Newcomers Hazelbaker, Diaz help spark Cardinals robust offense

At least at the early juncture of the season, some of the St. Louis Cardinals’ lesser-known players are taking advantage of their opportunities.

No one has made more of an impact than than 28-year-old rookie outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker, who led a 19-hit attack Monday by going 4-for-4 with a double, a triple and a sacrifice fly on Monday in the Cardinals’ 10-1 blowout of Milwaukee in the home opener. It was the Cardinals’ fourth consecutive victory after three losses to start the season.

The Cardinals’ 19 hits were the most in a home opener since they had 18 on April 15, 1974, against Pittsburgh. Ten of their hits were for extra bases (eight doubles, two triples).

St. Louis has scored 34 runs in its last three games. The Cardinals have scored 10 or more runs in three consecutive games for the first time since May 6-9, 1980, when they had 37 runs.

The left-handed hitting Hazelbaker, who agreed to a minor-league contract with the Cardinals last May and played at Class AA Springfield and Class AAA Memphis, also made a stellar defensive play in left, rushing to his left to flag down a drive by Chris Carter.

Hazelbaker, a former farmhand in the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations, believes he belongs in the major leagues and is proving it to everyone.

“If you’re asking me that, I couldn’t really tell you. I can’t really give you an answer,” Hazelbaker said of why he hasn’t received an opportunity before this season. “I’m just thankful that it finally came.

“I definitely feel like I belong here. I feel like I belong at this level. That’s the approach I have to take. I feel like anyone that gets called up, gets this opportunity or gets a chance in the big leagues, that’s kind of the mentality they have to have.”

Hazelbaker is batting .526 (10-for-19) with a .522 on-base percentage.

Riding the hot hand

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said he enjoys watching Hazelbaker go about his business and has no plans to bench him in the immediate future.

“What he and a couple of these guys who have never been here before ... What they’re experiencing now is unique and something I know they’re not taking for granted,” said Matheny, referring also to up-and-coming shortstop Aledmys Diaz, who collected three hits, including two doubles, to lift his average to .533 (8-for-15).

“Just watching how they’re responding, just kind of eyes-wide-open, looking around and I think pinching themselves sometimes,” Matheny said. “But when they get in the box and get on the field, they just compete. That’s why it’s been fun to watch.

“Diaz had a great day. When you take two guys who have never played on this field before and throw them into that kind of environment and have them produce like they did, that’s something I’m sure they’ll never forget. I know we won’t.”

Yadier Molina also had three hits, while Matt Carpenter, Stephen Piscotty and Randal Grichuk had two hits apiece. It was also Piscotty’s first home opener of his career.

Matheny said there’s no reason to believe Hazelbaker can’t be a season-long contributor.

“Basically, our message to him is, ‘Just keep doing what you’re doing. Play the game the way you’re playing it,’” Matheny said. “That’s why he made this team out of spring. Obviously, we didn’t have intentions of him being around here. He earned it. There was nothing given to this kid. He’s continuing to earn the playing time.

“He’s fun to watch. He’s doing all the little things. ... He wants to learn. You take talent and that kind of capacity to keep getting better, it’s a great mix to have.”

Grichuk lauds Hazelbaker

Grickuk is enjoying watching Hazelbaker’s success, too.

“It’s unbelievable,” Grichuk said. “Mike Trout’s my friend, but I think he’s better than Mike Trout. I’m totally joking, but it’s very impressive what he’s doing. To be in his first time in the big leagues and come up here and just rake, it shows what kind of a talent he is.”

Diaz is playing only because of injuries to the two shortstops ahead of him on the depth chart: veteran Jhonny Peralta and recently signed Ruben Tejada.

“It was the first Opening Day for me, the fans were amazing, it was a good game and we won. It was almost perfect,” said Diaz, 25, a native of Cuba. “It was very emotional for me. It was a long journey to get here to the big leagues.”

Diaz said he’s trying to treat his first exposure to the big leagues like an everyday experience.

“I don’t think too much,” he said. “I just go to the field and do the best for the team. I get a good pitch to hit. I was pretty good today. They threw me a lot of balls in the zone and I put good swings on it. Every game I play, I feel more comfortable.”

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 8:28 PM with the headline "Newcomers Hazelbaker, Diaz help spark Cardinals robust offense."