Jarrett Hoffpauir 2009

[jimmcg]

Nice article in the Commercial Appeal about Jarrett Hoffpauir and his perspective about becoming a Cardinal.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news...ting-his-turn/

Memphis Redbirds' Jarrett Hoffpauir awaiting his turn
Second baseman hopes to get noticed by Cardinals
By Marlon W. Morgan (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Saturday, April 11, 2009

Jarrett Hoffpauir tried not to think about. But it was only natural.

What else was he supposed to think when the St. Louis Cardinals decided last off-season to part ways with second baseman Adam Kennedy? Surely, that meant Hoffpauir, who has been rated among the club's top prospects the last couple of seasons, would be given a fair shot at the position this spring.

Wisely, Hoffpauir didn't let the thoughts of playing second base in the big leagues consume him. He learned a valuable lesson long ago -- don't worry about things you can't control.

Rather than give the 25-year-old former Southern Miss star a legitimate crack at the job, the Cardinals moved outfielder Skip Schumaker to the position. Hoffpauir got to play 10 spring training games for the Cardinals, but he was destined to return to the Redbirds for a third season.

''You always want to think that you're the next guy in line,'' Hoffpauir said. ''But realistically, who knows? I don't have any major league time and I knew that going into spring training. I knew it was going to be a tough decision. You take it for what it is. You come down here and you try to get better and turn some heads.

''You have to look at it through their eyes. He's a great hitter and you've got to have him in the lineup. They've got four or five solid outfielders and you've got to find a place to play. Unfortunately, it was my position. That's just one of those things.''

So Hoffpauir finds himself manning second base for the Redbirds once again, still looking for his shot at the big leagues. He enters this season tabbed by Baseball America as the Cardinals' No. 21-rated prospect. He's also rated as having the best strike zone discipline in the Cardinals organization.

But it's going to take more than that for Hoffpauir to achieve his dream.

''He's got to put himself on the map with a big year,'' Redbirds manager Chris Maloney said. ''He has to have a big year offensively and defensively. He's got to make himself noticeable.''

Hoffpauir hit a respectable .273 a year ago with four homers and 45 RBI in 121 games during his first full season with the Redbirds. But he realizes that he must improve on those numbers if he's to climb that final rung on the ladder.

He tried his best to get noticed this spring. In those 10 games, Hoffpauir hit .333.

''I swung the bat all right and played solid defense,'' Hoffpauir said. ''Every time I got in there, I tried to make the most of my opportunity. I probably tried to do too much at times, but it's a learning experience.

''I'm trying to be the best player that I can. I guess the decision on what goes on from here is out of my hands. It's something I can't control. I just want to come in and play hard and do all the little things right and hopefully one of these days get a shot.''

After Friday night's 4-2 loss to Oklahoma City in front of 4,968 at AutoZone Park, Hoffpauir finds himself hitless in his first five at-bats.

But Maloney isn't concerned.

''He had a solid year last year,'' Maloney said. ''I don't think it was as good as he wanted, or we wanted. But I'm definitely looking for him to have a big year this year.''

[jimmcg]

Jarrett Hoffpauir leads the Memphis Redbirds in home runs at the end of June. He hit his 10th last night in the Redbirds 6-3 win over New Orleans.

He has never approached that number before in a full season.

His minor league statistics are here

[Grey's Anatomy # 1 Fan]

Originally Posted by jimmcg

Jarrett Hoffpauir leads the Memphis Redbirds in home runs at the end of June. He hit his 10th last night in the Redbirds 6-3 win over New Orleans.

He has never approached that number before in a full season.

His minor league statistics are here

Now he's with the big club. Go Jarrett!!

[jimmcg]

Yep, Go Jarrett. I wonder if he can fill in at shortstop also. If so, Tyler Greene had better start hitting or he will be back in Memphis.

[Grey's Anatomy # 1 Fan]

Originally Posted by jimmcg

Yep, Go Jarrett. I wonder if he can fill in at shortstop also. If so, Tyler Greene had better start hitting or he will be back in Memphis.

Is he any kin to those other Hoffpauir I think one plays for the Cubs?

[jimmcg]

Originally Posted by Grey's Anatomy # 1 Fan

Is he any kin to those other Hoffpauir I think one plays for the Cubs?

I asked that question earlier in the season and was told they are not related. I don't think the name is a common one, but apparently there are at least two unrelated lines of it.