Cardinals' Heyward wasn't comfortable batting leadoff in Atlanta

Mike Matheny is eager to tap into Jason Heyward's power potential, and according to the St. Louis Cardinals manager, it starts with the player's level of comfort at the plate.

"What kind of hitter does he want to be?," Matheny said Sunday, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Where does he feel that he can bring the most to this team and bring out his talents? It's in a (middle-order) spot, at least in his own mind, and he can get in there and drive the ball. ... He's been very clear he wasn't comfortable there. We'd be idiots to not at least acknowledge that."

Heyward, acquired from the Atlanta Braves this offseason for a package that included pitcher Shelby Miller, won't be relied upon to jump-start the Cardinals offense in the same way he did with his former club.

With All-Star third baseman Matt Carpenter atop the St. Louis order, Matheny is hoping Heyward can rediscover the aggressive approach that helped him to a career-best 27 homers in 2012.

"We could have some flux in what happens with our lineup," Matheny said. "Believe me I'd like to throw eight guys out there and say you're going to be out there for 150 games, give me 12 where I can play around. That would be fun. ... I want (Heyward) to show up here with freedom, freedom to be a ballplayer."

Heyward, 25, slugged a personal-low .384 last season with just 11 homers - his fewest in five seasons in the majors. For his career, Heyward has enjoyed the most success out of the No. 6 spot in the lineup, posting a .313/.394/.649 slash line with 18 homers in 242 plate appearances.