Jon Jay is happy flying under the radar

Jon Jay is used to being overlooked, at least by those outside his clubhouse.

Though the Cardinals made him their second-round selection in the 2006 draft, Jay was never considered his team's best player at the University of Miami.

That status was typically saved for current Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun or Miami Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez. Jay played alongside ex-Cardinals reliever and current Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez, Minnesota Twins third baseman Danny Valencia and Oakland A's second baseman Jemile Weeks.

During Jay's ascent to the parent club he was never regarded as the minor-league system's best outfielder. That distinction belonged to Colby Rasmus until he reached St. Louis in 2009.

"He may seem to some people like kind of a below-the-radar guy but, make no mistake, Jon's a great player," first baseman Lance Berkman said. "We don't win last year without him."

Jay, who turns 27 on Thursday, led the World Series champions in appearances (158) last summer and carries a career .298 average into his third major-league season.

Jay waited until the July 2010 trade of right fielder Ryan Ludwick to the San Diego Padres before receiving an everyday opportunity. Jay's presence last season allowed general manager John Mozeliak sufficient leverage to package Rasmus within a three-team deal that brought pitchers Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski and outfielder Corey Patterson in return. Jay made 90 starts batting either leadoff or second for a team that led the National League in runs scored.

"Everybody has numbers but that's not what I'm primarily concerned about," Jay said before Sunday's Grapefruit League rainout against the Washington Nationals. "It's important for me to provide the manager options. I'm out there ready to play.

"My mind-set is to win every day. It's been that way in college and in the minor leagues. If the team needs a sacrifice or a hit-and-run, that's my role."

Jay's role has become a focal point since the Cardinals signed free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran to a two-year contract in December. Beltran once played elite center field for the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros and New York Mets before knee issues led him to a corner outfield position. However, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny may periodically explore returning Beltran to his former position as a way to get power bat Allen Craig playing time on an outfield flank.

On most days, Jay will find himself stationed behind five-time All-Star Matt Holliday and Beltran, a six-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner who opened his career as 1999 AL Rookie of the Year.

"I'm appreciated here. That's all that matters to me," he said. "I think that's been my story since high school. I've been lucky enough to play for a lot of talented teams where I've never been the best guy or a top-three guy. I've always been a guy whose role is to set up the big guys on the team."

"He's as valuable as anybody in here; he really is," Berkman said. "Guys like him and (infielder Daniel) Descalso are baseball players. Their value doesn't begin and end with statistics. The same applies with Craig. It's very unusual to see three young guys like that on the same team."

Jay has spent much of the last week listening to Jim Edmonds' thoughts on playing center field. He is also concentrating on translating his plus speed into more of a base-stealing weapon. (Jay stole a base before a fourth-inning downpour scrubbed Saturday's game.)

"He's got it in him," Matheny said. "You saw that today. He's got intelligence. He's got baseball instincts. He studies the game. He studies pitchers."
"There are certain guys that play a lot faster. He's not a burner like a Michael Bourn but he plays as good a center fielder because he gets great jumps, he positions himself well and he has great hands," Berkman said. "He runs good routes to the ball. At the plate he puts together great at-bats.

"To me, he was one of the unsung heroes of last year's team," Berkman added. "His ability to play center field allowed us to make the trade that got us the pieces we needed."

Jay's career has been predicated on events affecting others. That may again be the case this season given Matheny's use of Beltran at a position he hasn't patrolled since 2009.

"I've never been a player who took anything for granted," Jay said. "I just take it one day at a time. I never know what's going to happen tomorrow. I think things are definitely different this year. But I'm going about things the same way. I know nothing's guaranteed in this game, or in anything."


(stltoday.com)