Cardinals to Take Early Look at Top Catching Prospect Zeile
The St. Louis Cardinals called up catcher Todd Zeile from triple-A Louisville on Wednesday night and Manager Whitey Herzog said that he plans to start the former Hart High standout Friday when the team plays a doubleheader at Cincinnati.
To make room for Zeile, who is expected to be the starting catcher next season, the Cardinals optioned first baseman-outfielder Jim Lindeman to Louisville. The Cardinals made the move after Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
Zeile, a third-round selection out of UCLA in the June, 1986, free-agent draft, is second in the American Assn. with 85 runs batted in and fourth among all triple-A players. He also has 19 home runs, 26 doubles and three triples to go with a .289 batting average.
“We’re trying to get some offense,” Herzog said. “Everybody says he’s ready to play.”
Herzog said that he would alternate Zeile and incumbent Tony Pena for the remainder of the season.
Lindeman was batting .122 with five hits in 41 at-bats.
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