MLB 2017: One prediction for each team

St. Louis Cardinals: Stephen Piscotty is an All-Star

Since the departure of Albert Pujols, the St. Louis machine has chugged along steadily with a cast of solid but unspectacular players. The Cardinals farm system has churned out a steady stream of quality players who perform well in almost every facet of the game. What they’ve lacked, however, is a legitimate power source. Entering his third year in the big leagues, Stephen Piscotty is ready to be that power source.

In his rookie year, Piscotty gave us a taste of what could be to come when he homered three times in the NLDS. He followed up a solid half season in 2015 with 35 doubles, 22 home runs and an OPS of .800. Piscotty has the upside to be a 30-homer threat. The addition of Dexter Fowler at the top of the lineup will give Piscotty more chances to hit with runners on base. He put up his best numbers last year batting in the number-two hole.

One through nine, the Cardinals have a solid lineup. Adding a bat like an Edwin Encarnacion or Mark Trumbo would have been nice, but not necessary. St. Louis can find its way back to the playoffs in 2017 by continuing to follow its traditional formula. Fowler and Piscotty will key the top of the order, with both finding their way to the All-Star Game.