As spring training begins for the Cardinals, there are a few major questions that the team needs to address before the start of the season. The most important question for the team is to name a fifth starter for the rotation. The potential candidates are reliever Kyle McClellan, free agent pickup Rich Hill and prospects Jaime Garcia and Mitchell Boggs. But a dark horse candidate has emerged from the Cardinal farm system, and that is prospect Lance Lynn. While the possibility of him winning the spot is slim, he is a name for all Cardinal fans to keep an eye on for the future.
Michael Lance Lynn was born on May 12, 1987 in Brownsburg, Indiana to Mike and Jenny Lynn. He was drafted out of high school by the Seattle Mariners in the 6th round of the 2005 MLB draft, but chose instead to attend the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss, he became the staff ace. During the 2007 Oxford regionals, he was named to the all tournament team and was also named MVP. After Ole Miss was eliminated, he entered the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft. The 6’5”, 250 pounder was drafted by the Cardinals as a supplemental first round selection.
Lynn began his career with the Cardinals pitching in both low and high A in 2008. In low A ball, he was 1-0 with a 0.96 ERA, striking out 22 and walking only 4. He was then promoted to high A Quad Cities, where he was 0-1 with a 2.92 ERA. For the majority of the 2009 season, he was with the AA Springfield Cardinals. With Springfield, he posted an 11-4 record with a 2.92 ERA. He also struck out 98 batters while walking only 51. Lynn would end the 2009 season in AAA. He would make one start for the Memphis Redbirds, where he received a no decision but managed to strike out 9 batters.
Lynn has impressed the Cardinals in each of his minor league stops. He has been successful in each class of the minor league system and shows that bigger and better things are to come. For Lynn to win the fifth spot, many things would have to occur outside of his control. Kyle McClellan is in most opinions the favorite to win the spot. But he has not been a starter. Rich Hill has been a successful starter in the past. But he is coming off two seasons full of injuries and surgeries. Jaime Garcia is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and has not demonstrated the ability to pitch a full season. Mitchell Boggs has been less than impressive during his brief career with the Cardinals as he has posted a 5-5 record with a 5.38 ERA.
There are many questions with each of the candidates. If Lance Lynn impresses Dave Duncan and Tony La Russa in spring training, we could be welcoming Lance Lynn to the starting rotation.
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