THIRD BASE IN KANSAS CITY

The Kansas City Royals are an improving team with a nice core of young position players (Salvador Perez, Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon, Alcides Escobar).  They signed two good free agents this year (Nori Aoki and Omar Infante) to cover up some holes (2B and RF)  The rotation is a work in progress but the bullpen is one of the best in the game along with a tight defense.  One of the young players not living up to expectations is 25 year old Mike Moustakas who spent 4.5 years in the minors (1907 plate appearances) arriving in Kansas City in 2011 as a highly touted power prospect at the hot corner.  The "Moose" (nickname) hit 20 HR in 2012.  Other than that his career slash line (.241/.294/.380) is not good.  As KC reaches for the postseason he is expected to step up soon if not the alternative is to pursue a third baseman on the market or look an in-house solution.  There is opportunity here.

Mike Moustakas   (Sports Illustrated.com)

Enter Cheslor Cuthbert, the 21 year old Nicaraguan is a longshot and is currently at Northwest Arkansas in the Texas League (AA). Rated the #5 prospect in KC before the 2012 season Cuthbert has disappointed and been slow to develop.  He is now rated #20 in the organization.  Currently on the 40 man roster he got a taste of big league camp this year.  A good year in AA can put him back on the prospect map and fast track him to Kansas City.  He is a talented player that can still develop and improve his standing in KC or elsewhere.  Youth is on his side.  His Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) is 2015.

Cheslor Cuthbert   (mlbblogs.com)

One step down in the Carolina League (high A) at Wilmington is Hunter Dozier, the 8th pick in the 2013 draft.  The 22 year old college hitter (6:4 220lbs) had a good debut between rookie and low A ball hitting .308/.397.495.  All his tools rate better than Cuthbert's with a total rating of 55 compared to 45.  His ETA is 2016 and is now Kansas City #7 overall prospect and main third base prospect.  

Hunter Dozier  2014 spring training   (aeryssports.com)

Both prospects have gotten off to good starts this year while Moustakas has yet to get his first hit in 21 plate appearances in KC.


Stats courtesy of Fangraphs and MLB.