I've been waiting...and waiting....and waiting.....finally - Joey Gathright has made his way back to the big league club. It's time to see what we've got in this guy. Can he lead off? Can he play centerfield? Is he part of the future here in KC???
Don't get me wrong - I love David DeJesus. But I don't love him as a leadoff hitter. I like him better as a #2. DDJ is patient, takes pitches, gets on base. He doesn't have the speed you'd like to see in a leadoff hitter, and he doesn't have the pop you'd like to see in a #3 guy. If Gathright can hit at this level....and that's a big IF (although he's 2-for-2 tonight so far).....he's the perfect leadoff guy. Probably one of the fastest - if not THE fastest - guy in baseball.
I won't be as picky on where he plays in the outfield. DDJ plays a fine centerfield...but....Gathright could play a great center with his speed and range. If he pans out and becomes our man out there, our range in the outfield is instantly improved. Imagine Gathright with his speed in center, DDJ with his pretty good speed in left, and Teahen with his speed (and his laser rocket arm, you know, like Peyton Manning?) in right. Not a bad outfield going into the next few years.
Of course, all of this is coming from the optimist in me. Gathright's never been able to get it done at the plate at this level. He was hitting over .300 at Omaha, but it's a whole different ballgame up here (just ask Alex Gordon).
Regardless of what happens, it's about time they brought him back up. We need to see what we've got, for better or for worse. I'm hoping for the better.
DON'T FORGET! BASEBALL AMATEUR DRAFT STARTS TOMORROW!!!!
2 comments:
Mike Moustakas
Chatsworth (Calif.) HS
The Royals first selection. Don't know much about this SS.
Do you think they would have taken Price if the Rays didn't?
I think they definitely would've taken Price if he was there.
I know Moustakas can absolutely rake. He won't be a SS for long....career High School home run leader in California with 52. He hit 24 his senior year. Don't know where he'll end up playing in the field, but don't think it'll be a Billy Butler situation. I think this guy's a better athlete and will play the field, where Butler will likely be a career DH.
Post a Comment