TOWER GROVE — A “transition” year by any definition implies not only the integration of younger, less-experienced and prospect-like players, but also those players abilities to construct a bridge to the next season, one where they will be better and, thus, the team will be better.

The Cardinals at least have numbers on their side.

A total of 10 rookies made their major-league debut with the Cardinals this season, from Rule 5 pick Brian Barton to a whole host of starting pitchers. There is no doubt which one of the rookies was the most impressive — he was from the first day he took the mound in spring training all the way through finishing tied with Carlos Marmol for the league lead in holds. Righthanded reliever Kyle McClellan was the clear rookie of the year for the Cardinals. But what rookie put himself in the best position to have a sophomore spike, to, as the club needs them to, transition from prospect to producer.

Several of the Cardinals listed below still have their rookie eligibility despite making considerable contributions at the major-league level, like Chris Perez and Joe Mather. Of those listed, only Barton and McClellan played enough to no longer be considered “prospects,” by the Baseball America definition. (Perez, for example, pitched 41 2/3 innings, coming 8 1/3 shy of no longer being eligible for the BA Top 30.)

A couple won’t have that opportunity because of surgeries — pitchers Jaime Garcia and Mike Parisi – but a handful of the others at-bats and innings await. There are roles to be seized.

Who will?

That’s the question posed in this, the final EXIT POLL of the week.

(Next week: The B-Land mailbag returns. Write PostCards@post-dispatch.com with any questions.)

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