The Improved Colby Rasmus

The St. Louis Cardinals, who finished last season with the best 1-2 punch in baseball already have their offense ready to go and possibly with more added firepower then last year.

Or maybe just increased firepower.

Cardinals centerfielder Colby Rasmus finished last season hitting .251 with 16 HR's and 52 RBI's, not a bad year for a rookie. The youngster has a chance to add more then just great defense this year however. This spring Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols have combined to hit .421 with 14 extra base hits add to the mix that Rasmus himself is hitting over .500 with seven extra base hits and you have a great speed option to put in between, before, or after.

Oh wait, I forgot to mention Ryan Ludwick. But does that even count since he's hitting less then the other three? Well, .369 and 11 extra base hits is pretty good too, right?

Hey Cubs, scared yet? How about you Milwaukee?

Aside from Pujols, Holliday, and Ludwick, Rasmus is the 4th piece of the lineup that looks to become a key componet this year. The Cardinals knew what they were getting with him defensively and sure enough, it showed up last year.

But this year, St. Louis' young center fielder has a chance to become what Jim Edmonds was during those mid 00's Cardinals postseason runs.

Getting excited yet, Red Bird fans?

You've got Jim Edmonds at age 23.