Important development for Royals: Mondesi’s having success at the plate. Here’s how
Getting Adalberto Mondesi right at the plate might be the most important thing the Kansas City Royals can accomplish in the final weeks of the 2020 MLB season.
The playoff chase has realistically fallen by the wayside. And it’s unclear whether this year’s record will be the sole factor in determining draft position for next spring, not to mention the fact that the effects of adding a new top-line player wouldn’t be felt in the majors for multiple years to come.
The Royals believe Mondesi can be a difference maker in the here and now.
For the first time since early in the season, Mondesi was slated to bat in the No. 2 spot in the Royals’ lineup Tuesday night in Cleveland.
The 25-year-old switch-hitting five-tool shortstop has continued to show promising developments at the plate in recent days. In his last four games, Mondesi had gone 6 for 16 with four RBIs, a double, a home run and a run scored.
“There’s a confidence to him now in the box,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “It just took a little bit of things going his way to where he got into a better place. It’s good to see the ball jump off the bat for him and know that that’s going to lead to more success as we go forward.”
Mondesi’s seventh-inning home run in Monday night’s loss, the lone run scored against Cleveland Indians starter Zach Plesac, marked the infielder’s first since Sept. 11, 2019 — a stretch of 192 at-bats. He crushed a 3-1 fastball an estimated 458 feet, the longest ball hit by a Royals player this season.
In the same game, Mondesi became the second-fastest player in franchise history to reach 100 career stolen bases, behind Willie Wilson. Mondesi did it in 290 games, while Wilson did it in 250.
“For a guy that we really need and to see him seeing the ball well, especially these last few games, he’s starting to hit the ball really well,” Royals pitcher Brad Keller said. “It’s going to be fun whenever he gets hot. He’s an exciting player. We can see it coming. He’s been working hard, and he’s hammering the ball.”
Until Tuesday afternoon, Mondesi had last spoken to reporters after a game on Aug. 25. At the time, he expressed mild optimism that he’d started putting the barrel of the bat on the ball with more consistency.
He also rejected the idea that his season-ending shoulder injury and offseason rehab was affecting his swing this year.
“I just go out and play the game,” Mondesi said in August. “Obviously, I want different results. I’ve been working for that, but everything is going to take off of the game. The only chance I have that things click is playing. That’s why I show up every day and try to do my best.”
On Tuesday, Mondesi wasn’t making too much of his recent results. He said his mindset is to, “Just keep working, and try to getting to a point where I feel comfortable and just keep hitting the ball hard.”
He reiterated that the only way he’ll get on track is to keep playing everyday, playing hard and continuing to work in the batting cage with a focus on not over-swinging or swinging too hard. Instead his aim is a “nice easy swing.”
“I know results are coming,” Mondesi said.
Through the first 35 games of the season, Mondesi batted .186 with 42 strikeouts in 133 plate appearances. His swing seemed out of sync and he continued to chase pitches out of the strike zone.
Over the weekend, Matheny pointed to encouraging differences in Mondesi’s swing and approach. Specifically, Mondesi’s head and body position at point of contact has allowed him to track the ball and use his hands better, according to Matheny.
Matheny said shortening his swing with two strikes has allowed Mondesi to become more comfortable in the batter’s box, even with two strikes against him.
And that comfort level, the manager said, can significantly change how Mondesi’s at-bats unfold.
“He’s got all the tools you can ask for,” Royals catcher Cam Gallagher said. “He was scuffling a little bit, but coming to the park every day you would never know.
“He’s a great teammate. You wouldn’t know if he’s 10 for his last 10 or 0 for his last 10. He’s just that kind of guy. He’s a great player. He comes to the ballpark every day, works his butt off. He’s been swinging it pretty good lately. He’s been playing great defense all year. We need him.”
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 1:09 PM.
