Colby Rasmus First Game, First Hit, First Display Of Awesome Speed.

St. Louis -  Colby Rasmus got his first hit last night in his first MLB game.  I saw him a few times in spring training in prior years.  I usually go the first week so I can see the younger kids.  At age 22, he made his debut with the Cardinals last night and got his name in the statistical books, but what the stat books wont show you is this kids speed.  I truly see the next Barry Bonds (without the huge ego and later year controversies) and shows the speed of J.D Drew did at the first of his career.

Colby's first at bat was a ground out to second, and he got his first hit on his second at bat, but the real story is his third at bat.  Colby hit a chopper back to the pitcher and out ran the play to first, showing off his temdendous speed. This kid has some serious wheels on him.  Unfortunely his nerves showed at his first throw in right field, making a poor throw in to first base in the first inning that bounced twice to Pujols.  But nevertheless, this kid has some serious skills in the outfield, playing center through his minor league career.  I have been following him for a few years and people have been saying in the club and outside the club that he has the raw skills of a Jim Edmonds.

Colby was a first round pick with Cardinals and is the first draft pick to play for Cardinals since J.D. Drew (no Pujols was not a first draft pick).  He struggled earlier this year during spring season, but after being pulled aside by LaRussa and being instructed to hit for contact instead for power, he brought his numbers up.  Before the game, I saw clips of LaRussa spending time showing Colby how to hit and it was very clear he was instructing him to hit for hard contact and ground balls.  

With this kid speed, Colby would be perfect, as he matured, in front of Pujols.  The only real question is that do you want a speed demon in front of Pujols.  One of the advantages, other than getting on base, Colby has is that he could develop into a great stealer.  This is something we in Cardinal Nation have been dying to see. It has been a long while since we had some speed on this team, but it may not be good placement to have him on base in front of Pujols.  It would be almost a disadvantage to have him steal second with Pujols up leaving first base open to invite a walk.

If he stays on track and listens to the brilliant managing mind of LaRussa, he could be the next Barry Bonds.  Displaying great speed and has the potential to grow as a power hitter as he matures as a player.

It should be an exciting year for Cardinal Nation with all the young kids coming up.