St. Louis Cardinals centerfielder Colby Rasmus brought increased attention to his new-look game when he drew five walks in six plate appearances during Sunday’s win over the Kansas City Royals.
The five-walk day was only the fourth such occurrence by a Cardinal since at least 1920 and first since 1974, when it was accomplished twice within a one-month span.
Five or more walks in one game, St. Louis Cardinals player, 1920-current
| Player | Date | Opp | Rslt | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | Pos |
| Colby Rasmus | 5/22/2011 | KC | W 9-8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | CF |
| Reggie Smith | 9/13/1974 | PHI | W 7-3 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | RF |
| Ted Sizemore | 8/12/1974 | SDP | W 6-5 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2B |
| Solly Hemus | 9/15/1951 | BSN | W 10-1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | SS |
Solly Hemus, in 1951, was the only player to do it in his only five plate appearances of the game. (Thanks to researcher Tom Orf for the above table.)
On Sunday, Rasmus wasn’t alone. The Cardinals drew a total of 13 bases on balls, including the final two in the tenth inning that provided the winning edge in the rubber match of the Show-Me State weekend series.
For the season, St. Louis hitters have taken a National League-best 190 walks, 12 more than the second-place New York Mets.
With 29 free passes, Rasmus is second in the NL, behind Cincinnati’s Joey Votto who has 37, five of which were intentional. Rasmus’ teammate Lance Berkman has 28.
There is much more going on with Rasmus’ game than just the increase in walks.
The bigger picture
Over the winter, much was written here about changes in Rasmus’ game targeted for 2011. Long before it officially occurred, there were signals that Rasmus would be tried in the second spot in the batting order this season.
As such, making more consistent contact and cutting down on strikeouts seemed part of the desired plan for the third-year player with the intent to reach base at a higher rate ahead of the Cardinals’ big hitters of Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Berkman. A corresponding and significant reduction in power was also predicted.
Some, unable to look past how the message was initially presented, discredited the entire idea, calling it a “hoax.” Yet the numbers through the Cardinals’ first 48 games indicate not only is this change occurring, but Rasmus seems to be delivering the desired results.
| Rasmus | BA | OBP | PA | BB | BB/PA | R | R/PA | K | K/PA | HR | HR/PA | SLG | OPS |
| 2011 thru 5/22 | 0.287 | 0.391 | 197 | 29 | 14.7% | 33 | 16.8% | 41 | 20.8% | 3 | 1.5% | 0.437 | 0.828 |
| 2010 | 0.276 | 0.361 | 534 | 63 | 11.8% | 85 | 15.9% | 148 | 27.7% | 23 | 4.3% | 0.498 | 0.859 |
| 2009 | 0.251 | 0.307 | 520 | 36 | 6.9% | 72 | 13.8% | 95 | 18.3% | 16 | 3.1% | 0.407 | 0.714 |
Rasmus has started 33 games in the number two spot in the lineup, while cutting his strikeouts overall by one-fourth compared to 2011. His on-base mark is up 30 points over last season, in a large part due to his improved walk rate. The left-handed hitter has also added 11 points to his batting average. The end result is positive, as Rasmus is scoring runs at a career-high rate.
On the other side of the coin, his home run rate is down by over 60 percent compared to last year and is just under half the pace during his rookie season of 2009.
In terms of raw numbers, Rasmus is on track for 10 long balls this season after hitting 23 last year. Overall, his slugging percentage is down 61 points from 2010, which translates to a 31 point drop in OPS.
Call it what you want, but Rasmus appears to be becoming more the hitter the Cardinals want him to be.
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Ah yes, the offseason “hoax”, I remember it well.
Other “experts” have conveniently forgotten it apparently. How nice for them.
I doubt the 5 walks had much to do with your assumptions here Brian ……….. he hasn’t hit many Hr’s………….because he is being respected………because he just might start doing it ………. I would say he represents the biggest challenge to opposing pitching staffs………………. at this point, if he would command the two different approaches he has used…..instead of struggling with the long transitions that seem to occur between them, he would have 10 hr’s and be hitting .310 right now.
Hitting……….and especially its relationship to pitching……. is the least understood of all the the skills in baseball…………..that is simply because they are part of a whole. They do not exist apart from each other………………….pitching is an attempt at creating a polarity match……..repellent……. hitting seeks opposition and attempts to be attractive……….resolving difference by resolving them……….
The great hitter intentions is always in disguise………..as are the pitchers………
Colby is so unpredictable at times………… people just avoid him……..Atlanta comes to mind….KC doesn’t want any either………from certain pitchers.
Word on another board say Cards get Brian Broderick back from Washington today.
It is helpful to get Broderick back, and Augenstein after he returns from injury. They can bolster the AA and AAA rosters. Good to have more pitchers, especially starters, given injuries to Gorgen, McGregor, Kopp, and relievers Reifer, Samuel, and Bittle.
Nice analysis from Mr. Walton.
In future, Rasmus can return to the pursuit of slugging. Right now, he is a good fit in the 2nd slot in the lineup.
For all the noise last summer about TLR and Rasmus not getting along, Colby seems to be fitting in well. He hits the cutoff man. If Uncle Tony wants a high on base percentage, then Rasmus works on that. He is building his career.
Reds are getting hammered…………..they sent Volkez back to AAA………they’re playing to win.
An article about Colby’s transformation that fails to note the new pants/socks look is only half the story. Obviously, it marks a psychological all in by Colby. I don’t suppose anyone asked him about it? I’m quite surprised Westy didn’t pick up on it.
There is always the chance DD has figured out a way to help Franky.
Observers undoubtedly noticed the extra springiness in Colby’s legs leaping for that over the wall homer saving grab. After having sprinted to the wall with enhanced speediness. Few appreciate the drag of friction caused by cuffs dragging on the turf and causing wind resistance, but the effect of eliminating that ball and chain is obvious to the perceptive fan.
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Some will no doubt be surprised fireballing Boggs was sent down, temporarily, while Ryan Franklin remains on the roster, though mercifully little used. For the time being, we seem to be conserving personnel (Franklin) in lieu of jettisoning same. Boggs will return.
Here’s one for Tom Orf. When is the last time the starting lineup had 5 of the 8 position players swinging from the left side?
I don’t think it is that rare. For example, just looking at opening rosters, in 2009, there were Duncan, Ankiel, Rasmus, Skip and Thurston. In 2008, they had Duncan, Ankiel and Skip plus two switch hitters in Izturis and Miles. 2007 was Duncan, Edmonds and Skip plus Miles and Spiezio as switch hitters.
As to starting lineups, I can’t think of any instances. Couldn’t have been more than a couple times the last 5 years, if that.
Colby drew his 5 walks off 5 different pitchers. Sullivan in the 4th, Holland 5th, Teaford 7th, Soria 9th, Collins 10th.
That has to be a first.
Great find. For the Cardinals, it is a first.
Lohse tried to give Ludwick a HR, but Rasmus said No. Better than Edmonds and much better than van Slyke.
Its strange that a game has been underway for an entire inning already and there are not many posts about TLR’s mistakes and Albert’s sub-little-league stance. Maybe they got tuckered out yesterday spewing this nonsense.
It would not be fun to be a Padres fan.
Colby is having a great game. Saved a run and now collected another walk.
This game could be a low scoring affair.
It does not make much difference to Lance if he plays LF or RF. In either, he has limited range.
The Padres must make Lohse feel like he is Cy Young.
The Cards are making Moseley think the same thing.
Alberts solves Moseley! Lance singles. Can Colby work another walk? Put on your rally cap.
Lohse had to throw a lot of pitches, because most relievers got used yesterday.
For crying out loud.
Great game by Kyle.
Its a pity to get rung up with a runner on second.
Great game by Jon Jay, but he needs help.
What is the chance of a game winning hit by Skip? Pretty low.
But we will take a double.
Time to warm up Salas. I hope we are not letting Ryan Franklin have this one.
Praise the Lord for Theriot.
Tallet versus Hawpe. What a matchup.
Resistable force beats immobile object
Fernando is not fooling around
Cards win their 7th out of their last 8. Grind out those wins, merry men.
Impressive solo game thread Jumbo……………… Its just like I was there.
Thanks Westie. Among the 30 teams, the Birds have the 3rd best record, overcoming the loss of Wainwright, problems with Franklin as closer, and a slow start by Pujols. Mo and TLR are looking smart, so far.
Hand me the binoculars so I can check on the Reds.
Lohse was surprised he didn’t get yanked when he gave up the double in the 7th.
I thought Skip looked pretty good out there, and Albert hit one when it matered. I went to bed after that, but I see Descalso drove in the game winner….again. Once Freese comes back we’ll have to find something for Dan to do.
It could be a good move to send Boggs down to work on his breaking pitches, as a starter. Of course, he was a starter in the minors on the way up, so its hard to say if he will ever develop better control of offspeed pitches. Its a good story, for the time being. We have Boggs stashed at AAA and can call him up if a need arises.
Hamilton was up for a cup of coffee, now he is back at Memphis. Kozma is up and will return. Cruz is up and could return if Laird does. Its good to get some AAA guys introduced to the majors, in case needed later because of injuries.
The Cardinals are a business. There have always been compromises. Neither Franklin or Batista will be with the club in August. Considering how this thing has shaped up, I really doubt Mitchell isn’t very pleased with this reload opportunity. He can dominate for a month and maybe return as a starter, or a reload closer. It’s a much better paycheck. Mo is going to want something for Franklin besides a salary bail. Batista has good stuff with velocity and experience. Knowing what roll he appears destined for, he might even be considering speeding up the process.
The Lohse appearance in the 8th……with 105+ pitches under his belt was a little startling……. I believe he was on perfect behavior at that point……..and he was. Easily his best tactical inning……..completely relaxed, locating well. Looks like he might be thinking All Star team himself. Appeared Yadi was having a bit of an off day though. Those late inning lead off doubles….. from pitchers counts, were punk calls from where I was sitting ………….. the element of surprise at having a surprise location pitch startle someone with 2 strikes in the late innings was a guy looking to appear clever……..and honestly, just pressing the issue…………
Tallet in the ninth was interesting……….one batter, even though lefties were on the menu……..Tony/Dave were going completely by the book at that time. That second go ahead run insurance paid dividends to even get Tallet that look……….
Albert’s display in the 7th should show you all what his inner dialog is about………….. and how a very good pitching team measured his state of mind……….. Tony isn’t being fair to AP by allowing him to go on like this ………….. I hope for both of their sakes that his ends soon …………
Let’s wish all those affected in Joplin well. My wife and I have been only mildly affected. Her due date is Sat and our doctors office in Joplin is now closed and Freeman (the hospital 1/2 mile away that wasn’t hit) has no phone service. We in fact took a tour to plan our route for the delivery at Freeman just last Sat. We are now working on a plan B to deliver at our home town hospital. The pictures on our local news are just devastating and heartbreaking. So far all of our friends are safe and accounted for but a couple lost their homes and two other were in the walmart that was destroyed but were able to dig out of the rubble unscathed. I guess it will be a story to tell the junior birdman someday when he is older.
Thats been on my mind of late Kb. Terrible devastation. Hope you all have a pleasant birthing. Auspicious beginnings can lead to greatness. Hope thats true for you.
Thanks WC. The St. Louis relatives have loaded his closet with Cards clothes to start him off right.
We are thankful also for some of the good news that is coming out of Joplin, they found 17 people yesterday. It is heartbreaking to hear all of the radio call-ins of people looking for missing relatives, friends and neighbors. Hopefully all are found okay. There is no cellphone service or landlines in some areas.
Good luck to you Kansas and Mrs Kansas. And jr.
I wonder how Joe Becker Field fared. Mickey Mantle played there in 1950 when the Yankees had an affiliate in Joplin. Years back, I saw a few college summer league games there. The grandstand was rather new, the old one having burned down. I believe it is along the northern fringe of town, a good way from the interstate.
Yes, congratulations are clearly in order. As far as I can recall, you will be having the first baby among commenters here.