The Cardinals will promote top outfield prospect Stephen Piscotty to join the team in Chicago on Tuesday, reports Rob Rains of StlSportsPage.com (Twitter link).
The 24-year-old Piscotty entered the season ranked as the No. 32 prospect, according to Baseball Prospectus. ESPN’s Keith Law (62), Baseball America (79), Fangraphs (81) and MLB.com (90) all included the former No. 36 overall pick in their Top 100 prospects as well. He’s performed well with Triple-A Memphis on the heels of those strong rankings, batting .272/.366/.475 with 11 homers in 372 plate appearances.
Piscotty was drafted as a third baseman in 2012 but moved to the corner outfield in his first full season of pro ball in 2013. This season, he’s appeared primarily right field (61 games) but also has 10 games in left field and eight games at first base. BP praised Piscotty’s hit tool and ability to barrel the ball, as well as good balance at the plate and a general comfort/good approach in the batter’s box. Fangraphs’ Kiley McDaniel noted that he had the potential for 20-homer power, though it had yet to manifest entering the season. BA notes that while there’s some question about his power, it’s very likely that he’ll hit for average and display strong on-base skills to go with a plus arm in right field.
The Cardinals don’t currently have a spot for Piscotty in the outfield — at least not a regular spot — as the three positions are occupied by Matt Holliday (left), Randal Grichuk (center) and Jason Heyward (right). Peter Bourjos‘ elite glove makes him a logical fit as a fourth outfielder, if not more. Tommy Pham is in the role of fifth outfielder at this time. Piscotty could perhaps fit as an option at first base, where the Cardinals have received little in the way of offensive production from Mark Reynolds over the past six weeks (.213/.280/.383 dating back to June 1).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Show casing him for a Hamels trade, I like it.
The guy hasn’t play 1B in his pro career outside 6 games, so I think maybe they should move the slower-footed, older veteran Matt Holliday over to 1B if someone has to learn a new position. Oh and I was joking about the very first line about Hamels.
This is not Show casing…..Piscotty will take over for Heyward in 2016…….
And someone apparently didn’t read the entire post……..(threw in the extra …. since I see you like using them)
He’d be a great fit as 4th OF and a platoon mate for Adams next season.
It’s not a showcase, if he can be a league average hitter at 1B, it’s a huge upgrade.
Holliday in the infield would be ugly. He’ll be in LF his entire career unless we see the DH.
Reynolds never was able to hit for average but had HR power. Now, that’s gone. Piscotty will play 1B.