The addition of lefty bat Colby Rasmus to the Cardinals 40-man roster becomes all the more significant in light of his current 13-game hitting streak, in which he is has two homers for a total of 11 at Triple A Memphis.
The 21-year-old Georgia native -- rated the top Cardinals prospect over the past two years -- started off slowly this season, mired in an extended slump in which his batting average was below .200 for weeks.
At one point Rasmus was reportedly even under consideration for demotion to Double A Springfield, but he suddenly has caught fire, raising his average to .251 overall by hitting .371 over his last 10 games.
With Cardinals outfielders Brian Barton, Joe Mather and Chris Duncan hitting a combined 22 for 121 during the month of June -- a .181 average -- Manager Tony LaRussa will not need much of an excuse to call upon the Rasmus.
Though Rasmus still has much to learn, he has earned high marks for his fielding and has 10 stolen bases.
Showing posts with label Colby Rasmus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colby Rasmus. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
No Confirmation on Colby Rasmus Demotion
Springfield Cardinals officials -- traveling to Texas on a week-long road trip -- could not be reached for comment on an MLB rumor that top St. Louis prospect Colby Rasmus would be demoted to Double A Springfield from Triple A Memphis after reports of strife between Rasmus and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.
The trouble between La Russa and the 21-year-old outfielder was attributed to an unsubstantiated internet posting in which Rasmus was quoted as complaining about La Russa's and his staff's coaching, which supposedly resulted in the youngster's ongoing batting slump at Memphis. Rasmus' average has fallen to the mid .100s since he was demoted following spring camp.
The posting was later blamed on another member the Rasmus family, giving rise to speculation that Rasmus had been privately expressing his unhappiness to those close to him. But Rasmus later was reported as blaming himself for his troubles at the plate, saying he has failed to modify his swing to use the entire field rather than constantly pulling pitches, as coaches have asked him.
The slump has set back the youngster's goal to contibute to the parent club before the All-Star break, with his callup before September roster expansion now less likely.
The trouble between La Russa and the 21-year-old outfielder was attributed to an unsubstantiated internet posting in which Rasmus was quoted as complaining about La Russa's and his staff's coaching, which supposedly resulted in the youngster's ongoing batting slump at Memphis. Rasmus' average has fallen to the mid .100s since he was demoted following spring camp.
The posting was later blamed on another member the Rasmus family, giving rise to speculation that Rasmus had been privately expressing his unhappiness to those close to him. But Rasmus later was reported as blaming himself for his troubles at the plate, saying he has failed to modify his swing to use the entire field rather than constantly pulling pitches, as coaches have asked him.
The slump has set back the youngster's goal to contibute to the parent club before the All-Star break, with his callup before September roster expansion now less likely.
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Doctor X -- the 'Baseball Medic' -- is an anonymous U.S. government trauma specialist with a Duke University sports medicine background and more than 20 years experience in emergency medicine. From time to time he considers MLB rumors, events and news reports as they pertain to baseball players' injuries, illnesses and various other disabilities, both on the field and off.
MLB Rumors editor Greg Fieg is a former sports news editor and award-winning writer whose bylines have appeared on the wires of the Associated Press and in numerous publications, including San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Houston Chronicle and Philadelphia Bulletin. He formerly was posted in various positions on the U.S.-Mexican border with Freedom Newspapers, and was a regular, independent contributor to United Press International.