VIERA, Fla. • Cardinals catcher Carson Kelly, who started and hit eighth against the Nationals on Sunday at Space Coast Stadium, arrived at spring training having won a minor-league gold glove behind the plate, but searching for signs of growth at it.
The converted third baseman hit .225/.263/.339 at High-A Palm Beach last season, though manager Mike Matheny has encouraged looking beyond the slash line.
"He can hit," Matheny said before the 4-4 draw with the Nats. "I don't care what he hit last year. Same conversations we had about (Magneuris) Sierra. Just young kids.