Minor League Player Comparisons

[Go_Crazy_Folks]

Didn't see this posted. Good little blip about Rasmus' upside.

Colby Rasmus, OF, Cardinals

Comparable to: Shawn Green

I'm thinking of Green as a career comparison, as it's a stretch to count on Rasmus to bat .309-42-123 in any season. Still, Rasmus is a fine athlete, with the kind of stroke and bat control to turn into a superbly disciplined hitter. Rasmus is not huge, but he does pack some lightning into his 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame, and at his age, there's probably more muscle and power to come. If Rasmus doesn't slow down as he fills out, he could peak as a 30/30 threat who bats in the .300 range with a solid number of walks. He'll likely start off in high Single-A this season, but he should have a good shot at reaching Double-A. If Rasmus puts himself in position for a September call-up, forget what I wrote in the first sentence, and mark Rasmus down as a possible 500-homer guy. Anyone who reaches the majors at age 20 has megastar potential.

Rest of the list below.

http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseb ... nivasanml7

[valley_card22]

30/30 huh? Seems like the perfect guy to fill in for Jimmy ball game in 2 years.

SO in the year 2009 our 2-3-4-5-6 hitters will be:

2. Rasmus
3. AP
4. Rolen
5. Duncan
6. Bryan Anderson (who I bet moves to 2b or LF)

I hope it all pans out and not just red fools gold.

[JL21]

Very interesting, but I'm not sure I like it. I don't know. I think he's more athletic than Green, but has less power potential. They're different body types too.

I give Goold credit, though. He put some thought into it.

I hate to say it because it's so obvious, but I really think that a guy like Jim Edmonds makes for a better comparison. Body type is closer. Same athleticism. Same time table for developing power.

[Dillagii]

I give Goold credit, though. He put some thought into it.

Goold?

[JL21]

I give Goold credit, though. He put some thought into it.

Goold?

Oh, I misunderstood. I thought Goold was the one making the comparison. It was from an ESPN link. My bad.

[Fan_In_NY]

Is this guy very pro-Yankees, or will they have a top team for the next 3 decades, payroll or not?

[BW23]

Very interesting, but I'm not sure I like it. I don't know. I think he's more athletic than Green, but has less power potential. They're different body types too.

I give Goold credit, though. He put some thought into it.

I hate to say it because it's so obvious, but I really think that a guy like Jim Edmonds makes for a better comparison. Body type is closer. Same athleticism. Same time table for developing power.

I don't think the body is that similar, really. Jimmy's a lot stronger than he looks. Colby seems to be taller and much leaner, at least for now. Not that he'll shrink, but hopefully he'll get bigger. And he may have gotten a little bigger already.

I wish the Cards would send him and Anderson and a few other to Athlete's Performance in Arizona next winter. It could really do some serious good. It would be money (big money) well spent.

I went back earlier today and looked at footage of Colby from his HS days before the draft. Not sure who he reminds me of really.

I do agree that he's more athletic than Green. Maybe a Steve Finley type from his days in Arizona? That doesn't feel right either. He doesn't really play like him a lot, but maybe he's a Bernie Williams from the big Yankees runs in terms of numbers.

[Hungary Jack]

I think the comparison is reasonably valid, but it's hard to project anything at a young age.

Unless I am mistaken, Green was an oustanding athlete in HS who loved baseball. He showed very little power in HS and the minors (18HR in 1210 AB) until he turned 21.

Green didn't blossom as a power hitter until age 25, when he started a 5-year streak during which he hit 192HR. By age 30 his power had dropped considerably. He's not aging particularly well for a power hitter.

So the Shawn Green at age 20 was considerably different at age 25, who was different from the guy now playing in his 30's.

Green is 6'4" 200lbs. Rasmus is shorter and certainly lighter, but I imagine Rasmus will put on another 10-15 pounds pretty easily. His body is still filling out. 30-30 seems a reasonable cieling. How long will it last?

[JL21]

I don't think the body is that similar, really. Jimmy's a lot stronger than he looks. Colby seems to be taller and much leaner, at least for now. Not that he'll shrink, but hopefully he'll get bigger. And he may have gotten a little bigger already.

Definitely agreed about sending him to Arizona.

I've heard/read that JimEd was a pretty wiry kid when he came out of HS. I don't know.

[MrCrowesGarden]

I think a better comparison for Rasmus would be Steve Finley in the prime of his career.