Royals need Infante healthy to maximize production at second base
The more things changed at second base, the more they stayed the same for the Royals.
Even with four of the six players who appeared at second base in 2014 now with other organizations, the position looks familiar to Kansas City -- with Omar Infante entrenched as the starter.
Johnny Giavotella is with the Angels, Pedro Ciriaco is with the Braves, Danny Valencia is in Toronto and Jimmy Paredes is an Oriole. The two remaining second basemen -- Infante and 25-year-old Christian Colon -- both should make the Opening Day roster.
But the Royals will need more production out of the position, which posted a combined minus 1.3 wins above average (WAA) last year. Wins above average compares production to average major league players instead of minor leaguers, like wins above replacement (WAR) does.
Only three American League teams had a worse WAA from second base. Here's a look at what to expect from the position this season.
THE STARTER: Omar Infante
Infante is the unquestioned starter at second base, despite coming off his worst season in a decade. In 2014, he slashed .252/.295/.337, with all three statistics the lowest for Infante since 2005, when he was a 23-year-old in his second season as a major contributor.
Infante did drive in a career-high 66 RBIs, although that was likely a product of his high placement in the lineup. Forty-eight of Infante's RBIs came when he hit second in the order.
The 33-year-old Venezuelan battled injuries last season and missed some time this spring while recovering from a bone spur in his elbow. Infante has appeared twice as Kansas City's designated hitter but has not played the field yet.
If Infante's elbow injury lingers throughout the season, it could open the door for Colon to get more playing time.
THE BACKUP: Christian Colon
Colon, a first-round draft pick in 2010, is a shortstop by trade but the Royals will use him as a utility infielder this season. With Infante limited this spring, Colon has started at second in seven games, although he had a rough two-error game against the Angels on Sunday.
Colon made his major league debut last July and appeared in 21 games for the Royals. He had a .333/.375/.489 line in limited playing time (49 plate appearances). Prior to his call-up, Colon split his time at second base and shortstop for Triple-A Omaha.
WHO'S NEXT? Ryan Roberts, Ramon Torres, Carlos Garcia, Gabriel Noriega
Roberts, a 34-year-old journeyman, is probably the closest thing the Royals have to a major league-ready second baseman, and even he has appeared in more major league games at third than he has at second. Dominican Ramon Torres, 22, and Venezuelan Gabriel Noriega, 24, each have time to get comfortable at second base despite being relatively new to the position.
Torres didn't play second until midway through the 2013 season, when he was promoted to Class A Lexington. Noriega has switched between second, shortstop and third, depending on the minor league team he was on.
Garcia, meanwhile, has primarily played second since debuting in the minors in 2011. He has a .286 career average in the minor leagues.
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
