St. Louis ? Every December, major league baseball has a lightly publicized redistribution of developing players to prevent teams from hoarding talent in their minor-league system.

Almost all of the names on the Rule 5 list, players not on a team’s 40-man roster with three seasons in professional baseball, never make it big. Players must remain on the 25-man roster or the disabled list for the entire season or be offered back to their former teams.

Hector Luna is one of the rare success stories.

The Cardinals took Luna, 24, from the Indians’ organization, and he’s been a valuable, versatile reserve for the NL Central champions. He’s played five positions — left and center field, third base, shortstop and second base — and he’s been better at the plate than the Cardinals had anticipated.

“If a veteran played like he’s played this year, we’d be complimenting him for doing a hell of a job,” manager Tony La Russa said. “He’s been outstanding.”

Luna’s average has languished near .200 most of the season. A pair of four-hit games Thursday and Sunday hiked it to .256 with three homers and 22 RBIs in 164 at-bats. He’s also had his share of struggles, such as a two-error game earlier this month.

La Russa prizes him for accepting and making the most out of a limited role, and Luna has no complaints about playing time.

“It’s a good situation for me,” he said. “I’ve got a good feel for the manager.”