Michael Massey hits late, go-ahead homer vs. Twins

Massey’s home run was his eighth of the season. He hit a two-run shot off Tigers reliever Drew Sommers to put the Royals ahead 5-4 in the eighth inning. Massey had previously entered the game as a pinch hitter once left-hander Tigers starter Framber Valdez was out of the game. The Tigers had the matchup they wanted in the eighth inning with the left-handed Sommers on the mound, but Massey drilled a breaking ball deep into the right field seats. He’s hitting .274 with a .752 OPS and 36 RBI.

Massey’s homer was one of four that Kansas City hit against Washington starter Zack Littell. He now has three homers in June after entering the month with four on the season. The lefty-swinging second baseman remains in a strict platoon with Nick Loftin, limiting his fantasy value to deeper formats. The Royals will next host the Cardinals in a three-game set that begins Thursday and includes a rare Saturday off day.

Massey ambushed Mike Paredes to open the fourth inning, crushing a first-pitch fastball for a 360-foot (95.5 mph EV) solo shot that tied the game at 3-3. He also singled in the ballgame. With his two-hit attack, the 28-year-old infielder is now slashing .266/.287/.477 with six homers and 20 RBI on the season.

Massey is now hitting .323/.338/.581 with four home runs in his last 23 games. This year, Massey’s bat speed is up two mph, his average exit velocity (91.2 mph) is 2.4 mph above his career average, and his 10 percent barrel rate is almost three percent higher than his career mark. He’s done that by being a bit less patient and positioning the sweet spot of his bat more towards center field as it travels through the zone, rather than being as pull-side focused. That has allowed him to drive the ball into the gaps, but with exit velocities that can still carry it out of the park when he gets out in front of one. He’s worth adding in deeper formats, given his everyday role, and is also worth a look in 12-team leagues while he’s hitting like this.

Walks are barely more common than homers from Massey; he has five of them and four taters in 120 plate appearances this season. It’d be big for the Royals if Massey steps up in Maikel Garcia’s absence. He’s currently batting .234/.261/.423.

Massey seems to have emerged as the starting second baseman for the Royals against right-handed pitching now that Jonathan India (shoulder) is out after surgery for a torn labrum. Massey isn’t having a tremendous season, slashing .233/.256/.452, but he has three home runs and 12 RBI in 27 games and is going to get regular playing time. That could make him an option in deeper formats.

That Jonathan India is out for the year has opened up the possibility that Massey could wind up with another lousy 500 plate appearances this season. Or the Royals could try something different, assuming that they’re not being blackmailed. Massey has 1,351 major league plate appearances under his belt with a .241/.281/.382 career line. We’re not entirely certain that Nick Loftin would be an upgrade, but giving him a real shot wouldn’t seem to be a bad idea.

No word yet on the reason. Pasquantino was replaced by Nick Loftin at first base with Michael Massey taking over at second. There should be an update on his status shortly. He was 1-for-2 with a walk prior to exiting.

Massey has now started five of his last six games and six of the eight games since he came off the injured list. He has played both second base and left field, and will be in left field on Thursday with Isaac Collins (knee) still out. Massey is just 2-for-12 with a 4/1 K/BB ratio on the season, so he doesn’t need to be added anywhere right now.

It’s unclear how often Massey will play at first, but Jonathan India is hitting .208/.321/.333 with one home run and five RBI to start the season, so he could lose some starts at second base to Massey against right-handed pitching. It’s a situation to monitor.