Sunday, Jul. 12, 2009

The next big thing: Brett Wallace has the kind of bat feared by opponents, loved by fans

Barely more than a year removed from a All-American career at Arizona State University, Brett Wallace represents the future of the St. Louis Cardinals in a variety of ways.

He is something the franchise sorely lacks, a left-handed slugger who can hit for power and average. The kind of bat that is feared by opponents and loved by fans who have grown accustomed to the exploits of all-world first baseman Albert Pujols.

Almost since the day he was drafted last June, Wallace has been on a fast-moving elevator through the organization that currently has him a step away from the majors at Triple A Memphis.

"My move to Memphis really allowed me to put what I've done into context," Wallace said in a telephone interview. "This promotion has really given me a chance to look back and see how much fun it's been. It's been a bit of a blur."

Wallace is one of three Cardinals prospects who will play in the 1 p.m. XM All-Star Futures game today at Busch Stadium, joining outfielder Daryl Jones and pitcher Francisco Samuel.

This is Wallace's second visit to Busch Stadium. He took some batting practice there last June after signing with the Cardinals, but he did it well before a large crowd arrived for the game that night.

"Getting the chance to go out there and play in front of so many fans, just being in that environment and seeing what all the big-leaguers go through every day, is going to be a blast," said Wallace, who signed autographs at a Swansea baseball card shop Saturday.

Wallace's name has been invoked by fans who see him as a potential answer at third base, a position that has been ravaged by injuries and inconsistency this season.

However, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa recently chastised reporters for even suggesting that Wallace might be ready for the majors.

Then there's the almost daily rumors with nearly every potential Cardinals trading partner who are said to be asking for one name above all others -- Brett Wallace.

"I'd love to be a big-leaguer, and I'd love to play for the Cardinals," Wallace said. "But if you get caught up in 'They said this, the front office said that' ... it's easy to get caught up in that stuff, and I can't worry about that. I'm definitely excited about where I'm at, and I'm continuing to work hard to get to my goal."

That goal is regular work in the major leagues, and Wallace -- who turns 23 next month -- continues to pile up evidence that his bat will get him there sooner rather than later.

Through 54 games at Memphis, he has pushed his average to .303 with 19 RBIs thanks to a recent 15-game hitting streak. Sixteen of his 59 hits have gone for extra bases, including 10 doubles and six home runs.

As good as the numbers seem, Wallace may be showing only a glimpse of what lies ahead.

"I don't think he's really found his power stroke yet, but that's something that's kind of been his trademark is having a lot of power," Memphis manager Chris Maloney told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "People have got to understand, he was playing the College World Series (in 2008). He's in Triple-A baseball. He's a young kid, and he's doing a heck of a job for us. He's going to get better. It's just a matter of time."

The same can be said for his defense, the biggest question mark on Wallace's baseball file.

He made two throwing errors Thursday in a 4-2 victory over Albuquerque, giving him 10 through 54 games. Another question mark is a stocky frame that once was listed as 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, but now stands at 205 thanks to a better diet and conditioning.

Wallace has been working as hard or harder on the defensive side of his game than he has with his hitting. He got a lot of extra work during spring training with Cards' third base coach Jose Oquendo.

"He was able to give me some pointers to start working on getting better as far as footwork, reading balls, how to read and react to certain things," Wallace said. "The more reps you can take, the more it's going to help. People who see me play realize I've put in a lot of hard work and it's coming along well."

"Once you start getting some hits and start making some plays, people let it go."

Fast track through the system

Wallace broke in last year at Class A Quad Cities and tore things up, hitting .327 in 41 games with five homers and 25 RBIs. He spent the final 13 games last season with Class AA Springfield, where he hit .367 with three homers and 11 RBIs.

He kicked off the 2009 season at Springfield (.281, five homers and 16 RBIs in 32 games), then was promoted to Memphis.

He announced his arrival with three hits in his first game with the Redbirds, then found himself in a lengthy slump that he said was the result of trying to prove to everyone he deserved the promotion.

"A lot of Triple A pitchers have been in the big leagues, and they understand how to get good, aggressive hitters out," Wallace said. "The biggest thing is just being patient, being disciplined and making adjustments throughout the game.

"If you're disciplined, you're going to get a pitch to hit. Everyone makes mistakes, and you just have to be ready to hit those mistakes."

During nearly a month of spring training, Wallace soaked up as much as he could from all sources of teaching and information. One of his favorites was Pujols, who treats each spring training like he is fighting for the final spot on the roster.

"I got a chance to be around him for 3 1/2 weeks, so I definitely got a chance to see him do a lot of his work in the cages before and after games and during practice," Wallace said. "Obviously, he's an unbelievable talent. He's the best hitter in baseball."

Wallace is playing in the Futures game today, but are there major league All-Star Games in his future?

He believes a simple formula of hard work and dogged determination will get him there.

"My expectations of what pressure I put on myself are always higher than other people," he said. "The biggest thing is going out there believing in yourself as a player and a competitor.

"The last 20 games I've really started feeling like myself again. I'm having a lot of fun."