BLOOMINGTON - Joe Mather believes he has the attention of the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Bashing 31 home runs in stints with the team's top two minor league affiliates will tend to do that.

Still, Mather realizes he must build on his eye-catching 2007 in order to further enhance his opportunity to become a major leaguer.

"I was happy with it. From what I heard, they (the Cardinals) were happy with it, too," said Mather before his Cardinal Caravan appearance Sunday at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. "They put me on the 40-man (roster). Hopefully, it was good enough to get me to the next level, the 25-man (regular season) roster. We'll see."

A third round draft pick in 2001, Mather started last season at Double-A Springfield (Mo). He batted .303 with 18 homers and 46 RBI to earn a promotion to Triple-A Memphis.

In the Pacific Coast League, Mather cracked 13 more homers and drove in 31 while hitting .241.

"The first game I hit a home run my first at-bat. For the first time in Double-A, it was more a reassurance," he said. "I was lucky getting that out of the way instead of having a little slump and wondering if I could play here. That really took care of a lot of things for me."

Mather's previous home run high for an entire season was 16.

"I think it's just maturity. I've been playing since 2001," said the native of Sandpoint, Idaho. "Everything just kind of came together. I was comfortable."

The 6-foot-4 Mather began his minor league career as a third baseman. He also has played first base and in the outfield.

With All-Star Albert Pujols at first base and newly acquired Troy Glaus manning third base in St. Louis, Mather is eyeing a shot in the Cardinal outfield.

The 25-year-old Mather believes he needs to refine his approach at the plate to become a major leaguer.

"It's a matter of making pitchers throw strikes and throw to my strength," he said, "and staying away from what he wants me to do."