Future Redbirds

lboros had an excellent interview with Jeff Luhnow. There’s some pretty interesting stuff there, including insight on the Cardinals mixed philosophy on their draft strategy of scouting and stats, drawing wisdom from the likes of Sig Mejdal (famous stat head from Sam Walker’s Fantasyland) and Joe Alvarez. Luhnow’s a very sharp guy, and there’s a chance he could be the GM once Walt decides to ride off into the sunset.

Huzzah! Chris Narveson cleared waivers He now will join the AAA roster and is a lock for the rotation along with Blake Hawksworth. I would’ve liked to see him get a better look this spring at the rotation, but them’s the breaks. I’m surprised no one scooped him up. Falkenborg also went down along with Narvie.

MLB.com has a full org spring training report.

It’s official, Rasmus and Jon Jay to break camp with the Springfield team. That’s pretty big news and I’m glad to see them both being aggressively promoted. Stavinoha, Gorecki, Cazana (the artist formerly known as Marti) could fill the other corner spot.

Jose Martinez is one of BA’s breakout candidates going into 2007:

The Cardinals rave about his instincts, and one source with the club calls him the best defensive infielder in the organization. The performance has been there with the bat since Martinez signed, so the only question is whether or not he’ll be able to stay at short. “He doesn’t have all the tools. He’s a below-average runner, for example, and that may mean he has below average range, but his hands are plus-plus,” a front-office official with an American League club said. “So taking the question in range into the equation, he’s likely a second baseman at best, a utility guy at worst. He has enough power to generate extra base hits and he has decent plate discipline.”

See Cardblogger Dan’s take on Nick Webber’s recent move back to the pen. He’s optimistic about the move, as am I.

The 26th Man is riled up about Chris Perez’s future.

Troy Cate has one nasty bruise.

Just when I was ready to bury Travis Hanson, he’s back.

Kevin Goldstein has his state of the NL Central prospects, and he’s pretty excited about Daryl Jones.

I Like Him Better Than Most: Also a candidate for the Jackson/Griffin award (ed note: tool-sy busts), I could be a complete sucker for outfielder Daryl Jones’ tools and ceiling, but the improvements he made from 2005 to 2006 were impressive, and his full-season debut is met with great anticipation.

He’s also pretty bearish on my personal prospect pet Jon Jay.

Ross Detwiler update: Detwiler saw his shutout disappear in a 3 run 8th inning against Northern Iowa, but his team rallied back to get the victory 4-3. He allowed 6 hits, 3 walks, 3 runs and struck out 12