Jon Jay making case to stick with Cardinals

ST. LOUIS -- With Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick likely to come off the disabled list before the start of August, manager Tony La Russa will be faced with the difficult decision of which player Ludwick will replace on the active roster.

The decision is difficult, because one of the easiest players to move -- a rookie with plenty of Minor League options left -- is demanding by the virtue of his play to stay with the club in a playoff hunt. Jon Jay has been on a hitting tear for his short Major League career, and the versatile outfielder has been building a strong case for a permanent roster spot with his limited playing time.

Jay entered Saturday tied for the longest hitting streak in the National League at 12 and was batting .386 with a .403 on-base percentage and .614 slugging percentage in 74 plate appearances.

Clearly the numbers suggest Jay should spend more time with the Cardinals, but does Jay think so?

"Maybe, maybe not," Jay said. "You just never know, and that is the attitude I have no matter what. Even if they told me, it doesn't matter to me. I am going to go in every day like it is my last day here."

It hasn't been just the big leagues where Jay has been scorching the ball on a consistent basis. In 42 Minor League games at Triple-A Memphis this season, Jay hit .321 with a .394 on-base percentage and .491 slugging percentage. Jay also stole 13 bases and chipped in 32 RBIs.

The power numbers are a recent development for Jay -- a .491 slugging mark is by far the highest of any year -- but the lefty just attributes the surge to growing into his body and swing.

"It helps to have confidence knowing that my swing is where I want it," he said. "I just try to keep it going. I just have to stick with my approach and keep doing the things I have done my whole life to be successful."



(mlb.com)