Cardinals take a long look at Rasmus

JUPITER, Fla. -- Colby Rasmus' novelty glove hung from the suspended ceiling near the lineup card, the words "Razzle Dazzle" clear to see.

A prank, for sure, that fits right in with the loose college dorm atmosphere at the St. Louis Cardinals' spring training clubhouse. It's much like the hijinks of pitcher Joel Pineiro, who likes to hide behind jumbles of clothing in locker stalls and suddenly bound out to spook teammates, or the Ryan Ludwick magazine ad photo with the drawn-on mustache.

"They're just getting on me," Rasmus said. "I'm not even going to use it in a game. They gave me an extra glove and it got that put on. It ain't no big deal."

Perhaps it's also their way of welcoming him. Rasmus has been the jewel of the farm system virtually since the Cardinals drafted him as a Georgia high school phenom in the first round of the 2005 draft, and this could be the year he finally gets his first taste of the major leagues.

Signs seem to point to Rasmus making the team, even if his numbers have been spotty this spring and even if he's coming off an injury-plagued 2008 minor league season. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is giving him plenty of playing time and his locker stall is located among the veterans. Last year it was on the far end of the room reserved for players who wouldn't be staying long.

"I'm not going to make any conclusions on March 17," general manager John Mozeliak said. "But there is a high probability he does see major league time this year."

Rasmus' 45 spring at-bats are among the most on the team, but so are his 15 strikeouts. He is batting .244 with a .320 on-base percentage and only two RBIs, but has been solid in the outfield.

"He's getting a lot of work in, a lot of opportunities," Mozeliak said. "All that's a positive for him. Obviously when you look at his numbers, he's striking out a little more than you'd like to see.

"But he's still driving the ball and using his speed."

The Cardinals seem to be making room for Rasmus, attempting to convert outfielder Skip Schumaker to second base. That move would ease outfield congestion with Ludwick, Rick Ankiel and Chris Duncan all deserving of regular time.

Rasmus, who would give the outfield three left-handed bats, said he's heard nothing from the manager. He remembers the disappointment from last spring when he didn't stick, so he's not getting comfortable.

"I just keep rolling on, I don't figure on anything," Rasmus said. "I'm just playing."

The locker stall?

"It don't mean nothing," Rasmus said. "I won't believe it until I'm on the team."

Rasmus appears to have a body built to last, fueled by weight lifting and years of 1,000-calorie power shakes he forces down after the evening meal. He bench pressed four repetitions of 315 pounds during the offseason, a load more common for a football player, and arrived in Florida last month at a rock-solid 6 foot 2 and 210 pounds.

"I'm as strong as all get-out," Rasmus said.

The power shakes are his father's idea. Tony Rasmus is a former 10th-round pick of the Angels in 1986 and was Colby's coach at Russell County High.

"When my dad went to high school, he was 6-1 and 140 pounds," Rasmus said. "So he's been shoving them down my throat since I was little. It's not the most fun part of my day."

The influence persists, even though Rasmus is on his own.

"I don't say anything to him about it," Rasmus said. "He ain't about playing around, that's for sure."