CHICAGO (AP) - The St. Louis Cardinals called up highly touted prospect Kolten Wong on Friday and put him in the middle of the lineup against the Chicago Cubs.
The 22-year-old Wong played second base and batted sixth. He was 0-for-3 in his debut.
"This is something that we've been thinking about for some time," general manager John Mozeliak said. "I've been asked about his progress for the last few months, and I've said I think he's ready for the big leagues."
The 22-year-old Wong was a first-round draft pick and the 22nd overall pick in 2011. He was batting .303 in 107 games at Memphis with 21 doubles, eight triples, 10 home runs and 20 steals.
"Maybe we could wait until the rosters expanded (on Sept. 1)," Mozeliak said. "But with the way things have been going, I just felt getting him in there maybe would bring new energy."
To make room for Wong on the active roster, the Cardinals optioned outfielder Adron Chambers to Memphis.