JUPITER, Fla. — This offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals’ former Rule 5 pick and renaissance man with the engineering jones, Brian Barton, was a man on the move. He jetted off to Jamaica for a few days, and that was the smallest trip he took. The Cardinals’ outfielder also spent about 10 days in South Africa — where he continued to conquer a fear he mentions below — and another 10 days in Australia.

Last season, Barton got his passport stamped for another place he had never been — the major leagues. Injuries and the play of other outfielders limited Barton to 82 games and 153 at-bats. (For reference: Joe Mather, who had 30 fewer games than Barton had only 20 fewer at-bats.) Still, he spent the entire season on the Cardinals roster and is now under their control. Entering spring, he was penciled in for a trip to Triple-A Memphis where the at-bats and playing time would be available to him. He took advantage of a friendly wind the other day at Roger Dean Stadium to strike for six RBIs and a couple home runs. He brings a dimension of speed to the lineup and the bench that few others do. And he hits righthanded.

As outfielders move to the infield and prospects make their case to be major leaguers, there is an opening for a righthanded bat in the outfield. (Fungoes, the St. Louis SABR-based blog, argues that a platoon in left would be ideal with six-RBI Barton and 4-for-4 Chris Duncan forming the platoon.) That means there’s room for Barton to win a spot on the roster.

A day after his big day, Barton took time for The P-DQ. There was a lot of talk of traveling, not so much about where he hopes this spring will take him.

***

Some advice from a parent that has stayed with you is …

My mom always used to tell me that the girls should come to me. That is what she used to tell me, and it stuck with me. It also caused me a lot of trouble back in the days with not approaching women, as far as not courting the way you’re supposed to.

A memorable Christmas or holiday gift you received is …

When I was a kid I always wanted a Teddy Ruxpin. When I got I was really fired up about it.

Word or phrase you use too often is …

Westside. (I have no idea why, just use it a lot.)

Favorite superhero?

Superman.

Best baseball movie?

Rookie of the Year.

Your greatest achievement?

Finally taking my first trip out of the country by myself. It was a few years back. I went to Ethiopia. That really got me going.

Your current State of mind?

More calm and more of a thinker.

Your greatest extravagance or indulgence?

Travel.

Favorite ballplayer growing up?

I always watched the Los Angeles Dodgers, so it was Mike Piazza.

First car?

1992 Saturn

Current car?

Nissan Sentra, and a Corvette

Place you’ve got to visit before you die is …

All the countries I haven’t been.

Most embarrassing song on your iPod?

Don’t have an iPod.

Movie you’ll stop to watch whenever it comes on is …

Don’t watch much TV. I probably would turn off the TV if it’s on.

You know you’re in the minors when …

Your meal money goes down.

I tune out when people talk about …

Nothing.

Your greatest fear is …

It was heights. But I kind of conquered that by going on the highest thing I could — at the time it was the Eiffel Tower. But then I went mountain hiking in South Africa — which are a little bit higher.

A treasured possession?

My family.

I wish I knew how to …

I wish I knew how to fly.*

* And, no, he doesn’t mean a plane. Fly as his favorite superhero flies.

***

Previous P-DQ: Adam Wainwright … CC Sabathia … Skip Schumaker … David Wright.

-30-