Reid

Gorecki

It’s been a very disappointing season for Gorecki, who was demoted after hitting .182/.264/.277 in 46 games for Double-A Springfield. He’s at .282/.372/.479 in 45 games in the Florida State League, but since he turns 25 this winter, he could hardly afford the setback.

Gorecki is a legitimate prospect. The other two wouldn’t have been protected by any other team in baseball. Mahoney turns 32 next month and has had 36 career major league at-bats. The Cardinals apparently see him as a possible backup if they go with Yadier Molina as a regular next year, and since they have so few prospects, they have nothing to lose by protecting him. The same goes for Seabol, who had his one big-league at-bat with the Yankees in 2001. The 29-year-old hit .304/.356/.539 for Triple-A Memphis last season.

Gorecki, 28, should see a decent amount of playing time while Nate McLouth recovers from a strained hamstring. He was batting .286/.351/.464 with nine home runs and 49 RBI in 371 at-bats with Gwinnett.

Anderson is being called day-to-day. Reid Gorecki replaced him in right field and could draw a start this weekend if Anderson is still feeling off.

Anderson has missed three consecutive starts after leaving last Thursday’s contest with a lower back strain. “I’m looking forward to Tuesday, but don’t crucify me if I don’t play Tuesday and come back on Wednesday,” said the outfielder. Reid Gorecki has found a good amount of playing time in his absence.

Gorecki, who turned 29 in December, finally made his major league debut last season for the Braves, going 5-for-25 with 12 strikeouts. He has a .268/.342/.428 over eight minor league seasons.

Gorecki struggled last season at Double-A. He should return to that level this season and hopefully improve on his .182 average.

Gorecki proved unable to handle Double-A as a 24-year-old last year and had to be returned to the Florida State League. Now he’s at .347/.372/.800 in 75 AB for Springfield. That he’s showing such remarkable power is probably a fluke, but he’s good enough defensively that he might have a career as a reserve even if he’s less than stellar with the bat.