CINCINNATI • A few years ago, when manager Mike Shildt was at the helm of the Cardinals’ Class AAA affiliate, farm director Gary LaRocque gave him a quick, concise way to consider a player’s abilities: Think of the ways he can defeat an opponent.
“He’s been able to prove he can do a lot of different things,” Shildt said. “Really evaluate a player how many ways he can beat the other team. In Yairo’s case, he’s taking tough at-bats. Fouled off a couple of tough pitches. Drove home a run, a couple of two-strike hits. He’s able to play second and third.