Since returning, Mondesi has been hitting the ball well, and since being moved up to AAA Omaha is hitting.304/.328/.536 in 14 games.
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The Kansas City Royals announced that infielder Raul Mondesi has been called up from Omaha and will be in uniform for Tuesday’s game against the Angels. Mondesi successfully reduced his suspension from the typical 80-day penalty for first time offenders by proving that the substance identified in his system was included in an over-the-counter cold medicine he purchased in his native Dominican Republic. In order to make room for Mondesi, it was announced that Whit Merrifield has been optioned to AAA Omaha.
Mondesi, just 20 years old, entered the season rated as a Top 75 prospect in the eyes of Baseball America (29), MLB.com (37), Baseball Prospectus (16) and ESPN (73), and his strong play at a young age this year hasn’t changed that stock. With Merrifield caught in a horrendous slump, there’s really no downside to promoting Mondesi. He plays mostly shortstop, but has played some second base, which he will presumably play at the Major League level. His stumbling block has always been his hit tool, which has progressed rapidly in what has become a breakout year for him at the plate. The slick fielding shortstop will most likely man the role now left void at second base with the departure of Whit Merrifield and the earlier release of underperforming Omar Infante.
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He started the 2016 season in Double-AA Northwest Arkansas but was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a banned substance.
