Movin' On Up

David Freese, 3B, St. Louis Cardinals
DEBUT: April 6 in a 6-4 loss to Pittsburgh. He entered in the top of the seventh inning at third base via a double-switch and went 0-for-1 with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
NOTES: Acquired from the Padres for outfielder Jim Edmonds prior to '08, Freese's breakout season at Triple-A Memphis (.306-26-91), combined with an injury to Troy Glaus, opened the door for his debut.

Luke Gregerson, RHP, San Diego Padres
DEBUT: April 6 in a 4-1 loss to the Dodgers. The last of three pitchers, he allowed one hit in a scoreless inning, walking one and striking out two.
NOTES: Gregerson was a surprise last-minute addition to the Padres bullpen, having just been acquired from the Cardinals as "the player to be named later" for shortstop Khalil Greene. Though he'd never pitched above Double-A, he limited opponents to a .205 average in three pro seasons.

Colby Rasmus, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
DEBUT: April 7 in a 9-3 win over Pittsburgh. The starting right fielder, he batted second and went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.
NOTES: One of the Minors' top prospects, the 2005 first-rounder has hit a combined .277 in four seasons. Though he batted .251 with 11 homers, 36 RBIs and 15 steals in 90 games at Triple-A Memphis, the Cards feel confident they're more likely to see the kid who batted hit .275 with 29 homers, 72 RBIs and 18 steals at Double-A Springfield the previous summer.

MLB