Cardinals Enjoy Employing The Shift

ST. LOUIS—More than a decade ago, the Cardinals attempted to lobby one of their young, idling catchers to make a shift to the mound. Big league manager Mike Matheny, then the Cardinals’ catcher, recalls the one-word view he had on molding Jason Motte into a pitcher: “radical.”

Now there’s another description within the same organization: common.

Since they moved Motte to the mound and allowed Rick Ankiel to reinvent himself as an outfielder, the Cardinals’ rate of conversion has increased. This year alone, the Cardinals have moved Kolten Wong from second base to center field—on the job. Sam Tuivailala, a former third baseman, has had a few cameos in the majors as a reliever.

Since 2010, at least 20 players have advanced at least one level at a position more demanding or a completely different discipline than the one they signed on to play. It feels as if the Cardinals are doing it more often.

“The answer is . . . yes,” general manager John Mozeliak said. “When you look at the modern game, there does seem to be a real value in having a roster with some flexibility . . . You’re looking for value—but it’s about optimizing what they have. Where is it a best fit?”

This year’s headliner of the transformer group is catcher Carson Kelly. One of the system’s two representatives at the Futures Game, Kelly came to the Cardinals as a high school third baseman from Portland, Ore., who signed for $1.6 million, the highest bonus in the second round of the 2012 draft.

The Cardinals rated Kelly’s individual traits and believed that with his arm, hands, and what Matheny referred to as his presence, he could make the switch.

“When I was a position player, you’re not thinking about Plan B,” Tuivailala said. “You’re only thinking that you can make it
. . . (at) your first role. They’re looking at guys for what else they can also do.”

REDBIRD CHIRPS

• The Cardinals called up righty Mike Mayers for a spot start on July 24. He allowed nine runs against the Dodgers, after recording a 2.62 ERA in 107 minor league innings.

• After months spent attempting to return to the mound, Tim Cooney relented to surgery. The lefty had a bone spur near the capsule in his shoulder, which led to persistent discomfort that inhibited Cooney from pitching.