4 Prospects That Could Make St. Louis Cardinals' 2015 Roster

St. Louis was booted into the offseason by Travis Ishikawa, who corked a walk-off three-run home run into the right field bleachers to send San Francisco to the World Series. 

Suddenly, Red October came to a crashing halt. But the Cardinals’ core will remain intact as we begin to peak into 2015. The Cardinals' brass doesn't figure to rattle the clubhouse by dealing any of their young marquee players. That said, there will be plenty of competition next season from up-and-coming prospects. Some almost certainly will make the roster. Others could be fashionably late and surprise everyone.

Here are four prospects that could make the 2015 roster:

Marco Gonzales, Pitcher

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

At first mention of Marco Gonzales, it would be almost criminal to leave him off the big league roster come Opening Day. General manager John Mozeliak and manager Mike Matheny will bring Gonzales into spring training as a starter.

But, would it be too far-fetched to believe Gonzales is a sure lock for 2015?

Gonzales dazzled this season, especially in the playoffs. Without the superb outings from the young lefty, the Cardinals might not have defeated the almighty Los Angeles Dodgers in the Division Series.

Gonzales was credited with wins in Games 1 and 4 over L.A. and presumed NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw. (Let that sink in for a moment…)

In Game 1, the Cardinals were down 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth. Gonzales, making his postseason debut, relieved Seth Maness. Matt Kemp lined a 1-2 changeup for a base hit. Then Gonzales got Hanley Ramirez to line out to right field and induced an inning-ending double play off the bat of Carl Crawford, who was 2-for-3 with an RBI ground-rule double at that point.

In Game 4, Gonzales sparked another Cardinals rally by getting out of a jam. The Cardinals trailed 2-0 in the top of the seventh. Gonzales relieved Maness and got two quick outs before allowing a walk and a hit. But he settled down and got Adrian Gonzalez to roll over on a pitch to Kolten Wong to end the inning.

Nobody saw this coming; a 22-year-old kid that bypassed Triple-A and landed in the majors and excelled from the onset.

Now to my point: How will Gonzales perform once the team reconvenes? Will he ride that confidence he gained from 2014 or will he build off it? It’s easy for a young player to get too high and lose focus. That’s an early concern of mine. Gonzales needs to remain humble and keep working during the offseason.

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Randal Grichuk, Outfielder

Randal Grichuk appears to be a lock come Opening Day. And I largely agree. He showed why he belongs in the majors during the Cardinals’ memorable postseason run.

Grichuk flashed his leather time after time and unleashed his cannon of an arm from right field. He homered off Kershaw in the first inning of Game 1 of the NLCS. Grichuk has incredible power that we haven’t had the luxury to see just yet.

Matheny remains high on Grichuk. And rightly so. I believe Grichuk will blossom into a great player for this team. 

However, there’s always that chance of a young player struggling to have an impact in spring training. It would not surprise me if Grichuk had some ups and downs prior to the start of the regular season.

Stephen Piscotty, Outfielder

David Goldman/Associated Press

For me, Stephen Piscotty is on the bubble. He’s arguably the best outfielder in the Cardinals’ minor league system. But the Cardinals already have a crowded outfield. 

Despite the vast depth, the likelihood of the Cardinals hanging onto Peter Bourjos is slim, which could make room for Piscotty to become a role player. His most likely destination would be on the bench getting some spot starts and pinch-hit opportunities.

Piscotty is said to be a line-drive and home run hitter, which is something the Cardinals could use after hitting the fewest home runs in the NL in 2014. 

Carson Kelly, Catcher

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Yadier Molina will turn 33 next July. His health will be a major factor in 2015, which is why the Cardinals will need to have an extra backstop on the roster.

Tony Cruz did a commendable job filling in for Molina when he was sidelined with a torn ligament in his right thumb. Cruz was considered a better defensive option than A.J. Pierzynski. His offense was average at very best.

It’s safe to say Pierzynski won’t be back next season, but Cruz likely will be. And that brings me to Carson Kelly, who made the switch to catcher a year ago. 

Kelly was a non-roster invitee to spring training last season. He managed a .248 mark with 27 extra-base hits and a .326 on-base percentage for the Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League. 

His numbers weren’t outstanding, but the Cardinals should give Kelly a shot at making the roster. Yes, I realize it would take a lot to happen for Kelly to make the big league roster at just 20 years old. However, the Cardinals need to start the process of developing their next catcher.