This is kind of a cool thing about my custom card spring training set; this will surely be the only card of Greg Golson ever made on the Royals. He was send down and then traded today to the Chicago White Sox. I think he may have only tallied one spring training hit as a Royal. The Royals roster is starting to take shape. Major moves were made today that will effect the Royals opening day roster. More on that later.
Not surprisingly Clint Robinson will begin the 2012 season in AAA for the Omaha Storm Chasers. His hitting is major league ready but their is once again no room in Kansas City for him with Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler filling the First Base and DH roles.
Irving Falu has spent a few years “one call away” now for the Kansas City Royals. He will likely never be a starting shortstop or second baseman in the big leagues over a long stretch but has the potential to be an excellent utility man. The Royals signed Yuniesky Betancourt over the offseason to fill that role so it looks like once again Falu will remain “one call away.” I am not a Yuni fan (like most Royals fans) so I hope Falu finds his way to the majors in 2012. I think he is a more adequate backup for the infield positions than Yuni defensively and that is typically what you want in a utility guy, not offense. 
Royals likely opening day starting pitcher Luke Hochevar.
Mike Moustakas is the pivot point for the 2012 Kansas City Royals I believe. The success of the team this years i largely resting on his shoulders. The expectations are too high on a player like Eric Hosmer for the team’s success to depend on him, he is expected to have a good year. Mike Moustakas however had terrible struggles early last year before showing glimpses of the star Kansas City fans think he can become. If he can be a presence at the plate in 2012 it greatly increases the chances of the Royals being able to compete. Even if Moustakas struggles this year, just remember, last year’s opening day starting third baseman was Mike Aviles, and 2010 was Willie Bloomquist before that.
So Alcides Escobar was locked down by the Royals today through at least 2015. I’ll just say this: I love this signing.
Salvador Perez has been fun to watch so far this year. He has hit better than expected since his call-up and his defense has been good(as expected.) I’m guessing he will inherit the starting catching job next year as he has it right now. He is still young and that might be a concern working with pitchers and controlling the game. I say put him in the lineup until he proves he can’t be the starting catcher at this point. Manny Pina appears to be a good second option for a young catcher.
The Royals have had Jason Kendall and Matt Treanor on the team to provide experience in managing the younger pitchers. Treanor was traded and Kendall won’t catch any next year so it could be Perez and Pina. Brayan Pena is a good backup but really hasn’t shown the ability to be a starting catcher in the big leagues, he is a good second catcher thought. It remains to be seen what the team will do with Pena in 2012.
This continues my 1983 Topps Royals set for every player on the 2011 team. I was caught up soon after the Moustakas callup but now am a few cards behind. I plan to get them posted before the end of the season. Hopefully some more new faces will be appearing as well.
A Hair Off Square 