What the Cardinals have found in rookie Brendan Donovan to fill an immediate need is just a hint of what they think he can become in the years to come.
One of the highest on-base percentages for a rookie since “Moneyball” published and one of the highest for a Cardinals rookie ever has thrust Donovan to the top of the Cardinals lineup during a division title run. When the Cardinals host an opening-round playoff series in a week, it’s Donovan who is likely to bat first because of an element of his game the Cardinals think can climb even higher.