Matching up in the 2013 World Series against the Boston Red
Sox, the St. Louis Cardinals garnered significant attention for being a
self-sustaining organization. 18 players on their roster were drafted or signed
and developed through their minor league system—a really impressive figure in
this age of free agency. One player who hopes to be a cog in that machine is
third baseman Patrick Wisdom, who came to the team with big expectations and is
getting closer to the major leagues every day.
The right-handed hitter from Murrieta, California had a stellar
career with St. Mary’s College of California, hitting a combined .303 with
29 home runs in three seasons. His production earned him significant attention,
and in 2012 the Cardinals took him with the 52nd overall pick (first
round-supplemental) in the draft.
With a reputation for big power and a good glove, the
22-year-old Wisdom has shown flashes of his talent during his first three
professional seasons, hitting a combined .241 with 32 home runs and 145 RBIs in
286 games. He is playing with Double-A Springfield this season, and while he
has 11 home runs and 40 RBIs in 92 games, he is hitting just .220 and has 103
strikeouts.
It may be Wisdom’s glove that gets him to the majors but his
bat is could be what keeps him there. If he is able to unlock his potential,
his power and defense combination is the perfect skill set for an effective
player at the hot corner.
I had a chance to interview Wisdom in 2012 during his first
professional season when he was playing for the Batavia Muckdogs in the New
York-Penn League. Keep reading for more on this St. Louis prospect.
Patrick Wisdom
Interview:
Growing up, who did
you like for teams or players?: It was mixed. I grew up in California so I
really grew up watching the Padres. Big Ken Caminiti fan. And then as I got
older, I started liking the Angels and became a Troy Glaus fan. So yeah, it was
a mix, but I always followed the Angels and the Padres.
Do you have a
favorite baseball memory from when you were growing up?: Yeah, the last
time we went to Cooperstown, New York and played in the Hall of Fame
Tournament. I won the home run derby there. That’s a moment that I’ll never forget
and I always reminisce on that. It was fun.
Coming out of high
school, did you have any thoughts about going pro instead of to college?: You
know, I always thought I could play at this level but I didn’t get any offers
out of high school, which was fine. I had a blast in college. I learned a lot.
Grew up a lot. I’m glad I went to college.
What was your draft
experience like?: It was mixed. Early on, I heard, really high, really high.
It was still there but wasn’t as high. You know at the end the day (Day 1 of
the draft) was there. It was kind of a last minute deal. My advisor at the
time, he said ‘Hey, it’s probably not going to happen but tomorrow will be a
for sure thing.’ But then he called me five minutes later and said it’s going
to happen. It was kind of up and down on that day but it was fun to see a lot
of friends go and I was excited to see my name called.
Can you explain to
those of us who wouldn’t know, what’s the first thing that happens after you
get drafted?: I honestly had no idea what was going on. I just stuck by my
phone and waited for the call, and then waited for my agent to call me back,
and waited for the scout to call me back. Then, I kind of did nothing. I just
hung out with my family and embraced the time with my family that I had. It was
awesome and an unbelievable experience.
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