Eric Hosmer’s arrival to the big leagues raises a lot of questions. Questions like what happens to Kila Ka’aihue and Clint Robinson? and who will be the next minor leaguer we see brought up? The Ka’aihue/Robinson situation is an interesting one. Hosmer was torching the minors, hitting 3 home runs with 15 RBI’s and batting .439. While he was getting all of the attention, Clint Robinson was casually hitting 8 home runs with 22 RBI’s and batted .313. This is the same Clint Robinson who impressed during spring training this year. These are the numbers of a guy who needs to be in the majors. The problem is he doesn’t play a position other than DH and there is no room on the roster for him. Kila, sadly, is back at AAA now also and it is going to be a miracle to see him get regular playing time again. With Hosmer only being 21, and Billy Butler just turning 25, it’s safe to assume that first base and DH are going to be taken care of for awhile, leaving no room for minor leaguers to come up. So what to do? It is safe to say Kila will be traded at some point, because even if he is converted to an outfielder, there is nowhere for him to go with Gordon manning left, Lorenzo Cain being the future at center, and Wil Myers eventually handling right. Baring any injuries to Butler or Hosmer, the same will most likely happen to Robinson, unless he pulls a Ryan Shealy and becomes a career minor leaguer. Now that we have sorted that out.. who will be the next minor leaguer that get brought up?
My guess would be Mike Montgomery. He was clearly ready in spring training and continues to dominate the minors. Danny Duffy is the other possibility, but Montgomery is said to be more “major league” ready. The other option is Mike Moustakas, but why bring him up now with Betemit and Aviles swinging hot bats? If one of the two gets hurt or traded, expect to see Moustakas. If you would have asked me at the start of the season “who will be the first minor leaguer up?” I would have said Lorenzo Cain without hesitation. However, Melky, Gordon, and Francoeur have all played unbelievably well in all aspects of the game. Not to mention Dyson’s legs proving themselves worthy of a roster spot. Now, I am starting to doubt we see Lorenzo Cain at all this season, unless either Melky or Francoeur get traded.
Overall, this is a good problem to have, and not one this organization has had in awhile. Too many good players at a position is always a good thing. If nothing else, the Royals can get something for them at the deadline (pitching perhaps?) either way, you can’t argue how fun it is watching a promising Royals team competing, even though it is still May.
