For now, Royals second base prospect Johnny Giavotella must wait. And it may be a long, long wait.
Giavotella had far higher expectations than spending 2012 back at Triple-A Omaha. He came up to the Royals for 46 games in 2011 and showed just enough pop offensively (.247, nine doubles, four triples, two homers) to give Royals fans hope they had found their second baseman of the future.
But Giavotella didn't hit well in spring training, at least not enough to overcome his suspect defense. Thus, the Royals opted for the platoon of Chris Getz and Yuni Betancourt, and Giavotella was sent packing to Triple-A.
And now, with Betancourt on the disabled list, the Royals' sent another message to Giavotella – he's still not ready for a promotion. The Royals opted to bring up utility infielder Irving Falu instead of Giavotella to replace Betancourt, though the logic is that Falu can play shortstop and back up Alcides Escobar.
But Giavotella isn't pouting.
According to Royals assistant general manager of player development J.J. Picollo, Giavotella has handled his fate extremely well.
“Actually, I'd be surprised if he hadn't,” Picollo said. “Johnny just has a great attitude. He's a worker. When you tell him he needs to improve on something, he sets out to do it. He doesn't complain.
“I'm sure he wanted to stick in the big leagues. But he didn't complain and knew he had some things to work on with his defense.”
Giavotella is a regular tweeter,and mostly tweets upbeat, encouraging offerings. He and former Royals Mike Aviles (now with the Red Sox) even exchanged encouraging words recently.
“That's just Johnny's personality,” Picollo said. “Some day he will get back to the bigs, but it's just really hard to say when.”
Giavotella is hitting .301 at Omaha with four homers and 19 RBIs. He also has a .360 on-base percentage.
“We know he can hit,” Picollo said. “The main thing is we want him to work on some defensive things, especially with the double play. He is trying to improve his positioning, as the pitch is being thrown. Those are the things that you have to do at the next level.”
Royals left-hander Mike Montgomery is one of the Royals' pitching prospects who should be banging on the door to the big leagues soon. Montgomery had a hugely disappointing season in 2011 (5-11, 5.32 ERA) and is hoping to rebound.
So far, he's off to a decent start at Omaha – 2-0, 4.55 ERA.
Montgomery has thrown three straight quality starts, including a 7-inning, one-run game two starts ago.
“He's working on some mechanical things that are helping him,” Picollo said. “We're really trying to have him keep that front shoulder from flying open too soon in his delivery. When he can keep that lead shoulder a little more closed, he's very effective.
“He's got the stuff. We've all known that.”
Don't expect outfield prospect Wil Myers to hang around Double-A Northwest Arkansas too long.
Myers is scorching the ball at a .344 clip and has six homers, nine doubles and 15 RBIs. His on-base percentage is an impressive .400.
“He's just doing everything you'd expect from him,” Picollo said. “Just seeing the ball really well and trusting his swing.
“I don't know when he'll get promoted but if he keeps swinging like this through the next series or two, the discussions on that will certainly pick up.”
Right-hander Jake Odorizzi, the key piece to the Zack Greinke trade, is 2-0 with a 4.18 ERA at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He does have a tidy 1.14 WHIP, however.
“He's been up and down,” Picollo said. “At times he has been dominant, and other times just so-so. He's kind of feeling his way around now with his second year in the league. We're not worried about him.”
Odorizzi has two straight quality starts, including a seven-inning, no-run, 11-strikeout performance against Springfield.
“Like I said, he can be absolutely dominant,” Picollo said.
Two starters who haven't been as good are left-hander Chris Dwyer and right-hander Noel Arguelles, the Cuban refugee that the Royals signed in 2009.
Dwyer is off to a 1-3 start with a 5.64 ERA. Arguelles has been worse – 0-3, 8.55 ERA – having given up 32 hits and 12 walks in 20 innings.
