These 4 Cards have boosted their stock

ST. LOUIS -- With Opening Day on Friday and teams needing to set their 30-man rosters by Thursday morning, the Cardinals will send several players down to their alternate training site in Springfield, Mo., after Wednesday’s exhibition game against the Royals at Busch Stadium.

The time that these players got in front of the coaching staff and team decision makers was valuable, perhaps even more than in Spring Training because there’s a limited number of players at Busch Stadium, and the Cardinals, fielding two full teams for intrasquad matchups, saw them play extensively every day. They’ll get to do more of that in Springfield, where José Oquendo is running camp with help from Minor League pitching coordinator Tim Leveque and hitting coordinator Russ Steinhorn. Evaluations from Springfield will determine who will be brought to the Majors if needed.

“They’ll create a good structure and they’ll push the guys appropriately and keep them sharp and keep them focused and concentrated,” Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said. “But ultimately, the player will have that responsibility. That’s one of the conversations we have with the guys that have already been sent out of camp, what that looks like and how that goes, how you go about your business and the accountability, the preparation.”

An expanded roster gives some of these players a chance to break camp with the Cardinals. Some will be between St. Louis and Springfield this season. Some will be on the Cardinals’ taxi squad. Keeping all that in mind, here are four players who have boosted their stock in Summer Camp:

1. Austin Dean
Acquired in January from the Marlins to replace José Martínez as a bat off the bench and a player who could be shuttled between the Majors and Triple-A Memphis, Dean has hit his way into the outfield competition with a strong spring and Summer Camp. The left fielder had two home runs in Spring Training and has gone 4-for-14 (.286) with one walk in eight intrasquad games. While the opening in left field is Tyler O’Neill’s to lose, Dean has impressed coaches with his at-bats, outfield defense and work at first base with Stubby Clapp when workouts are over.

“We’ve talked about rightfully O’Neill and [Lane] Thomas and [Harrison] Bader and of course [Dylan] Carlson,” Shildt said. “But Deaner’s done a nice job. He’s taken some good at-bats, he’s played solid defense. He’s put himself in a position to be in the conversation, but it is a crowd.”

The Cardinals have committed to giving O’Neill and Thomas the first looks in the outfield. But the 30-man roster to start the season adds another opportunity for Dean to make the roster -- and earn playing time. If the Cardinals seek production in the outfield, they might turn to Dean for a jolt.

“Absolutely,” Dean said. “That’s the whole point. I feel like this is a really good opportunity for me just to show them what I have and show them I’m not messing around. This is good competition for everybody. I think that’s what they want to see.”

2. Johan Oviedo
Oviedo’s stock has risen in part because of bullpen questions, but the 22-year-old has also performed well in camp. He added strength to his 6-foot-5 frame over the offseason and worked on his offspeed pitches during the break between spring and Summer Camp. His 94-98 mph fastball, which plays up because of his huge extension, draws praise from hitters and coaches, while his slider and curveball are out pitches if he can throw them for strikes. Oviedo impressed in his intrasquad outing and live batting practice, showing coaches his talent plays against Major League hitters.

“He’s the kind of guy, the more you see him, the more you’re going to like him,” pitching coach Mike Maddux said. “And the more he gets out there on that big stage, I think the more comfortable he will be. This guy has a pretty high ceiling ... and we’re fortunate to get the opportunity right now to see him in this setting.”

3. Kodi Whitley
Whitley had success at three different levels last season -- Class A Advanced, Double-A and Triple-A -- as well as in the Arizona Fall League before being invited to his first big league Spring Training and to train at Busch Stadium for Summer Camp. The right-hander impresses with his solid command and control, attacking hitters in the zone with a 94-97 mph fastball. His slider is a swing-and-miss pitch, and his changeup plays well against left-handers. He’s a fly-ball pitcher, but he didn’t allow a home run over 23 2/3 innings in Triple-A last season. He’s had to adjust to big league hitters, but he’s gotten better with each outing.

Whitley struck out two in one inning during Sunday’s intrasquad game. He threw 14 pitches -- 10 strikes -- and had five swings and misses.

“I think Kodi’s going to be a pretty good guy to help us out, and ... as he gathers experience, I think he’s going to be more reliable,” Maddux said. “He’s already proven to be durable, so gotta get that reliable side."

With the Cardinals unsure of when Alex Reyes and Génesis Cabrera will be available after missing the first two weeks of Summer Camp with positive COVID-19 tests, Whitley and Oviedo could find themselves in the big league bullpen to start the year.

4. Max Schrock
Acquired from Oakland in the Stephen Piscotty trade, Schrock’s ascent has been uneven, slowed by injuries and inconsistent contact in Triple-A. He did finish 2019 strong, hitting .321 (25-for-78) in August and September with eight strikeouts. As a non-roster invite at Spring Training, he impressed with his versatile defense around the infield. That led to an invite to train at Busch Stadium this summer, and he’s made more strides both offensively and defensively. He’s been developed as a second baseman but is learning and gaining ground at shortstop and third base.

Infielder Edmundo Sosa might make the team with Brad Miller still sidelined with right heel discomfort. That makes Schrock the next man up if the Cardinals need infield depth.

“I’ve just, day to day, tried to find ways to make an impression,” Schrock said. “Just come out here, keep my head down and get my business done. That’s pretty much how I view every day. Try to find some way to stand out.”