Harrison Bader Set to Return to Cardinals After Stint at Triple-A Memphis
By Sean Facey
Outfield help is on the way for the St. Louis Cardinals.
After an extended stint in Triple-A Memphis, outfielder Harrison Bader is set to return to major league action as his team prepares for a playoff push.
Harrison Bader set for a return this afternoon to STL and #Cardinals, reports Rick Hummel. A promotion after a hot streak at Memphis for team's starting center fielder: https://t.co/TVfPfS5J8X #stlcards #MLB
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) August 20, 2019
After a successful 2018 campaign with the Cardinals in which he finished sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting, Bader struggled mightily at the plate. He managed just a .648 OPS with six home runs in his first 90 games this year, ultimately leading to his demotion.
But, he's really turned it around in the minors. Bader has slashed .322/.429/.678 with six home runs in 17 games in Triple-A, and his recent tear has him back in position to help this team.
Harrison Bader in the MLB this year (221 ABs):
— STLSportsCentral (@stlsportscntrl) August 19, 2019
6 home-runs
(36 AB per HR)
Harrison Bader in AAA the last three weeks (59 ABs):
6 home-runs
(9.8 AB per HR)
Should he be recalled by the #STLCards?
The Cardinals desperately need him back in the lineup. They've trotted out the likes of Tommy Edman and Tyler O'Neill in his absence, but things just haven't worked out. Their offensive production has been marginally better than Bader's, and neither of them bring elite defense to the table like he does.
If he can keep his form from Memphis, then St. Louis is in perfect shape. They'll be adding a quality bat and a strong defender to boot for a team that has already managed to claw it's way to a half-game lead in the NL Central.