Wong could be working his way into Cards’ plans

It was the annual Memorial Day Picnic on Monday at the Memphis Redbirds’ AutoZone Stadium, where they lay on the dry rub ribs, pulled pork, fried chicken, watermelon and the renowned BBQ nachos for the occasion.

But, then, if you are Redbirds second baseman Kolten Wong, lately every day has been a picnic. Every trip to the plate an opportunity to feast.

With two hits Monday, Wong is riding a Pacific Coast League-leading 15-game hitting streak for the St. Louis Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate and batting .337. It is the team’s longest hitting streak in two seasons.

For the Cardinals, who made him their first-round draft pick two years ago, this is rapidly becoming food for thought.

As in: When does the Cardinals’ second baseman of the future become the man of the present?

It is a question that has been looming ever since the Hilo native put pen to dotted line after the 2011 free-agent draft. But now it grows more intriguing with each of his 20 — and counting — multi-hit games. And it becomes a more compelling conversation with Wong hitting at a .429 clip over the past 15 games.

On one hand the 22-year-old Wong has barely 900 minor league at-bats since leaving the University of Hawaii. But he has proven capable at Single-A (.335) in 2011, Double-A (.287) in 2012 and, now, Triple-A, and looks to be hitting his stride.  

Currently, he is among the PCL’s top 10 in triples, hits and total bases. His on-base percentage is .371, and he has but three errors in 207 chances.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals are riding high in first place in the NL Central Division with the best record (32-17) in baseball and might be hesitant about making a lineup change while things are going so well.

But there is going to come a time in the pennant stretch when they figure to need all that Wong can supply in terms of bat, glove and speed.

Already their recast infield has shown some question marks. To solidify second base this season until Wong was ready to move up to the majors, the Cardinals had gotten accomplished utility player Matt Carpenter to cross train at the position, adding to an established ability to play first, third and the outfield.

And Carpenter, who is hitting .303, has done an admirable job. So much so that he could be part of the equation going forward while giving the Cardinals some options.

But as Carpenter has competently plugged the gap at second, there have been some early concerns at third base. David Freese, an all-star third baseman last year, has struggled with injuries and hitting. His average (.241) has been to the point where Carpenter, originally a third baseman by trade, has had to put in time at the hot corner. That has left Daniel Descalso (.247) to occasionally hold down second.

Meanwhile, Wong is but a phone call away with the Redbirds, the hottest, most popular thing going in the downtown Memphis ballpark. Next to those signature BBQ nachos.

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Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.