JUPITER, Fla. — With one of the myriad channels offering Olympic coverage on in the background, Cardinals prospect Colby Rasmus spoke about being here instead of over there and the knee that cost him more than a stamp on his passport.

He shrugged.

“I’m not really thinking about it,” Rasmus said. “It would have been a great opportunity. It didn’t happen.”

Rasmus sprained his knee while making a check swing back in late July. He offered at a 1-2 pitch but pulled his bat back — and crumpled to the ground. The center fielder was diagnosed with a sprain of his MCL, and he’s been at the Cardinals’ spring training complex for several weeks strengthening and recovering. He’s been doing mostly agility drills and will soon advance to full-speed running.

Time is running short, as Memphis’ regular season ends Sept. 1.

“That’s the goal, to get back, get a couple games in and maybe something is still there that can happen,” Rasmus said. “With all that has happened this season, with as tough as it has been, I really want to finish strong.”

Rasmus called his first season in Triple-A “weird”, and described all of the culture shocks that comes with the minor leagues’ highest level. The players are older. Many have major-league experience, plenty have ample minor-league experience. Some have kids trotting around the clubhouse. Travel is longer, more grueling. The proximity to the majors also changes the climate — as Memphis learned a few years ago when players were frustrated they weren’t getting the call, angry they were demoted, etc., etc.

The culture shock was compounded by offensive struggles.

At the time of his injury, Rasmus was hitting around .250 and slugging slightly less than .400. It was enough to disappoint the player, but not hurt his standing in the industry — Baseball America still named him a top-five prospect in the game with its midseason update. Opposing teams worked him soft and away. Changeups. Breaking balls. The Cardinals worked with him on hitting better, more consistently to all fields. Rasmus flatly denied that there was any tinkering with his swing to help revive his numbers.

“It was just different,” Rasmus said. “When I have fun, I play better. I just wasn’t having as much fun.”

Coaches around the campus in Jupiter remarked how Rasmus has clearly added strength this summer, filling out his frame even as he’s rehabbed here in Florida. He said he’s been able to keep up with weight training, especially the upper-body work, and most of his usual workouts even as he nurses the knee back to health.

It is unclear what Rasmus’ injury means for his immediate future.

The Cardinals are considering him for a September callup, but that would mean adding him to the 40- man roster. As one Cardinals official said Wednesday: “That kind of decision might depend on where we are (in the standings).” There is also the possibility that Rasmus will try to make up for lost at-bats by playing in a winter league. He did not play in last fall’s Arizona Fall League because of a chance to play Team USA. Rasmus said that decision hasn’t been made.

He said that as the Olympics continued over his right shoulder, playing along without him. He called playing for Team USA in the Summer Games a chance to put a silver lining on a cloudy summer.

“Rest now,” he said. “When the knee gets healthy, when it heals up, then I’m going to make sure I get a better finish for this year.”

***

Stopped by to watch some of the GCL Cardinals game against the GCL Marlins — Gulf Coast League clubs, that is — and saw how Ryde Rodriguez dwarfs just about every player on the field. And I heard about the next prospect folks are talking about: Shortstop Yunier Castillo. The lanky middle infielder was found in Miami, at a baseball academy, and he was signed for a minimal bonus. One coach called the 19-year-old the most athletic shortstop the Cardinals have had around Jupiter in quite awhile.

It took only a groundout to see what he meant.

Castillo, a switch-hitter, slashed a grounder to second. It was a routine play. Understand that things happen at a reduced speed at this level. Fielders aren’t as quick to the ball. They aren’t as quick to transfer. The throws aren’t as strong. The play developed slower. All of it but Castillo. He nearly beat the 20-foot throw by the second baseman.

“He can run,” said one observer, not with the Cardinals.

“You should see him throw,” said a coach.

We’ll see. 

***

With the signing deadline approaching Friday, Baseball America is loaded with links about who has signed, who hasn’t and who could be signing somewhere other than organized baseball. Mizzou pitcher Aaron Crow has reportedly agreed to a deal with an independent baseball team, the same one agent Scott Boras has used to stow other clients. … The Cardinals have signed 29 of their first 30 picks from the draft (subscription required), and only the Navy kept them from going 30-for-30. Thirteenth-round pick Mitch Harris, the pitcher from Annapolis, remains on active duty, but because he’s a senior tomorrow’s deadline does not apply. The Cardinals will have more time to work something out with Harris and the Navy to get him into the organization next season. … Another BA link, this one is a look at the resurgent season by the Memphis Redbirds, as reported by Redbirds beat writer Marlon Morgan.

***

Steven Hill was in the GCL lineup, his second game back from a busted finger, and he in his first at-bat he mashed a home run over the deepest part of center field. He would go on to hit two more home runs in the game. Hill has worked out at catcher for the Cardinals, though he’s seen as a hitter who can increase his value at a variety of positions. He’ll play first, outfield and, yes, be used at catcher to keep that as an option.

***

The word around High-A Palm Beach is that first-round pick Brett Wallace could end the season there, but not until Quad Cities is out of the playoff hunt. The plan is to have the third baseman play with the Low-A team as long as it is in contention, which could be the remainder of the minor-league season.

***

THE LINEUP

favorite eats while on the road so far this season

Haven’t done one of these in awhile, but as I drove up to Jupiter and scored one of my favorite lunch treats, thought it would be a good idea to dust off  the lineup and give you a, ahem, flavor of the road (all quick stops; good for a bite or to watch a game).

1. J.G. Melon’s cheeseburger, Manhattan

2. Pyro’s Grill, Totanka wrap, with blue cheese of course.

3. Hapa Sushi’s “moo moo roll”, if they have it, accompanied by (not for the kiddies, of course) the house rice beer; on Pearl Street, in Boulder, Colo.

4. Two Boot’s pizza, any slice, can’t go wrong, Manhattan

5. Lil’ Pappasito’s, in Houston.

6. Beau Jo’s Pizza, try a mountain pie, in Denver.

7. Beard Papa cream puff, Greenwich Village. Gotta have dessert, right?

8. A perogy, somewhere in Pittsburgh. Not one that races.

9. And … for good measure, one from the neighborhood, no boarding pass necessary: almond crunch chicken fingers at Tin Can Tavern.

Some day I should put together a list of the best places to eat around the various leagues. It might a little New Orleans heavy, and it would certainly start with Jacques-Imo’s.

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