Boggs An Important Cog

No. 41  Mitchell Boggs (R/R):  Boggs is not related to Wade Boggs but that is the only knock against him that I could find.  Boggs is now a regular on the roster after spending his first 2 years between Memphis and the big leagues.  Between  2008-09 he made 15 starts and has a 6-7 record.  Last  year he was primarily used as a relief pitcher and had a 3.61 era in 61 appearances.

While STL is not known for having a strong farm system, Boggs has been a stand out and I think the sky is the limit with him.  It just depends where the organization chooses to use him.  The way it is looking he will stick as a reliever, and I wouldn't mind seeing him gain the closers role in a year or 2 once Franklin retires.  Since becoming a reliever his velocity has increased and he has topped out at 98 mph.  He is no Aroldis Chapman, but his pitches still pack a serious punch.  

Boggs has not had a great start to 2011.  His last time out he walked and hit a batter.  During the spring he was dealing with lower back pain and TLR has indicated that Boggs will be eased in.  In his 3.2 innings pitched on the year he does have 4 Ks though.  Boggs is a power pitcher that the Cardinals will call on in tough situations this season.  Since he is blessed being born in the year 1984 I foresee he will rise to the challenge and become a reliable source of outs.   I'll leave you with this little sound bite of Boggs talking about being a Cardinal.  Lets hope Boggs is a member of the team for years to come, and the organization doesn't deicide to trade him in a Mark DeRosa-esque trade (see Chris Perez).  It is nice always nice to see homegrown talent help the team rather than relying on FAs and trades.