad Huffman will also likely land as infielders on Memphis' roster. Joining Bader in the outfield will be Tommy Pham and Anthony García. Kelly will be the club's primary catcher.
On the mound, the Memphis Redbirds are likely to feature Luke Weaver, Mike Mayers, John Gant and Arturo Reyes in their rotation. Gant's recent groin injury could delay his start, but he's not expected to be sidelined long.
Those slated for a Triple-A relief role include Ryan Sherriff, Sam Tuivailala, Josh Lucas and Zach Phillips.