ANKIEL WATCH

Former pitcher Rick Ankiel, 26, is trying to make the Cardinals as an outfielder. How's he doing? SI's Ankielometer tells all.

After putting up good numbers at Class A Quad Cities--he hit .270 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs in 51 games--Ankiel returned to the site of his early season struggles. He was promoted to Double A Springfield (Mo.), where in May he endured a 1-for-20 slump that got him demoted. On his return, though, he swung a hot bat. In his first three games he was 4 for 12 with 5 RBIs and a home run that cleared a 55-foot screen in rightfield. He's gotten noticed. Cards manager Tony La Russa said the team would consider Ankiel for a September call-up.

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