Mar 16, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) puts the ball in play against the Detroit Tigers at Roger Dean Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Tigers 1-0. Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
In the first at-bat of his career on Opening Day in 2010, Jason Heyward walloped a tape-measure grand slam off the Chicago Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano, sending Atlanta Braves fans into paroxysms of joy and even inspiring Hall of Fame predictions before the rookie had even finished his first game.
Fast-forward to 2015: Heyward is now the St. Louis Cardinals’ right fielder and his new team is looking for the power he never really displayed for a full season in Atlanta, save for his 27-homer 2012.
“I told him, ‘I don’t know if there’s going to be a time in this whole year that I’m going to ask you to give yourself up to get a runner over. I want you driving the ball. I want you with that mindset,'” manager Mike Matheny told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
This would be a great time for Heyward to hit homers. St. Louis was last in the National League last year in the long-ball department, and its offense was frequently stagnant, often needing three singles to produce a run.
Heyward at his best can make this offense more dynamic. He has every tool a player and a team would want. He has pop, patience and speed. But his numbers with Atlanta didn’t measure up to his potential.
The theory is that Heyward will be more motivated this year than he has thus far been in his career. Playing in a new city with the potential for a big contract — this is his free-agent year — could lead to a big season for him and his new team. For that to happen, the Cardinals believe he’ll have to swing the bat more.
“I think it’s just that mentality that’s going to help free him up,” Matheny said.
