Johnny

Giavotella

“He fits the spot because he has the ability to take pitches, he drives the ball the other way and he’s a guy that can hit,” Yost said. “This kid has hit everywhere. And if it works out, he’s the best candidate for it.” Kansas City’s No. 2 slot is open, due to Melky Cabrera’s exit to the Giants. However, to claim it, Giavotella will first have to beat out Chris Getz for the starting second base job. Alex Gordon will likely bat leadoff again. “We’ll see what develops,” Yost said. “I like Gordy leading off. I like somebody with some pop in his bat coming up when the lineup comes back around. He was our best on-base guy last year, and he can do a lot of things -- drive the ball out of the park, drive the gaps, .300 hitter, takes his walks, works the pitcher. He does everything you want a leadoff guy to do.”

Betancourt signed with the Royals this winter to serve as a utility player, but it sounds like he could be thrown into the mix pretty often. Three or four times per week is probably a stretch unless there’s an injury, but he should still see a decent amount of playing time as a backup at shortstop, second base and the hot corner. We would ignore him outside of AL-only fantasy formats, though.

The team is holding off on an announcement until he arrives from Sacramento, so if his flight runs into any delays, an official roster move may not happen until Friday. Giavotella, 24, is hitting .331/.408/.504 with five homers, 25 RBI and a .912 OPS over 152 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this season. He’ll be worth considering in deeper mixed leagues if he is given regular playing time at second base, but Chris Getz hasn’t exactly played himself out of the job. The corresponding roster move isn’t yet known, but Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star notes that left-hander Jonathan Sanchez has been dealing with biceps tendinitis.

After failing to make the Royals’ Opening Day roster, Giavotella was hitting .331/.408/.504 with five homers, 25 RBI and a .912 OPS over 152 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. We would recommend a pickup in deeper mixed leagues if he was playing every day, but it appears he’ll be splitting playing time with Chris Getz at second base.

Giavotella finished last season as the regular second baseman, but was outplayed this spring by Chris Getz and Yuniesky Betancourt. Mazzaro will look to resurrect his career in the minors. Dyson is organizational depth.

“I’d never seen him at second base, and he’s come in and (made an impression),” Yost said. “They’re all neck and neck. Nobody is pulling out in front of anybody yet. But (Betancourt) is in that race.” Betancourt started at second base Saturday, and he’s evidently impressed Yost despite a .258/.281/.452 batting line this spring. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star thinks that one of Giavotella or Getz will begin the season in the minors.

The young infielder underwent hip surgery in October, but he’s already working out and should have no restrictions come late February. “It’s feeling well, it’s progressing every day,” Giavotella said Sunday. “I’m starting to run, hit and throw, so everything is going as planned. I look forward to getting back on the field.” He’ll be in the running for the Royals’ starting second base job.

He was sent down to make room for Chris Getz’s return from the disabled list. Giavotella was called up from the minors about a month and batted just .217/.260/.261 with a .521 OPS through 73 plate appearances. He should get a longer look later this summer, though.

That’s the good news. The bad is that he was picked off first base and that he committed his third error at second base. Expectations are that Giavotella will be sent back to the minors when Yuniesky Betancourt comes off the DL.

Giavotella has struggled in two stints with the Royals this season, hitting .223 with no homers and nine RBI over 112 at-bats. He has displayed a strong offensive skill set in the minor leagues, but it’s taking longer than anticipated for it to translate at the major league level.