Oscar

Taveras

“I don’t like to call anyone untouchable,” said Mo, “but if there’s a player we value in that kind of category, it’s Oscar Taveras.” The 20-year-old Dominican outfielder is batting .330/.388/.593 with 19 home runs, 28 doubles and 75 RBI in 93 games this season at the Double-A level. He should reach the major leagues in late 2013.

One of the most exciting position prospect in baseball, Taveras boasts a .323/.381/.576 batting line, 23 homers, 37 doubles and 94 RBI through 123 games this season in the Texas League. He wouldn’t get regular playing time in St. Louis but is certainly a guy to watch for in 2013 and beyond. “His day will come,” Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said Monday.

That’s what Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch told a local radio program on Monday morning. Taveras, 20, is batting .324/.385/.578 with 19 home runs, 28 doubles and 75 RBI in 97 games this season at the Double-A level. He doesn’t have a direct avenue to regular playing time right now in the bigs, but Taveras would certainly be useful as a bench bat in September.

Taveras injured his right ankle last Sunday while attempting to steal second base. X-rays taken in the immediate aftermath showed no structural damage, but the Cardinals have understandably decided to play it safe with their top prospect. Taveras, 20, was batting .317 with an .831 OPS through his first 31 games this season for the Memphis Redbirds. He should reach the major league level at some point in 2013.

Taveras wound up missing nearly a month of action with a high ankle sprain. Arguably the game’s top hitting prospect, he’s batting .315/.348/.480 with four homers, 20 RBI and five steals over 32 games for Memphis this season.

Taveras was injured Sunday with Triple-A Memphis while attempting to steal a base. X-rays revealed no structural damage, but it’s possible he could be placed on the minor league disabled list. Taveras is batting .314/.349/.483 through his first 30 games this season.

No word yet on the severity of the injury. Taveras was removed in the ninth inning after a steal attempt. The Cardinals should provide an update on his status soon.

He suffered the injury while sliding into second base on a steal attempt. While there was no structural damage found, the organization has decided to play it very cautiously with their top prospect. He’s hitting .317/.351/.480 with four homers, 20 RBI and five steals through his first 31 games. He’s expected to reach the Cardinals at some point during the 2013 season and could be an impact addition in fantasy leagues.

The Cardinals’ top prospect has been sidelined since May 12 when he suffered the ankle injury while sliding into second base on a stolen base attempt. The Cardinals have opted to play it cautiously in with his recovery as to not risk further injury. He’ll return to a stellar .311/.351/.480 line with four homers, 20 RBI and five steals through his first 31 games.

Taveras suffered a right ankle injury on May 12 while sliding into second base and is still batting soreness. The Cardinals will give their top outfield prospect all the time he needs to heal, especially with no immediate need at the major league level. Taveras, 20, is a .321/.378/.521 career hitter in the minors.