Of all positions in the Cardinals system, first base is perhaps the one that developed the most unexpectedly. While there was no need for a real succession plan due the long-term presence of Albert Pujols, and then Lance Berkman on the roster as well, it was a spot that could have left the team sorely in need of help. However, Allen Craig stepped up in both the wake of the departure of Pujols and injury issues of Berkman a year ago, and claimed it for his own. Fast forward a year later, and the position has both a long-term answer and yet another blooming talent at the MLB level in Matt Adams. But how will the future play out overall at the position? And will the surplus of talent lead to moves being made at spot, or will other issues make the team gun shy about jumping to any conclusions still?

St. Louis: Craig came into his own as a full-time player last season. In his second full season, he played in 119 games and hit .307. He entered the season as a sort of utility man to support Berkman, as well as Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran in the outfield, but due to the repeated injuries to Berkman, he made 83 starts at first base and the position was his permanently by late summer. The 29-year old finished third on the team in runs batted in, helped in part by a National League-best .400 batting average with runners in scoring position. The team made a 5-year $31 million dollar commitment to him in response to his 2012, which presented another interesting situation in what to do with prospect Matt Adams.

Adams, who has averaged 20 homers a year in his minor league career and was the organization’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2011, found himself on the big league roster coming out of the spring. He has shown prodigious power, but is a fish out of water due to first base being his only position with Craig blocking him there. For now, the 24-year old will continue to be a potential big impact bat and spot starter in case of rest or a trip to the outfield for Craig, but of any of the organization’s top prospect, he is the one with a future that seems most likely to be spent elsewhere.

High Minors: With Adams with the big club, there is nothing of particular emphasis at Memphis currently regarding first base. Brock Peterson is manning it currently, but career minor leaguer is more his path. Xavier Scruggs will return to Springfield as a 25 year old for a second consecutive year, and while he has shown consistent power during his five year rise through the system (20+ homers the past three years), he still hasn’t put much pressure on breaking into even Triple A yet.

Low Minors: There’s not a particularly emergent player at the lower levels of the minors at first currently either. Danny Steinstra (24) and Jonathan Rodriguez (23) are in a time split at the position at Palm Beach, while David Washington (22) is manning the corner the next step down in Peoria. None of the trio profiles as a solution much further along the minors based on past performance and advanced age for the level. Among the more developmental prospects in the lower level is Jeremy Schaffer, who hit 10 home runs and 20 doubles at Rookie level Johnson City in 2012 after being an 18^th round pick last June. He will open at Low-A Peoria, but if the 20-year old continues along with the same production as his pro debut began with, he’ll quickly rise to be the best prospect at the position in the organization.

Synopsis: First base is a top heavy position for the Cardinals, where the best talent is already on display at the Major League-level. Craig and Adams are both the future, simultaneously, so something will have to give eventually. But neither is making it easy, Craig with his fresh long-term deal and penchant for driving in runs, and Adams with his epically long drives. Yet a decision will have to be made, and once it is, the system as it currently stands does not offer much follow up promise behind either. The positive thing is that neither HAS to go anywhere anytime soon, and that is a good for staying strong at the top, while building in the system.

Photo by Erika Lynn

The Kansas City Royals have not given their fans much to get excited about for the upcoming 2011 season. Their biggest, and only legitimate, superstar in Zack Greinke was traded to Milwaukee, thus leaving their rotation depleted. They’ve brought in a couple of average-at-best hitters in Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera to fill the holes in their outfield created by other deals. The faith of the entire organization is in the Royals farm system that has been called the best in Major League Baseball, led by slugger Mike Moustakas.

Let loose The Moose

Royals’ fans need a boost of energy. They need something about this team to get excited about. They need a new face of the franchise. Here’s a quick solution to all three of those needs: Name Moustakas the starting third baseman for the 2011 season. He is ready. Look at this stat line from last year: .322 BA, 36 HR, 124 RBI, .999 OPS, and only 67 strikeouts in 534 plate appearances between Northwest Arkansas and Omaha. What else does he need to learn in the minor leagues?

Now, the Royals may be a little gun-shy after seeing the struggles of Alex Gordon. There was just as much excitement for the arrival of Gordon in 2007, but he had only spent one season in the minor leagues. Moustakas now has four seasons of minor league ball under his belt, and he has succeeded at every level. Also, it’s not like the Royals have anyone blocking his position. Does anyone really think that journeyman Wilson Betemit is the answer at the hot corner? It’s highly doubtful.

It’s been rumored the Royals want to bring up their most advanced prospects at the same time, in order to keep that core group together for as long as possible at any level. The fact of the matter is that Moustakas is more ready than any one else in the system, and it would be a mistake to make him wait any longer. The ideal outcome would be that he hits the ground running, possibly even putting Jason Heyward-type numbers. Even if that isn’t the case, he has to learn how to succeed at the highest level at some point. Moustakas is certain to struggle at some point when he makes it to the big club, but learning to handle those struggles both physically and mentally will be key to a successful career with Kansas City. The Royals are not going to be competitive in the near future, so this seems like an ideal time to start calling these super-prospects up to see how they can perform against the best of the best.

So, give Moustakas the call. Name him your starting third baseman for this upcoming season, attach him to hitting coach Kevin Seitzer’s hip, and watch him mold into a superstar. The Royals are staring down the barrel of another triple-digit loss season. The organization knows it, the players know it, and the fans know it. However, if Moustakas turns out to be as dominant as scouts say he is, that little light at the end of the tunnel could start to faintly appear. The future of the Royals is now, and it starts with Mike Moustakas.