Barton easing into big-league effectiveness

If he hadn't been a Rule 5 pick, Brian Barton would not be in the major leagues this season.

Thank goodness he was a Rule 5 pick, because the rookie has given the Cardinals a jolt of speed and energy, areas the team was so sorely lacking in last season.

Barton had a pinch-hit double in the ninth inning Monday night and scored the eventual winning run in a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Barton is batting .345 in 29 at-bats, with a .387 on-base percentage. Some would like to see him play more, but Tony La Russa prefers the cautious approach. He has no interest in overexposing Barton to extended periods of playing time.

“There’s nothing wrong with taking a young player and giving him bits and pieces (of playing time) to where he gets better and better — not treating him like he’s got everything figured in his first month of big-league action," TLR said.

Besides that, which of the other four outfielders would you sit if Barton played more frequently? Barton is the fifth man in the outfield mix.

Defensively, Barton remains a liability. He took a bad route on Bengie Molina's two-run double Sunday and his throwing arm is the worst among the outfielders. Barton typically heads to the bench in the sixth inning in games he starts, replaced in left field by Skip Schumaker, a plus defender.

"That’s the reason you take him out," La Russa said. "You’ve got a guy who’s a potential Gold Glove outfielder that’s been replacing him. This is not the minor leagues. He’s getting enough playing time. Why expect him to be a Gold Glove outfielder in his first month when he can be improving right along?"

TLR expects defensive improvement from Barton.

"As we get deeper in the season, he’ll play more and more," the manager said. "He’s willing to work, he’s got speed, he’s smart. Absolutely (he will improve)."

On another note, it's interesting that the Cardinals have apparently changed direction with Mark Mulder's rehabilitation. It appeared he was one or two starts away from rejoining the big club, but now there's talk he could take 10 more minor-league starts to ensure he's ready.

I understand being conservative with Mulder. He's been through two operations and the Cardinals need him to be the guy they thought they would get when they made the trade with Oakland in December 2004. If Mulder remains in the minors, Braden Looper needs to kick into gear. He's the weak link in a rotation that still is doing admirable work without Mulder, Chris Carpenter and Matt Clement.