Future Redbirds

Derrick Goold had this scoop at Birdland: 

– The Cardinals have acquired the following players for the minor leagues: 1B Tagg Bozied, (see this post of mine for more on Tagg) C Ryan Christiansen, IF Edgar Gonzalez, RHP Matt Hirsh (brother of the Jason Hirsh recently traded), OF Ryan Ludwick, RHP Alex Pena. RHP Mike Smith . C Eli Marrero (he’ll come to camp as a catcher), OF Miguel Negron. RHP Kelvin Jimenez, C Danilo Sanchez, C Chris Grossman, and OF Ian Church.

– The Cardinals Rule 5 picks in the minor-league portion of the draft were: C Omar Falcon, SS Jose Contreras.

 Edgar Gonzalez hit .392/.473/.580 in 143 at bats for AAA Jupiter last season, and has a .295/.375/.446 overall line in 7 minor league seasons. I don’t know how you can be an infielder and hit like that and not get noticed, but he’ll be 29 this season. He’s currently in winter league, where he’s hitting .271/.366/.401 for Venados de Mazatlan.

Ryan Ludwick hit 28 homeruns for AAA Toledo last season, and has a career .229 isolated power in the minors. Ludwick’s a right handed outfielder who’s spent time in Oakland, Texas, Cleveland and most recently Detroit’s farm system. A once regarded prospect who’s career has been slowed by injury. Could be Chris Duncan’s platoon mate in the Show.

Ian Church is one to root for, he’s making the jump from the indy leagues. Before last season, his career high OPS .715, but this past season he went nuts, leading all indy leaguers with 31 homeruns and a .668 slugging percentage,  and finished 2nd in the Frontier League with his .317 batting average.  Church was Baseball America’s Indy League Player of the Year.

Chris Grossman is another player coming over from the indy leagues, he’s shown a decent batter’s eye and the ability to make contact. After seeing what Josh Kinney did last season in the playoffs, it’s interesting to know who else these scouts are finding in the independent leagues.