St. Louis Cardinals utility man Jose Martinez needs to play every day, no matter what it means from the Matt Carpenter or Jed Gyorko.
2017 was a season of the highest highs and lowest lows for the St. Louis Cardinals. Jose Martinez, among a few others, was a bright spot for a team searching for its identity. Overshadowed by the “Phamtastic” Tommy Pham, Martinez took advantage of every opportunity at the plate; coming up big for the Redbirds in many spots last season.
Speaking of opportunity, Martinez needs more of them in 2018, or the St.Louis Cardinals will pay the price. Dearly. His slash line boasted a .316/.386/.517, with 14 home runs, 46 RBI, 47 runs scored — in only 272 at-bats (307 plate appearances). Even Matt Carpenter agrees.
Thought it was interesting that Matt Carpenter said yesterday that Jose Martinez was among the team's nine best hitters and that Mike Matheny had to find ways to get his bat in the lineup.
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) March 14, 2018
Even if it means sending Jed Gyorko, or even the injury-plagued Matt Carpenter to the bench, then so be it — Martinez must play every day. Now, his defense is the primary reason for Mike Matheny not playing him each day, but with a bat such as that, plug him in at first base — Martinez even showed signs of consistency the more he played. Imagine that?
Thankfully, it seems that Matheny is (finally) realizing this truth, moving around Carp and Gyroko as a utility man this Spring. Meanwhile, Martinez is plugged in (mostly) at first base and is picking up right where he left off last season — with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch giving us a bit of insight on the matter.
Jose Martinez continues to prove he's one of the Cardinals' eight best hitters, and hint that last year was no joke. He rockets a double, drives in another run. Nice day. Nice spring. Nice swing. #STLCards
— Joe Trezza (@JoeTrezz) March 18, 2018
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The St. Louis Cardinals lineup needs to look a bit like this:
- Dexter Fowler — Rightfield
- Tommy Pham — Centerfield
- Marcell Ozuna — Leftfield
- Paul DeJong — Shortstop
- Matt Carpenter/Jed Gyorko — Third base
- Jose Martinez — First base
- Yadier Molina — Catcher
- Kolten Wong — Second base
Three players for two spots is always an excellent problem to have, but, if Matheny plays the wrong two players; it could hinder the Cardinals’ playoff chances. And, if Martinez shows signs of scuffling or if he needs a break, then there is a plan B.
Plus, Gyoroko initially was a utility man when he arrived in St. Louis and that role suits him well. 2017 shows that in spades if you compare his first-half numbers with his second-half production. His first start to the season boasted All-Star like numbers — .300/.364/.519 and 13 home runs.
He came down to earth a bit, finishing with a line of .272/.341/.472 and only provided seven second-half long bombs. Now, the same fate might become of Martinez once he logs more MLB at-bats, but don’t count on it.
With the St. Louis Cardinals pitching stealing the show in Jupiter, Florida; the play of Jose Martinez bodes well for the team moving forward — where the offense is projected to be the strength of the Redbirds. If he’s in the everyday lineup, he will be the X-factor for the Redbirds MLB postseason chances.