Kelvin Gutierrez still appears to be waiting in the wings for Royals third base job
When the Kansas City Royals decided to sign third baseman Maikel Franco and shift Hunter Dozier to the outfield, they also made a decision that their potential third baseman of the future would likely remain the third baseman of the future, not the present.
Third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez, 25, hasn’t taken the organization’s move as a knock against him or his ability to potentially one day grab a hold of the third base job. He didn’t enter camp feeling like he had to prove anything or send any messages. He has kept his focus simple.
“I’m here to play hard, play my same (game),” Gutierrez said.
In regard to Franco coming aboard as a free-agent signing, Gutierrez said he wasn’t surprised and understood the organization being “scared” about his health as he cited his injuries going into and during the offseason.
Gutierrez, acquired from the Washington Nationals in a June 2018 trade, got his first taste of the major leagues late last April. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of the Dominican Republic received the call to the majors when Dozier was hampered by an oblique injury.
That’s when “Guti,” known more for his defensive prowess, showed signs he wouldn’t get overwhelmed by big-league pitching. Gutierrez, a right-handed hitter, logged the second-most RBIs (11) through his first 11 games of any player in Royals history.
He batted .260 with a .304 OBP and a .356 slugging percentage in 20 games in the majors last season. In 75 games at Triple-A, he slashed .287/.367/.427 with 43 RBIs and 20 extra-base hits.
Gutierrez finished the Triple-A season with a broken big toe and he didn’t get too far into the winter ball season in the Dominican Republic before he was shut down because of a knee ailment, patellar tendinitis.
Gutierrez used this offseason to rehab and work on hitting at the team’s complex in Arizona before going to the Dominican in December. He also started to tap into the power at the plate that Royals scouts and player development personnel predicted would eventually show up.
So far this spring, he has had a noticeable difference in the way he’s making contact, hitting the ball out in front of the plate.
“My whole career the coaches have said the same (thing), you need your contact more in front,” Gutierrez said. “That will help you hit the ball more in the gap.”
Being able to drive the ball into the gaps has been a focus of his because he knows teams traditionally expect a power bat out of the third base position.
“I needed more confidence in (my ability to do) that,” Gutierrez said of hitting the ball out in front. “Sometimes I started cheating because I’m trying to hit the ball in front. This year, I have more confidence in that. My line drives were hard.”
Of his five hits so far this spring entering Saturday, two were doubles. Royals manager Mike Matheny, an special adviser for player development last year, has remarked multiple times this spring about the way Gutierrez has been driving the ball.
“He was hitting some of his hardest balls straight over first base and hurting somebody in the stands,” Matheny said of watching Gutierrez last year. “I was just thinking with all we know now with angles and point of contact, this guy is so strong and he’s got plenty of bat speed, he’s timed up to let that ball get deep.”
Matheny credited the work Gutierrez did with the hitting development staff in Arizona during the offseason for the difference this spring.
“Watching him so far this spring,” Matheny said. “Wow! When he gets it, the ball jumps. I like him at third, always did. He has a plus-plus arm. The ball comes out of his hand like a rocket.”
There’s still an organizational belief that Gutierrez can be an everyday impact player, and general manager Dayton Moore said during the Winter Meetings that members of his baseball operations staff made the case for Gutierrez getting his chance now.
“Some of our people think Kelvin Gutierrez could be ready next year,” Moore said in December. “He was banged up a little bit toward the end of the season, and unfortunately got hurt in winter ball. If he hadn’t got hurt in winter ball and performed well, we may not be exploring other third base options.”
Franco, also a native of the Dominican Republic, provided a low-risk, high-upside option at third base and allowed the club to remain patient with Gutierrez.
From 2015-18, Franco averaged 21 home runs, 23 doubles and 70 RBIs per season with a slash line of .255/.306/.442. Franco’s presence increases the likelihood of Gutierrez beginning the season back in the minors.
Gutierrez, who’s locker is right next to Franco’s, seems unconcerned with how soon he could potentially claim the third base job.
“Play hard. Play focused every day, and you never know,” he said before he grinned and added, “Baseball.”
