He was at Kauffman Stadium working out on Monday, and suspicions grew then: Could the Royals replace outfielder Terrance Gore, also a speedy runner who didn’t get a plate appearance in the first two rounds, with Mondesi – even though Mondesi has never made an appearance above Class AA?
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As the New York Mets prepare to take on the Kansas City Royals in the World Series, they also get a boost from a veteran presence with 2 championship rings to his name already.
If he appears in a game, the versatile, switch-hitting Mondesi would become the first player in major league history to make his debut in the World Series, according to STATS (see full story).
Reynolds has never played in a major league game, either.
Chamberlain joined the Royals late in the season, But Kansas City announced today that he won’t be part of the teams 25-man roster for the World Series.
The Royals have placed infielder Raul Mondesi on the roster by selecting his contract from Northwest Arkansas.
The younger Mondesi has not played above the double-A level, but Kansas City Manager Ned Yost said the Royals like his ability to switch-hit, bunt, play second base and shortstop, and pinch-run.
Mondesi signed with the Royals on his 16 birthday, July 27, 2011, and was still just 17 when he began the 2013 season with the Legends. Concerned about having to play up to three games at a National League ballpark during the series, the Royals wanted the last man on the roster to be more than a pinch-runner, which Gore has done well in the playoffs the past two seasons. “If I got a chance, I’m going to be in the game”.
“Flexibility for the National League series, that was it”, Yost said. “It’s driving me nuts”.
That move means Kelly Johnson likely will serve as Wilmer Flores’ backup at shortstop, though the Mets could make a move to add Reynolds to the roster mid-series if Flores were to suffer a significant injury.
“Definitely big jump”, Cain said.
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“I think mine is gone at the end of the year”, deGrom said. “He’ll definitely help us out tremendously”.
