Exit Interview: Daniel Descalso

Last year, I spent the time immediately after the season examining each player that had made an appearance in St. Louis during the season.  This series was well received and so I’m bringing this idea back for the 2013 offseason.  More summaries than anything, I imagine the player coming into Mike Matheny‘s office and having a short conference before heading home for the winter.  Stats are just the ones accumulated for the Cardinals during the regular season.

This year’s Exit Interview series is brought to you by Bonfyre.  A large number of the United Cardinal Bloggers used Bonfyre all season long and found it a great way to interact and discuss things in a limited audience.  No need to worry about some pseudo-fan crashing your Facebook conversation or trying to explain fine points in 140 characters on Twitter. Invite who you want to the group and get to talking.  Share pictures as well–Bonfyre is a great way to document parties or other events, especially for folks that can’t be there.  Sign up today and give it a try.

Player: Daniel Descalso

Season stats: 123 games, 358 PA, 43 R, 25 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 43 RBI, 22 BB, 56 K, .238/.290/.366

Hero/Goat: Hero 5, Goat 8

Overall grade: C

Positives: Descalso lived up to the utility infielder label in 2013, playing some second, short and third.  Down the stretch, with the Pete Kozma experience pretty much run its course, Descalso made many a start at shortstop and provided a little more offense (which shows you where the bar was) while being a little off defensively.  Descalso tends to put together some good at-bats in important situations, no matter what the overall numbers may look like.

Negatives: It’s a long way from the offensive highs of 2011.  While his BA ticked up from 2012, his OBP declined for the third straight year.  He’s stretched to play shortstop on a regular basis and the other positions he’s capable of handling have much better options at them.

Outlook: Given his well-liked personality and his availability to do most everything off the bench, expect Descalso to continue in his Jose Oquendo apprenticeship in 2014.  Perhaps we can get him on the mound so he can be the next Aaron Miles.

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