Joe Mather #21

Joe begins his first season with Chicago after signing a minor league deal with an invite to major league Spring Training with the club, December 12, 2011...owns a .228 batting average (61-for-268) with 15 doubles, nine homers and 30 RBI in 126 major league contests with St. Louis (2008, 2010) and Atlanta (2011)...Owns a .260 batting average (829-for-3,192) with 196 doubles, 20 triples, 124 homers and 474 RBI in 891 career minor league contests...Made pitching debut in April 17, 2010's 20-inning Cardinals' loss vs. the Mets, tossing 2.0 innings (19th and 20th)...allowed two runs on two hits and received the loss, registering the first decision by a St. Louis position player since Jose Oquendo, May 14, 1988 vs. Atlanta...Named the "Best Power Prospect" and a "Top-20 Prospect to Watch" in the Texas League by Baseball America following the 2007 season...Graduated in 2001 from Mountain Point (Ariz.) High School...played both baseball and basketball...was a Second Team High School All-American in 2001.

2011

Joe was claimed off waivers by Atlanta from St. Louis, November 3, 2010...he saw time with Triple-A Gwinnett and Atlanta before he was granted free agency, June 23...he signed a minor league deal with Colorado, July 7, landing in Triple-A...Saw action in 36 games with Atlanta, hitting .213 (16-for-75) with four doubles, a home run and nine RBI...Batted .310 (13-for-42) with two walks, four doubles, a homer, seven RBI and four runs scored in 20 May contests with the Braves...Recorded a career-high four hits and four RBI, May 21 at the Angels...all told, went 4-for-6 with a double, a homer, a run scored and four RBI in the Braves 5-4, 12-inning victory...Began the season at Gwinnett, hitting .258 (16-for-62) with five doubles, a homer, four RBI and 13 runs scored in 18 games...Designated for assignment, June 19, and outrighted, June 22...elected free agency, June 23...Signed a minor league deal with Colorado, July 7, and hit .321 (67- for-209) with 14 doubles, one triple, six homers, 31 RBI and 36 runs scored in 55 contests for Triple-A Colorado Springs.

2010

Began the season on STL's Opening Day roster, was optioned to Memphis on 5/29 and recalled on 9/18...Played six different positions over 36 games while making eight starts...Was 5-for-14 (.357) with two doubles as a pinch-hitter...Made his pitching debut in a 20-inning game on 4/17 vs. NYM by tossing 2.0 innings (19th & 20th). He allowed two runs on two hits and received the loss, registering the first decision by a Cardinals position player since Jose Oquendo on 5/14/1988 vs. ATL...Posted a 13-game hitting streak from 8/19-9/1 with Memphis (AAA), beginning with three three-hit games and six total multi-hit games (23-for-52, .434, 2 HR, 12 RBI)...Hit two home runs during the Pacific Coast League playoffs.

2009

Competed for starting third base position in St. Louis during Spring Training, but began the season in Memphis (AAA)...Played in 39 games before a recurring left wrist sprain put him on the D.L. from 5/12-29 and 6/14-8/18...Rehabbed with the GCL Cardinals (8/16-18) then moved to Springfield (AA) for final 17 games of the Double-A season, 8/19...Went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI at OKC (6/2). Recorded three hits again vs. NO (6/7) four games later. In five games, batted .400 (8-20) with a home run and six RBI...Solid clutch performer at Springfield, batting .400 (4-10) with RISP totaling nine RBI and a home run...Finished strong batting .304 (7-23) in September with home runs in consecutive games vs. ARK (9/5-7) and nine RBI.

2008

Rookie showed some pop in two stints with the Cardinals before a broken left hamate bone ended his season on 9/1. ... First recalled from Memphis on 5/29 (Duncan optioned). Was batting .313 (31-99) with 6-2Bs, 2-3Bs, 8 HR, 14 BB and 14 RBI for Memphis at time of his recall. His .671 SLG pct. ranked 4th in the PCL at recall time and had a .406 OBP. ... Sent down to Memphis on 6/14 but returned to St. Louis for good on 7/6 (Barton DLed). ... Six of his eight HRs were hit on the road, including his first ML-HR in the 10th inn. of a 6/5 loss in Game 2 at WSH (off B. Saunches). ... Had two pinch-hit home runs and was 6-for-18 (.306) as a pinch hitter. ... Combined to bat .289 (22-76) vs. N.L. East and West teams; .175 (10-57) vs. N.L. Central foes. ... Of his 32 hits, 15 went for extra bases (7-2B, 8-HR). ... Batted leadoff on 8/8 at CHI and was 2-5 with game-tying HR (#6) in the 3rd inn. ... Belted his 2nd pinch-HR (#7) 8/11 at FLA and made key leaping grab in 8th inn. on 8/13. ... Had surgery on 9/4 to remove hook of the hamate bone in his left hand. ... On Memphis DL from April 9-25 with a strained back.

2007

Spent the first half of the season at Springfield (AA) before a mid-season promotion to Memphis (AAA)...Hit a combined 31 home runs between the two levels...Stole 10 combined bases without being caught, increasing his run to 23 stolen bases without being caught, dating to 2004...Was named the Cardinals minor league Player of the Month in April with his .324 average and .797 slugging percentage...Named Texas League Player of the Week twice, 4/5-15 and 6/5-10...Was promoted to Memphis (AAA) on 6/19 where he finished the season, playing 68 games in the OF and two at first base...Named as the Best Power Prospect and one of the Top-20 prospects to watch out of the Texas League by Baseball America...Played in six games for Mesa of the Arizona Fall League and hit .286 (6-for-21) before being shut down as a precaution with a minor shoulder injury.

2006

Spent the entire season at High-A Palm Beach...His 33 doubles tied for second most in the Cardinals organization while his 16 homers tied for eighth most...His 74 RBI ranked 5th in the Cards' farm system.

2005

Began the season at Quad Cities (low-A) and was promoted to Palm Beach (High-A) on 6/23...Had two game-ending home runs at QC: 5/17 vs. Beloit and 6/8 vs Peoria...Helped Palm Beach to the Florida State League Championship, playing in both right and left field down the stretch.

2004

Played three games for New Jersey before spending the remainder of the season with Peoria (A)...Started out as the team's third-baseman (22 games) before a transfer to the outfield...Batted .300 in July (24-for-80).

2003

Played first base at New Jersey (low A) and hit .230 (45-for-196) with 12 2B, 2 HR and 22 RBI.

2002

Played third base at Johnson City (R) and hit .232 (52-for-224) with 15 2B, 9 HR and 39 RBI.

2001

After signing his first professional contract on 6/30, reported to Johnson City (R) and played 3B.