ST. LOUIS -- Their lineup is set and their roster is almost set.
So what does that leave for the Cardinals to figure out during spring training about their position players?
The batting order, of course. Last season, it was all about finding a successor in the two-hole for Carlos Beltran. This spring, manager Mike Matheny has two other issues to focus on:
• How to split up his five lefty hitters with three right-handers.
• Who should hit at the top of the order.
Much can change over the next 44 days, but on the first official workout day for pitchers and catchers, the answers to those and other questions look like this:
1. Answer: Fifth outfielder and utility infielder.
Question: What are the only jobs up for grabs in spring training?
Explanation: Peter Bourjos has a lock on the fourth outfielder's spot and Mark Reynolds knows he's breaking camp as a right-handed-hitting option at first base and pinch-hitter. That still leaves an abundance of candidates for the two remaining roster spots.
In the outfield, Stephen Piscotty, Tommy Pham and perhaps even Xavier Scruggs will be trying to beat out Randal Grichuk for a place on the big-league roster. In the infield, Pete Kozma, Greg Garcia and newcomers Dean Anna and Ty Kelly will be vying for one job.
2. Answer: Pete Kozma.
Question: Who will win the most hotly contested job battle in spring training?
Explanation: Maybe I'm just rooting for Kozma to win the lone wide-open competition this spring. I was that impressed by how Kozma handled a difficult situation with such professionalism last year. From what I have heard about newcomers Anna and Kelly, both bring a more productive bat, but neither is Kozma's equal on defense -- especially at shortstop. With Reynolds on board to provide late-inning thump, perhaps the Cardinals will put more of a priority on defense with the utility role.
If Kozma doesn't make the Opening Day 25-man, his days as a Cardinal likely will be over. Because he is out of options -- Garcia is not, by the way -- he would have to clear waivers before the Cardinals could send him back to Memphis or he could be traded. It's hard to believe no other team would find a use for him at the major league level.
3. Answer: Stephen Piscotty.
Question: Who will get the most at-bats during spring training?
Explanation: Piscotty, 24, stayed with the big-league club until the end of spring training in 2014, two weeks longer than Grichuk, in fact. Piscotty is likely to get an even more extensive look this spring. He said at the Winter Warm-Up that he has tweaked his swing with the hope of hitting more than nine homers this season. You can be sure the Cardinals will want to see how that plays out during spring training. General manager John Mozeliak has said he expects Piscotty to get a shot in St. Louis at some point this season. Piscotty would like for that to happen out of spring training. While that looks like a long shot, he should get plenty of chances to show he's ready.
Check out these images from Cardinals spring training in Jupiter.
4. Answer: Kolten Wong.
Question: Who makes the Cardinals' most prototypical-type leadoff hitter?
Explanation: Bourjos brings more speed and Matt Carpenter a more disciplined eye, but no one on the roster combines a dangerous bat with speed better than the 24-year-old Hawaiian. He has the skills to bat leadoff for a long time in St. Louis -- once he learns to take a walk, that is. Wong walked only 21 times while striking out 72 in 433 plate appearances as a rookie. Perhaps it's just gaining experience. At Memphis in 2013, in 463 PAs, Wong had a solid strikeout/walk ratio with 41 walks to 60 strikeouts. If you don't think youngsters are anxious when they reach the majors, consider that of the four Cardinals position players to average fewer than one walk every 20 plate appearances last year, three were rookies and the other was Matt Adams.
5. Answer: Matt Carpenter.
Question: Who will open the season as the Cardinals' leadoff hitter?
Explanation: Carpenter just might make the team's best leadoff, two-hole and three-hole hitter. But he was the most productive leadoff hitter in the National League last year and Matheny has said he sees no reason to mess with success. At least for now. Once Wong shows he's ready to move to the top of the lineup, look for Carpenter to slide into the two-hole. That could be later this season or not until 2016. Don't expect it by Opening Day, though.
6. Answer: Yadier Molina.
Question: Who will be asked most about his offseason weight change?
Explanation: According to media reports out of Florida, the 32-year-old Molina dropped as much as 20 pounds during the offseason. His knees should thank him. So should Matheny, the man in charge of monitoring Molina's playing time.
You can follow Stan McNeal on Twitter at @StanMcNeal or email him at stanmcneal@gmail.com.
