Carp-Fowler-Goldy? Shildt says it could stick

JUPITER, Fla. -- After weeks of workshopping potential lineups, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt decided about 10 days prior to debut Paul Goldschmidt as part of a top-of-the-order look that has the potential to stick beyond Spring Training.

That first glance came Sunday.

Though Matt Carpenter, Dexter Fowler and Goldschmidt (in that order) combined to go 0-for-5 with a walk and two strikeouts in Sunday’s 12-2 loss to the Nationals, the trio offered a glimpse of what could be the top of St. Louis' lineup in the regular season.

“It’s fun, right?” Shildt said, perhaps dreaming of the depth his lineup could showcase if these three hitters entrench themselves ahead of Marcell Ozuna and Paul DeJong. “I think it’s fun for everybody. It’s fun for us, fun for him, fun for you guys and obviously our fan base."

Fun for everyone except the opposing starting pitcher, perhaps.

One of the appeals of lining the trio up at the top of the Cardinals' lineup is the possible ambush they could offer against a starting pitcher. When right, each of the three has profiled among the most patient hitters in the game.

Carpenter, predictably, worked a full count before drawing a walk in his second plate appearance. Fowler saw six pitches in one at-bat, five in another, reflecting the sort of patience he can show when things are going well. Goldschmidt drove a ball to the warning track after receiving a partial standing ovation in his first at-bat with the organization.

In 2016, all three ranked among the top 15 in the Majors in pitches per plate appearances. Fowler, with an average of 4.41, was fourth. Carpenter finished second in '17, while he and Goldschmidt tied for 13th with equal 4.21 averages in '18.

The three combined to see 11 pitches from Nationals starter Erick Fedde on Sunday.

“That’s three tough at-bats,” Fowler said. “Any time you can wear down a pitcher like that whether you’re getting hits or not, it’s going to help.”

But interest in seeing how the three looked in those lineup spots doesn’t mean anything is yet set in stone for anyone except Carpenter, who will be batting leadoff. Fowler could fall if he doesn’t have the sort of spring that elicits confidence in a possible bounce-back season. His spring won’t be measured by statistics, but rather through more nuanced ways, like his timing and how he is seeing the ball late in March.

If he were to move out of the two-hole, Goldschmidt would be a candidate to move up one spot.

“You look at the lineup we rolled out today, me and Dexter, if we can get Dexter hitting like he’s capable of and the kind of player he can be, with him and me in front of guys like Goldschmidt, Ozuna and DeJong, it’s got a chance to be a really good offense,” Carpenter said. “I love seeing [Goldschmidt’s] name in there. It changes everything. Having the depth when you put a guy like Paul in the three-hole, it’s huge. It’s a scary thing for opposing pitchers.”

Shildt indicated that he will continue to utilize these three hitters, in order, atop the lineup through the first half of spring games. But as he evaluates the lineup’s look as a whole, individually, there are checkpoints for each of the three veteran players.

Fowler is seeking some positive momentum that can flush the effects of a disappointing season and propel him into his a fresh one. Goldschmidt will continue to assimilate to a new organization. Carpenter is eyeing good health, which would allow him the luxury of spreading out his spring at-bats in a way he hasn’t been able to do since 2016.

Then it will be up to their manager to determine how -- and where -- each best fit.

“Shildty has a lot of different options there,” Goldschmidt said after his two hitless at-bats on Sunday. “I think we just want to have consistent at-bats. It doesn’t matter what part of the order we’re in, try to find a way to get on base. Whoever is hitting, drive some guys in.”