The final day of the Cardinals Winter Warm-Up brought on a few heavy hitters, with some highlight topic as well. The chief among them all was manager Mike Matheny, who is has a spotlight over him entering his second season at the helm. As can be expected, he addressed a wide range of topics, from positional battles and pitching projects, all the way to his publicized financial losses and the passing of Stan Musial.

• Matheny stressed a very involved method of learning from his first season on the job, including keeping contact with his players throughout the winter. He’s placed importance on their feedback as part of his preparation, as well as speaking with coaches from other sports for perspective as well.Looking back at last season, Says the difference between a plenty of wins were small things that can be fixed and focused on. Says it’s a waste of time to dwell on them, and “it’s a matter of controlling things you can control, and that’s where I come in.”
• Approaching this season, he is confident in the evolution of the club: “I think we have made some adjustments to our club. Some of our younger players are different players now with the experience they have, and I think we have a chance to be much better than 88 games.”
• In regards to player usage, there was a focus on resting players more often but within reason. Stresses that it is a case by case with managing players. Also there is the situation of understanding how to enable younger players to know how to battle.
• One of the players that benefited in this fashion a year ago was Allen Craig. Matheny stated he learned how to “grind through and push through times when he probably wouldn’t have in the past. And what that does for the respect level in the clubhouse.” Said he has few holes in his swing, and that he has the chance to be an elite level hitter.
• Going back on what was indicated by John Mozeliak earlier in the weekend; Matheny says that second base is open, but that the healthiest thing to do is for everybody to walk into camp ready to compete, regardless of position. “Second base has certainly presented some opportunities, and the competition should be fun to watch.”
• In regards to the reported losses his sustained from a real estate venture before signing with the ballclub last year, he stated that much of that story was misreported. Explained it had no impact on his managing, and that there were “There were no woes, financially.”
• Regarding the loss of Musial, Matheny said he first met him 20 years ago as a minor league ballplayer and he feels strongly about making a visible tribute to him on the uniform this year. “I think everybody gets how important Mr. Musial was, and still is and will be to this organization and community.

In addition to the skipper, David Freese and Yadier Molina showed up to address the direction of the club headed off a tough ending to 2012. John Mabry made an appearance to discuss his new role with the club, and both contenders for the second base slot were in attendance as well.

• Matt Carpenter described having more confidence in place with the organization after last season. Says he loves playing in St. Louis and “We’re envied by a lot other players. Guys are always talking about what it’s like to be Cardinal.”  Is going to take the same mindset into the spring as any other year, and is focused on winning second base job. He is okay with playing there a few times a week, or not at all, as long as he can contribute somewhere.

• Daniel Descalso acknowledged having a lot of struggles offensively, but felt like he squared the ball more often down the stretch, which led to his success. Said he is excited about working with John Mabry, and expects it to be a seamless transition between him and McGwire.

• Yadier Molina expressed he is excited about working with the young pitchers that will compete for a place on the team, and that developing their understanding of the game is just as important as their play. “When I came up my first couple of years, my mind was my real test. I use that for the young guys. You have to work with their mind and give him confidence. If they so you not confident, they are going to feel that way too.”
• He expressed an excitement in playing for his homeland of Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, and that playing in the Puerto Rican winter league, as well as spending the winter residing in Jupiter, Florida close to the club’s spring training facilities was part of his advanced preparation for the season, due to the time he will miss in camp participating.

• John Mabry said that his promotion to hitting coach was a surprise, but “I’m still home. And if I was to go back into baseball it would be with the St. Louis Cardinals, the team that drafted me and developed me.” On his philosophy for the preparing batters, he feels “The separation point between players is the mental approach, and good and great, great and awesome. Staying with your game plan, and not deviating from it unless forced to.”
• Continued on that Says there are surprises coming, and that Oscar Taveras is the club’s best hitting prospect since Albert Pujols. The hope is that he doesn’t come up right away, because that means everybody is healthy. You don’t want to have a talent like that on the bench. Says infielders Kolten Wong and Greg Garcia will come to camp and get more at-bats due to the WBC, and will have opportunities to improve their stock.

• David Freese said he had a much slower offseason than last year, which he enjoyed, but that the way the season ended is still sticking with him. “It was very disappointing. As a St. Louis Cardinal, you expect to make the playoffs but also reach the World Series. But you think about game 5, 6 and 7 and you realize it wasn’t meant to be.”
• On the experience of playing in the first Wild Card play-in Game, expressed it as a unique and high pressure scenario and a strong incentive to play to win the division every year. “I haven’t really been around too long, but that’s insane. I rarely get nervous, but I was nervous that game. We were 7 games behind Atlanta, and we’re playing them. It was crazy.”
  

Naturals’ outfielder Wil Myers has been selected as the Texas League Player of the Week for the period of April 23^rd-29^th, Texas League President Tom Kayser announced Monday.

The 21-year old Thomasville, NC resident hit safely in all six games he played in the past week, and hit .556 (10-for-18) with two home runs, six RBI’s, three walks, and two stolen bases.  A Texas League All-Star last season, Myers is batting .354 with six home runs and 14 RBI’s in his second season with Northwest Arkansas.

The Kansas City Royals’ third-best prospect overall according to Baseball America, Myers is taking home a player of the week award in the Texas League for the first time.

Tulsa Drillers starting pitcher Dan Houston was named as the league’s pitcher of the week.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale.  Visit our website, nwanaturals.com, for information on season tickets and ticket plans.

The week of Thanksgiving brings a time for all of us to be thankful for family, friends, health, any a myriad of other things that each of us finds important. Here at I-70 Baseball, we take this time to show some thanks to some players that spent some time wearing both of the uniforms of our two teams, the Cardinals and Royals.

The requirements are that simple: the inducted player had to play for both the Cardinals and Royals in his career. From there, it is pure judgement of I-70 Baseball to say they deserve enshrinement in our “Hall Of Legends”. This year we induct five new legends to join the inaugural group of five from last season. The original five inductees were manager Whitey Herzog, pitchers Dan Quisenberry and Danny Jackson, outfielder Reggie Sanders, and catcher Darrell Porter.

The next inductee is second baseman Mark Grudzielanek.

Grudzielanek’s career began outside of the Missouri borders. In fact, to be more specific, his major league baseball career began outside of the borders of the United States with his 1995 debut for the Montreal Expos. A speedy second baseman with what could only be described as “gap power”, Grudzielanek would propel himself to his first All Star Game during just his second season in the league. That 1996 season would see him achieve over 200 hits for the one and only time in his career. It would also mark his only appearance in the mid summer classic.

After the first three and a half seasons of his career, Grudzielanek would be traded from Montreal out west to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Los Angeles would be home for Grudzielanek until another trade prior to the 2003 season would land him in Chicago with the Cubs.

With 1456 career hits, Grudzielanek would sign a free agent contract to join the St. Louis Cardinals for the 2005 season. His only season in Cardinal red was productive and solid for a franchise that had a revolving door at the position throughout the first decade of the twenty first century. While he was anything but spectacular, he was solid and brought some semblance of normalcy to the position, playing in 137 games and driving in 59 runs over the course of the season. His RBI total that year would be the second highest of his career.

The Cardinals would fail to retain him after that season, however, and Grudzielanek would make the trip across interstate 70 to join the Kansas City Royals for the next three seasons. From 2006-2008, he would provide more of the same, solid play at second base that had defined his career. In 2007, he would be recognized for his defensive prowess with the Gold Glove Award at second base. He would keep his average near the .300 mark, his runs batted in near 50, and his strikeouts below 70 for the three season that he wore Royal Blue.

Grudzielanek would finish his 15 year career with 2040 hits, 391 doubles, 640 runs batted in, 946 runs scored, and a .289 career batting average.

For his consistent play, his Gold Glove defense, and because sometimes you need a player that is dependable over one that is flashy, I-70 Baseball places Mark Grudzielanek in the Hall Of Legends.

Bill Ivie is the editor here at I-70 Baseball as well as the Assignment Editor for BaseballDigest.com.
He is the host of I-70 Radio, hosted every week on BlogTalkRadio.com.
Follow him on Twitter here.

Christian Colon left college with glowing accolades and a reputation as a good-character, team-first player. But he’s struggled at the plate from day one, and is having a hard time living up to the expectations that come with being the fourth player chosen in the draft.

Colon is laboring along in his second season with the Royals, providing solid but unspectacular play at shortstop for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. But his future at that position is tenuous.

Ever since the 2010 draft, it has been rumored that Colon just didn’t have the physical tools to stay at shortstop. His short, stocky build may not allow him to field the position. But to this point, Colon isn’t anticipating a move.

“I’ve been playing some second, but it’s been pretty much “You’re our shortstop.” They just put me at second to get some reps in case something happens. But I feel comfortable at second base.”

Some speculate the best Colon can become is a solid-hitting utility player, backing up starters at second, short and third. According to Colon, he’s played a little at third in the past, but never in the professional ranks.

So what do the Royals have in Colon?

Alcides Escobar’s defense leaves Colon in the dust. And with Escobar under contract for the next several seasons, that position appears to be locked up. Chris Getz and Johnny Giavotella are performing adequately in KC, so there doesn’t seem to be an opening at second.

There is always a need for a versatile backup, but the Royals added Yamaico Navarro seemingly for that purpose. Plus Getz is now playing some short. So there is hardly a gaping hole for Colon to fill.

Colon will most certainly advance to Triple-A Omaha next season, but from there his future looks uncertain.

When the Royals made Colon the fourth choice in the draft, were they fooled by his play against lesser competition? Were they too enamored with his character? Or was the problem that there just wasn’t anyone better available?

The fifth player chosen, pitcher Drew Pomeranz looks like a future starter for the Rockies after being dealt for Ubaldo Jimenez. The results are still not in for pitchers Barret Loux and Matt Harvey, taken sixth and seventh. But the 13^th pick, Chris Sale, has already pitched excellently in the White Sox bullpen.

Though they had a glaring need for catching prospects, the Royals took Colon over Yasmani Grandal, a backstop who has been solid at several levels in the Reds’ system.

One other player worth comparing to Colon is Cardinals farmhand Zach Cox. The two players are almost exactly the same age, and both came from high-level collegiate programs. Also competing in the Double-A Texas League this season, the 25^th pick Cox is hitting .290 with 10 homers in about 100 fewer at-bats.

So it appears that, other than Sale, no other draftee has outshone Colon to this point. Maybe the key is to be patient and not heap unrealistic expectations on him just yet. Colon, himself, is trying to keep things in perspective.

Definitely I have expectations on me, probably a lot more than the other guys who go out there. I try not to think about it.”

Try as he might, however, Colon can’t ignore the pressure that comes with being a high draft pick.

“It gets to me sometimes. But I’m just doing what I can.”

Like the consummate team player that he is, Colon chooses to focus on the team, which recently clinched first place in the North Division of the Texas League and is now in the playoffs.

“That’s the important thing. You know, we barely missed winning the first half, and now we’re right here in the drivers seat.”

Colon recognizes the challenges ahead – tougher pitching, a possible position change, stiff competition for playing time, and high expectations. But he’s focused on only what’s within his control.

“The Royals have a plan for me, so I’m just doing what I can, trying to get better every day and see what they do with me. I’m just focused on getting better each day.”

	Adron Chambers Center Field AAA-Memphis Redbirds 23-years-old Bats: Left Throws: Left Height: 5’10″ Weight: 185 lbs Drafted by the Cardinals in the 38th round of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft
Just like every Saturday here on i70baseball, the Cardinal Farm Report spotlights one of the prized Cardinal minor leaguers. This week, it is Adron Chambers, the fastest player in the Cardinals organization. I have studied just about all of the Cardinals prospects and this kid sticks out as one of my favorites. After a slow start to the season in Double-A Springfield, the 23-year-old speedster has stepped it up and has made his way onto the Memphis Redbirds roster in only his third minor league season. So far this year, Chambers is hitting .277 in 292 at bats with a .379 OBP, 59 runs, 5 home runs, 28 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. What should excite everybody about this guy is his speed. It’s truly remarkable. I know 12 stolen bases in 91 games doesn’t exactly jump out at you, but this kid is the fastest player in the Cardinals system. There is simply no doubt about it. When Chambers was in college his 40-yard dash time was a breathtaking 4.29. Think about that for a second. To put that number in perspective, Tennessee Titan’s running back Chris Johnson (fastest player in the NFL) runs a 40-yard dash in 4.24 seconds. Usain Bolt? 4.22. In Chambers’ second season in the minors, he legged out 16 triples. In 2009, that number would have been tops in the majors. When asked about his speed, Chambers explained, “I can hit the ball, but my speed is what’s going to get me through. I’m more of a Carl Crawford type of guy.” While Crawford may be a stretch, Juan Pierre or Nyjer Morgan with a little more power is very realistic. I’d project Chambers to be a .285, 85 runs, 30 stolen bases type of MLB player. Last time I checked, that is very respectable. Chambers is not going to hit for power but has the speed and range needed to player center field in the bigs. He has good discipline and patience at the plate and, because of this, draws a lot of walks. In other words, he’s your prototypical leadoff hitter. He’ll always have a high on-base percentage (.374 OBP in last two MiLB seasons) and he flies when he does reach base. With Colby Rasmus in St. Louis, the Cardinals already have their center fielder of the future, but Chambers should be a useful component of the Cardinals’ future plans in some capacity.
MiLB WEEKLY ROUNDUP
AAA-Memphis Redbirds
Record to date: 62-52, second place in the PCL American North, 3 games behind Iowa.This past week: 4-3 The Redbirds started the week off with a win against the first place Omaha Royals but then dropped the final two games of the series. Then Memphis traveled to Las Vegas and let’s just say their luck turned around very quickly. In the first two games of the four-game set, the Redbirds won by a combined 27-10 score. Game three was another slugfest, but the Redbirds were on the wrong end of a 12-10 score.Transactions: Evan MacLane was activated from the 7-day DL and assigned to Memphis (6-7, 4.29 ERA, 65 SO, 121.2 IP), Nate Robertson was assigned to Memphis, Andrew Brown was promoted to Memphis from Springfield (.282, 14 HR, 45 RBI, 252 AB), Francisco Samuel was promoted to Memphis from Springfield (7 saves, 3.08 ERA, 33 SO, 26.1 IP), Fernando Salas was promoted to St. Louis from Memphis (18 saves, 2.53 ERA, 38 SO, 32 IP), Allen Craig was promoted to St. Louis from Memphis (.322, 14 HR, 76 RBI, 283 AB)Coming up: The Redbirds will finish off the Los Vegas series tonight before heading to Reno for another four-game series. Memphis will then come home for the beginning of the Colorado Springs series on Friday.
AA-Springfield Cardinals
Record to date: 21-20 in the second half (59-52 overall), third place in the TEX North, 4 games behind NW Arkansas.This past week: 5-3 Springfield started the week by taking three of five games from NW Arkansas behind great starts by Nick Additon and Brian Broderick. The Cards did not, however, have similar success at home against Arkansas. Game one didn’t go so bad as Arquimedes Nieto got his first AA win of the season. Games two and three did not go Springfield’s way and they ended up losing the series. The Cardinals took game one of the Tulsa series last night. Transactions: Ramon Delgado was promoted to Springfield from Palm Beach (1-2, 1.57 ERA, 53 SO, 51.2 IP), Francisco Samuel was promoted to Memphis from Springfield (7 saves, 3.08 ERA, 33 SO, 26.1 IP), Kyle Mura was released by Springfield (0-2, 7.04 ERA, 3 SO, 7.2 IP), David Freese was assigned to Springfield for a rehab stint (.296, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 240 AB) Coming up: The Cardinals continue their series in Tulsa tonight in game two of four. Then on Wednesday the Cards look to take down Corpus Christi in a three-game set.
A-Palm Beach
Record to date: 20-19 in the second half (59-46 overall), second place in the FSL South, 1 game behind Bradenton.This past week: 4-2 St. Louis’ Advanced A affiliate started the week off by winning the first two games of the Clearwater series before losing the third game. The Cards got back to winning ways on Tuesday for the series-win. Wednesday marked the first game of the Dunedin game, which Palm Beach lost 11-9. Thursday’s game was rained out but they came back on Friday for a 6-2 victory.Transactions: Jesse Simpson was promoted to Palm Beach from Quad Cities (3-2, 2.87 ERA, 68 SO, 59.2 IP), Ramon Delgado was promoted to Springfield from Palm Beach (1-2, 1.57 ERA, 53 SO, 51.2 IP) Coming up: The Cardinals will start off this week with the fifth and final game of the Dunedin series before playing Bradenton and St. Lucie, both in three-game series.
POSITION PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nick Stavinoha, RF, Memphis
.650 AVG (13-for-20), .700 OBP, 8 runs, 3 doubles, 2 home run, 9 RBI, 1 walk
Now that Jon Jay is hitting just about everything and Allen Craig has appeared to figure it out at the major league level, there really isn’t much need for Stav in St. Louis. On the season, Nick is hitting .486 with two home runs and 9 RBI in 30 at bats.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Scott McGregor, SP, Springfield
W, 7 innings pitched, 3 hits, 1 runs, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts
This was certainly McGregor’s best start of the season. It’s been an up and down year for him, but he was bringing it this week. This season, McGregor is 3-3 with a 4.14 ERA and 32 SO in 50 innings.

Justin Hulsey covers the Cardinals for i70baseball.com and his blog, Cardinals Front Office, that is also dedicated to Cardinal baseball.You may follow him on Twitter @JayHulsey by clicking here.