You can’t have a strong defense if you are weak up the middle, and it appears the Cardinals are building from the middle in a very specific way in 2017. While the first two picks are unable to begin talks with St. Louis until their season officially ends, Zach Kirtley has a shot of being the answer to a trivia question that may trip up many in a few years.
An OBP machine for St. Mary’s, Kirtley has an utility infielder profile but could stick at 2B if he cuts down on the errors. He nearly doubled the rest of his teammates in walks, including one Austin Piscotty. If that last name sounds familiar it should as big brother Stephen may have provided some inside information for the Birds on the Bat!
