Royals’ Brandon Moss: ‘Thankful to have a job’ after hitting just .207 in 2017

The steroid era was considered the age of the long ball in Major League Baseball — days highlighted by Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa shattering records.

But even after a crackdown on illegal substances — stricter testing, steeper punishments — the 2017 season produced more home runs across the majors than any year preceding it.

It didn’t seem to benefit Brandon Moss.

On Friday during the Royals’ FanFest, Moss said he feels “thankful to have a job” after batting a career-worst .207 in his first year with the Royals. He still hit 22 home runs, but he’s topped that number three times before.

“I did not have a very fun time when everyone else was seeming to hit all these home runs,” Moss said. “I did the same thing, home runs-wise, that I always do.”

The search for more consistency at the plate in 2018 could be coupled with a return to the field. With Eric Hosmer still unsigned, Moss has spent the offseason preparing to play first base in case he’s asked. He was primaily used as a designated hitter last season.

“I can definitely play first base,” Moss said. “I’m not Eric Hosmer at first base. I’ve never been in a discussion for a Gold Glove (and) probably never will be. But I can definitely get the job done.

“I think I’m a good defender. The numbers say different sometimes. But somehow the numbers don’t really agree with Eric at first base, either.”

Moss started five games at first base last season. He started 40 there with the Cardinals the year before.

His playing time in the field will almost certainly be dictated by Hosmer’s destination.

“Me, on a personal level, I’m still hoping he comes back, because he’s one of my best friends,” Moss said. “But obviously I know that’s completely out of my hands and a lot out of his hands. We’ll see what happens. I’ll be ready to go either way.”

The primary task will remain at the plate. That’s the reason the Royals are paying him north of $7 million.

Moss’ success there has always been dependent on hitting the ball out of parks, an accomplishment more major leaguers are doing with regularity. As many tried to pinpoint the exact reasons for the uptick in home runs, some settled on launch angles. Moss called that “a load of crap.” Others referenced the possibility of juiced baseballs.

“If the ball is juiced, kudos to Major League Baseball for doing it in a way that can’t be figured out,” he quipped. “If it’s not, kudos to the pitchers for finding a new way to complain.”

When first asked about the possibility of the strings of a baseball being wound tighter, Moss said, “I hit .207. It felt terrible to me. I thought the pitchers were cheating.

“I will say, I definitely hit some farther on a more frequent basis. Not more home runs, but when I (did) hit them, they would go farther, I guess. But I don’t know what to attribute that to. That could’ve just been me hitting it harder because I was swinging harder.”

This story was originally published January 26, 2018 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Royals’ Brandon Moss: ‘Thankful to have a job’ after hitting just .207 in 2017."