Around The Horn 2010: Part 3 – Second Base

Written by: Bill Ivie on 3rd March 2010

Around The Horn 2010: Part 3 – Second Base | read this item

Welcome to Part 3 of 2010’s “Around the horn”. Over the course of this week we will examine each position for the Cardinals, taking a look at the strengths, the weaknesses, the starters, the bench and any key minor league players at that position.

Today, we will take a look at the second basemen of the organization.

The Starter: Skip Schumaker
This time last year the baseball world was buzzing about an overambitious experiment by the Cardinals organization as they attempted to turn career outfielder Skip Schumaker into a starting second baseman. This season, it appears the experiment has taken hold and Skip walks into camp as this team’s Second Baseman and lead off hitter. Skip continued to do what he does best at the top of the order last season, hitting over .300 with a .303 batting average. Teammates, coaches, and opponents alike showered Skip with praise over his hard work and dedication and by the end of the season, the Cardinals were saying that Skip had become an adequate second baseman that didn’t hurt his team defensively. Myself, I believe in building a strong team defensively up the middle, with solid glove-men at second, short, center and catcher. The Cardinals have traditionally followed this mantra. With the organizational dept at this position, and the depth within the league at this position, Skip will need to improve past the “adequate” moniker if he expects to continue to patrol second base for the Redbirds. That being said, Skip is a plus at the top of the order, though I would like to see him strike out a bit less than his 69 times last season, and is one of the most respected Cardinals in the clubhouse.

The Bench: Julio Lugo and Felipe Lopez
As we throw this hypothetical ball “around the horn”, there is one name that will come up all over the diamond, recent addition Felipe Lopez. Billed as a “Super Utility” player, Felipe will be the technical backup and bench answer to many positions should the starter need a break or falter in any way. Lopez, affectionately nicknamed “Flip”, is coming off a career year hitting .310 with 9 homeruns and 57 RBI all while playing exceptional defense for Arizona and Milwaukee. Flip stated recently that all he wanted throughout the off season was to come back to St. Louis and be a Cardinal, and the deal was finally struck shortly after spring training began. Late in 2009, the Boston Red Sox released what they believed to be a washed up Julio Lugo. The Cardinals, in need for some depth in the middle infield, scooped him up for the league minimum for the remainder of 2009 and all of 2010. Lugo immediately responded well to his change of scenery and provided the pop, glove, and leadership the Cardinals hoped he would. The byproduct of the Lopez signing may be the fact that Lugo’s playing time decreases dramatically. Still, the Cards will benefit from his leadership and veteran presence in the clubhouse and occasionally in the lineup.

Baby Bird: Daniel Descalso
During April of 2009, I had the luxury of covering a few Springfield (AA) Cardinals’ games, including their opening weekend. During that series, I met a young man who was playing second base and had a hot start to his season. What the man lacked in stature, he is only five-foot ten-inches tall, he made up for in presence. Respectful, mature, and humble, Daniel Descalso took a half an hour of his time and spent it with me to help me understand a little about himself. Playing second base in an organization with little depth at that position, Daniel realized that he could climb through the organization quickly if he kept his head down and worked hard. Daniel would go on to advance to Triple-A Memphis before the season was over. After playing in the Arizona Fall League this past season, Daniel joins the list of non roster invitees this Spring to get a good look at what may await him soon at the major league level.

Join us tomorrow as we examine the “hot corner”, third base. It will be one of St. Louis’ worry spots going into the season. We will take a look at David Freese, the apparent front runner for the starting nod, as well as a first look at the Cardinals’ top prospect, Allen Craig.

Topics: 2010 Season Preview, Around the Horn, Baby Bird, Baseball World, Batting Average, bench, Cardinals, Clubhouse, Daniel Descalso, Dedication, Felipe Lopez, Julio Lugo, Mantra, Minor League Players, Moniker, Opponents, Outfielder, Redbirds, second baseman, Second Basemen, Skip Schumaker, St. Louis Cardinals, Starters, Teammates, Technical Backup, Walks