Predicting the St. Louis Cardinals' 2015 Starting Lineup After Winter Meetings

Predicting the St. Louis Cardinals' 2015 Starting Lineup After Winter Meetings

By Pete Schwichtenberg

December 18, 2014

Predicting the St. Louis Cardinals' 2015 Starting Lineup After Winter Meetings

Matt Carpenter St. Louis Cardinals — The St. Louis Cardinals didn't make any big-time moves in the lineup at the winter meetings, but after a season where the Cardinals' offense struggled, changes were made to the top of the lineup before the meetings started. Here is a look at the new look Cardinal lineup after the winter meetings.

The St. Louis Cardinals didn't make any big-time moves in the lineup at the winter meetings, but after a season where the Cardinals' offense struggled, changes were made to the top of the lineup before the meetings started. Here is a look at the new look Cardinal lineup after the winter meetings.

1. Jason Heyward

Jason Heyward Atlanta Braves

1. Jason Heyward

Jason Heyward Atlanta Braves — When Jason Heyward entered the league and homered on his first at-bat, he looked to be destined for stardom. While he has not shown the same power that was once expected, he still is a solid bat at the top of the lineup. Providing punch to the leadoff spot, Heyward batted .271 with 11 home runs and a .351 OBP. His addition allows Matt Carpenter to move to a spot that better suits his abilities.

When Jason Heyward entered the league and homered on his first at-bat, he looked to be destined for stardom. While he has not shown the same power that was once expected, he still is a solid bat at the top of the lineup. Providing punch to the leadoff spot, Heyward batted .271 with 11 home runs and a .351 OBP. His addition allows Matt Carpenter to move to a spot that better suits his abilities.

2. Matt Carpenter

Matt Carpenter St. Louis Cardinals

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2. Matt Carpenter

Matt Carpenter St. Louis Cardinals — Since his promotion to the big leagues, Carpenter has done everything that has been asked of him. He is a great example of a player who exemplifies the Cardinal way, who gets on base and has great knowledge at the plate. Last October, he showed that he can be a run producer and sliding into the two spot should give him many more RBI opportunities.

Since his promotion to the big leagues, Carpenter has done everything that has been asked of him. He is a great example of a player who exemplifies the Cardinal way, who gets on base and has great knowledge at the plate. Last October, he showed that he can be a run producer and sliding into the two spot should give him many more RBI opportunities.

3. Matt Holliday

Matt Holliday St. Louis Cardinals

3. Matt Holliday

Matt Holliday St. Louis Cardinals — After a relativley weak first half of the season, Matt Holliday silenced his critics about his power outage by homering 14 times in the second half as he put the team on his back. Though he will be 35 in January, he is still the Cardinals' biggest run-producing threat.

After a relativley weak first half of the season, Matt Holliday silenced his critics about his power outage by homering 14 times in the second half as he put the team on his back. Though he will be 35 in January, he is still the Cardinals' biggest run-producing threat.

4. Matt Adams

Matt Adams St. Louis Cardinals

4. Matt Adams

Matt Adams St. Louis Cardinals — Matt Adams didn't smash 30 home runs last season in his first full year as the team's starting first baseman, but he did mature as a hitter. Once a dead pull hitter, Adams forced teams to play him honest by driving the ball the other way. He hit 15 homers last year and with another full year under his belt, expect his numbers to rise.

Matt Adams didn't smash 30 home runs last season in his first full year as the team's starting first baseman, but he did mature as a hitter. Once a dead pull hitter, Adams forced teams to play him honest by driving the ball the other way. He hit 15 homers last year and with another full year under his belt, expect his numbers to rise.

5. Yadier Molina

Yadier Molina St. Louis Cardinals

5. Yadier Molina

Yadier Molina St. Louis Cardinals — Yadier Molina may be one of the best catchers to every play the game, but he has also developed into one of the best hitting catchers too. Once an afterthought in the eight stop, he has developed into a heart-of-the-order hitter by continually improving his hitting approach. Injuries forced his average under .300 for the first time in four years, but if fully healthy, his numbers should be back on track in 2015.

Yadier Molina may be one of the best catchers to every play the game, but he has also developed into one of the best hitting catchers too. Once an afterthought in the eight stop, he has developed into a heart-of-the-order hitter by continually improving his hitting approach. Injuries forced his average under .300 for the first time in four years, but if fully healthy, his numbers should be back on track in 2015.

6. Jhonny Peralta

Jhonny Peralta St. Louis Cardinals

6. Jhonny Peralta

Jhonny Peralta St. Louis Cardinals — When the Cardinals acquired Jhonny Peralta coming off of a PED suspension, there were a lot of questions about his legitimacy. But last season by batting .263 with 21 home runs, he helped to show that he still is among the elite hitting shortstops in the game.

When the Cardinals acquired Jhonny Peralta coming off of a PED suspension, there were a lot of questions about his legitimacy. But last season by batting .263 with 21 home runs, he helped to show that he still is among the elite hitting shortstops in the game.

7. Kolten Wong

Kolten Wong St. Louis Cardinals

7. Kolten Wong

Kolten Wong St. Louis Cardinals — Many thought that Kolten Wong was a sure bet for Rookie of the Year in 2014. While he did have his struggles and was even demoted early in the year, Wong showed glimpses of his bright future throughout the second half of the season. He finished hitting .249 with 12 home runs and looks to be a second baseman who will feature above-average power as his career continues.

Many thought that Kolten Wong was a sure bet for Rookie of the Year in 2014. While he did have his struggles and was even demoted early in the year, Wong showed glimpses of his bright future throughout the second half of the season. He finished hitting .249 with 12 home runs and looks to be a second baseman who will feature above-average power as his career continues.

8. Jon Jay

Jon Jay St. Louis Cardinals

8. Jon Jay

Jon Jay St. Louis Cardinals — Jon Jay may not be the most feared Cardinal, but he continues to get the job done for them in centerfield. He doesn't have much power, but with a .303 batting average and above-average defensive skills, he may be one of the best hitting options at the eight spot in the whole league.

Jon Jay may not be the most feared Cardinal, but he continues to get the job done for them in centerfield. He doesn't have much power, but with a .303 batting average and above-average defensive skills, he may be one of the best hitting options at the eight spot in the whole league.

9. Adam Wainwright

Adam Wainwright St. Louis Cardinals

9. Adam Wainwright

Adam Wainwright St. Louis Cardinals — Not only is Adam Wainwright the best pitcher on the Cardinals' staff, but he can swing it a bit too. With a .202 career average and six career home runs, he is no easy out at the bottom of the order.

Not only is Adam Wainwright the best pitcher on the Cardinals' staff, but he can swing it a bit too. With a .202 career average and six career home runs, he is no easy out at the bottom of the order.

Pete Schwichtenberg is a MLB writer for Rantsports. Follow @schwick26_pete, Like him on Facebook, or Add him to your Google Network.

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