2014 St. Louis Cardinals Preview – First Base

And on we roll around the horn from behind the plate to the first stop on the basepaths.

Cardinals fans were lucky enough to witness one of the greatest hitters in history manning first from 2004-2011. When he moved on, it wasn’t unreasonable to expect at least a bit of a drop in production, but thankfully, Allen Craig has stepped up huge the last two seasons, even earning an All-Star nod last season.

This year, though, it’s pretty easy to project yet another starter at first base, as the the departure of Carlos Beltran coupled with the season-ending injury suffered by super-prospect Oscar Taveras has left an opening in right field, where it’s likely Allen Craig will move.

32 Matt Adams

2013 stats – .284/.335/.503, 17 HR, 51 RBI, 1.2 WAR

I wrote about Matt Adams a couple years ago and predicted he could be starting at first base by 2014. I’m really hoping he gets the nod for opening day if only to say I was actually right.

It doesn’t happen often. 🙁

Regardless, Adams broke out last year, cranking 17 bombs in limited playing time, posting the best HR/PA out of any Cardinal (one every 18.8 plate appearances). It’s pretty safe to say he’s a pull hitter based on his spray chart, and he hit the vast majority of his home runs over the right field wall.

That isn’t to say he can’t go opposite field, though. He hit several extra base hits oppo, and he’s young enough that he could develop some pop to left.

When he gets a hold of them, though, he can produce some shots, as evidenced by this shot against Arizona.

What’s that? Another one? Well alright.