Shumaker Channels Knoblauch

Written by: Aaron Hooks on 12th March 2009

Shumaker Channels Knoblauch | read this item

“The errors I’ve made have come when I’ve had time to think about it.” – Cardinals second baseman Jared ‘Skip’ Shumaker after his fourth error in 10 games, dropping his fielding percentage to .826 for the spring.

“It weighs on me. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t.”

Two words: uh-oh.

We knew this wasn’t going to be an easy transition. In fact I think most Cardinal fans would have said that 4 errors in 10 games for a guy who has never, ever played second base and is learning at the Major League level would be borderline acceptable. But here’s the rub: Shumaker is starting to press.

And when you start to press you think more. Baseball isn’t Jeopardy. Baseball doesn’t have a history of savants. You swing a stick at a ball and it go far. Or into glove. That’s it. The more you think, the more you stink.

The fact that Jared is starting to question his ability to get the job done makes me start to worry about this experiment in the first place.

For the uninitiated the brief story is this: Cardinals have too many outfielders, they think Amanda Kennedy is a woman, they release Kennedy and covert outfielder Shumaker to second base… end scene.

Now 3.5 weeks until opening day and Shumaker seems to be regressing. Normally this wouldn’t be a concern…BUT… Shumaker is basically the only leadoff hitter that’s had any noticeable lead off experience on the roster. That means regardless if he plays at second base or left field- he’s going to play. But having second base manned up by Brendan Ryan weakens the Cardinals offensively at two positions, just not one with a shift since Chris Duncan is having a solid spring and is a legitimate power threat.

Right now the warning sirens are starting to sound… but the crap storm hasn’t touched down. In 10 days one of Tony LaRussa’s boldest moves is going to be under scrutiny… let’s hope Jared has turned a corner by then…stay tuned.

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Topics: Bad Fielding, Brendan Ryan, Cardinals Second Base, Errors, Skip Shumaker, Tony LaRussa