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Kansas City Royals: Adalberto Mondesi needs to play every day

By Leigh Oleszczak

KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 17: Adalberto Mondesi of the Kansas City Royals throws to first base to get the out on Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium on June 17, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 17: Adalberto Mondesi of the Kansas City Royals throws to first base to get the out on Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium on June 17, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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The Kansas City Royals are out of the playoff hunt and now need to focus on giving their young players some at bats. Adalberto Mondesi needs to be one of those younger players.

It took until mid June, but the Kansas City Royals finally called up Adalberto Mondesi to the big leagues. Sure, Mondesi had been injured at the beginning of the season, but had been looking good at the plate for the Storm Chasers prior to being called up.

The Royals made a slew of moves after Jorge Soler needed to go on the disabled list. One of those moves included bringing up Adalberto Mondesi, who was slashing .250/.295/.492 with five home runs and 21 RBI in 120 at bats in Triple-A.

While it’d be great to see Mondesi get some starts at his preferred position of shortstop, the Royals seem to be content with throwing Alcides Escobar out there every day. Escobar is good defensively, yes, but his offensive stats leave something to be desired.

If the Royals continue to be married to Escobar at shortstop, then Mondesi could see time at second base. That would especially make sense with Soler now on the disabled list, as Whit Merrifield could flip to the outfield whenever Mondesi is at second.

Mondesi came into the game on Sunday when Merrifield was pulled after an injury. He went 0 for 3 at the plate, but it was his first major league game in quite some time. Now the Royals need to give him some starts.

Whatever the Kansas City Royals decide to do position wise, Adalberto Mondesi needs to be playing every day, or at least almost every day. Whether he’s at second base, shortstop, or designated hitter, Mondesi is hopefully going to be a part of the Royals’ next wave of good players and keeping him on the bench is the last thing the team should do.

Mondesi has played for the Royals in both 2016 and 2017 and wasn’t great defensively in either season. He spent quite a bit of time with the team in 2016 and only posted a .185 ERA in 135 at bats. The 2017 season saw Mondesi make the Opening Day roster at second base (yes, over Whit Merrifield), but it took a whole two weeks before he was sent down to the minors.

While Mondesi hasn’t impressed with his offensive skills in the majors so far, this is the time to let him learn. The Royals are going nowhere and the best thing for these young players is to give them at bats and see what they can do.

Hopefully the Royals will eventually let Alcides Escobar’s consecutive streak end and start Adalberto Mondesi at shortstop. Until that day comes, however, Mondesi should at least be playing at second base or even at designated hitter.

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