JUPITER, Fla. — Much has been made about the upper part of the Cardinals’ lineup, which has three 30-homer hitters returning from last season in Paul Goldschmidt, Tyler O’Neill and Nolan Arenado, and now Dylan Carlson’s 18 home runs have been transferred to the leadoff spot from No. 5.
Albert Pujols, Paul DeJong and Yadier Molina, who have put up power numbers in varying degrees, ranging from Pujols’ 679 home runs on down, will be next. And then the bottom of the DH-mandated Cardinals lineup now is the speed portion of the club.
Harrison Bader doesn’t steal that much but he had nine thefts in 13 tries last season and Tommy Edman, who does steal that much, had 30 (in only 35 tries), which was second in the National League.