Colby Rasmus

Rasmus was a free agent after the 2015 season, but decided to take the Astros' qualifying offer and pocket $15.8 million for a season's work. Houston clearly got the raw end of that deal, and while Rasmus hurt his stock in 2016, the money he made last season should set him up for life. His 75 wRC+ was easily a career worst, and while his .257 BABIP was well below his .294 career mark, normalization in that department without improvements elsewhere would still leave him with a below league average batting line. Advanced defensive metrics liked him in left field last year, and he somehow salvaged a 1.4-win season according to FanGraphs. Rasmus signed with the Rays in January, but even a role on the strong side of a big league platoon is unlikely to be guaranteed heading into spring training, so he can be left undrafted in most mixed leagues.

Signed by the Astros to a one-year deal last January, Rasmus had a resurgence in the power department, hitting a career-best 25 home runs in 137 games with the club. The 29-year-old flourished in the postseason as well, hitting .412 with four home runs, six RBI and seven walks in six playoff games. Houston extended a qualifying offer to the veteran outfielder in November and he accepted, becoming the first big league player to do so since the system came in place three years ago. Fantasy owners should expect production in line with his .245 career average and another 20-plus home runs.

Rasmus' final season in Toronto came with a career-high 33 percent strikeout rate, but he's established himself as a legitimate 20-homer threat despite a very aggressive approach. Most of the damage comes against righties, and on fastballs, and there's little reason to think that he's going to exceed his career batting average (.246) over a full season, especially since he's hit .225 or lower in three of the last four seasons. It's worth noting, however, that Rasmus had much better numbers on the road (.246/.302/.513) than he did at hitter-friendly Rogers Centre (.201/.270/.371) last season, so perhaps a change of scenery will help. At 28, he's likely a finished product, and one that never seemed to fully tap into his potential as a first-round pick (2005). Signed by Houston in January, Rasmus will serve as the Astros' primary center fielder, but he'll likely end up on the larger side of a platoon given the variety of options capable of sharing time with him currently on the depth chart.

Rasmus lost most of August and September to injuries, but otherwise had a fantastic 2013 season, slashing .276/.338/.501 with 22 home runs and 66 RBI over just 458 plate appearances. He also played an excellent center field, though he didn't steal any bases, and his offensive numbers were propped up by a .356 BABIP that was well above his career mark of .298. While a 22 percent line drive rate played a role in that mark, Rasmus will still be a major regression candidate in 2014, after posting a career-high 29.5 strikeout rate in 2013. The power, however, is both real and sustainable, meaning that Rasmus can be a productive player, despite the seemingly inevitable batting average regression.

Rasmus struggled out of the box but went on a tear in June after an apparent fix in his batting stance. The hot streak was short lived and his final numbers were discouraging as he hit .223/.289/.400. While Rasmus managed to hit 23 home runs, his walk rate (7.5 percent) dipped for a second straight season and at age 26 he can't rely on potential much longer.

Rasmus didn't fare any better after coming over to the Jays (.173 average, .517 OPS and an ugly 5:39 BB:K mark in 140 plate appearances) in a midseason trade as he struggled in a new league and with a nagging wrist injury. A .225/.298/.391 season between St. Louis and Toronto just isn't going to cut it and there were some rumors in the offseason that Toronto wasn't against trading Rasmus. The team doesn't have many other options in center field so he'll be given every chance to hold down the position on an everyday basis, but he'll need to put the struggles of a year ago behind him quickly. There's still a moderate power/speed combination to be had here so perhaps this is the year it bears fruit.

Rasmus and manager Tony La Russa have had their differences and it's been played out in the media, but there's no doubt that he's a budding star. Although he's just 24 and should take a step up in 2011, there are a few warning signs. Rasmus hit a respectable .276 last year, but his BABIP was a bloated .358. He also struck out 148 times in just 464 at-bats. It wouldn't be a surprise to see his batting average plummet this year, even as his power numbers continue to improve. However, if his contact rate improves, there's reason to believe that Rasmus' numbers will be even better across the board this season.

With the Cardinals clearing some of the crowd in the outfield, Rasmus heads into 2010 without any competition for the center-field job. He struggled a bit during his rookie year, hitting just .251 and stealing only three bases, but his 16 home runs were good for third on the team. He's still just 23, so he should improve soon. Buy him low while you still can.

Rasmus is still the top prospect in the St. Louis organization, but his star faded a bit in 2008 as he suffered through an injury-filled campaign. Eleven home runs and 15 stolen bases in just 331 at-bats for Triple-A Memphis is nothing to sneeze at, but some were expecting Rasmus to win everyday center-fielder job for the Cards last year. Although he mastered Double-A in 2007, he might need a little more time with Memphis before he comes up the majors for good.

As the top prospect in the St. Louis system, Rasmus did not disappoint in 2007, combining good power and speed with the ability to draw walks. He spent the whole season with Double-A Springfield, and although he’s just 21, he has little left to prove in the minors. The Cardinals have plenty of outfield depth, but Rasmus is the jewel of the organization. He could be an every day player in St. Louis as early as this season.

Rasmus stole 28 bases and added 16 homers in two stops in the minors last season. The top offensive prospect in the Cardinals’ system, Rasmus made up for a .253 batting average in the Florida State League with good plate discipline, walking 27 times in 53 games after his promotion. Rasmus is just 20, but the Cardinals see him as a valuable contributor within a few years. His power-speed combination make him a nice player to go after in keeper leagues.

The Cardinals' 2005 first-rounder hit the ground running in his professional debut with a balance of average, power and speed. Only 19 years old, Rasmus is a five-tool outfielder and immediately becomes the most promising outfield prospect in the lower levels of the Cardinals' depleted system. He should start the year in Single-A.