Mastersball

The Royals have their third basemen of the future in place in Mike Moustakas. They are in last place, have a record of 40-58, and are 11.5 games out. Wilson Betemit is an upcoming free agent with a relatively inexpensive current contract  and is also a switch-hitter with power skills and positional versatility. That equation usually ends in trade to a contender.

However, in this scenario, Betemit will not be used as a utility player as one might expect, but in fact he is replacing the Tigers’ long-time third basemen Brandon Inge who has been designated for assignment to clear room,slating Betemit to be their everyday starter.

Can Betemit actually hold down the job? Not really. While he is technically a switch hitter, he has superior splits as a right-handed hitter. In other words, he is prone to overexposure and a steady diet of facing right-handed pitching is likely to cause his batting average to decline.

Generally speaking, the 30-year old skills have remained relatively unchanged over the years. His plate discipline numbers still hover around the 10% walk mark and 25% strikeout mark. He is actually showing less power than in any other season with a HR/FB of just 5.2% and an isolated power of .128.

I think Betemit could do the job, but as a platoon player. The Tigers would do well to acquire a left-handed bat or an even better bat to push Betemit back into the bench role for which he is best suited. At the very least, though, this will mark an upgrade to Inge who seems likely to clear waivers and who may actually accept assignment to the Minor Leagues.

The negative outcome of this situation is for the pitching staff as they go from an at least adequate if not good third basemen in Inge to  Betemit who is a sub-par defender, rating well a below average in just about every defensive metric and scouting report available. If you own Betemit, expect him to be replaced for defensive purposes late in the game.

The Royals Haul

The Royals managed to acquire to players in exchange for Betemit: Left-handed pitcher Antonio Cruz and catcher, Julio Rodriguez. Cruz, 19, is a short and southpaw working in a swing man’s role in A+ ball. He has a 6.9 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 and probably projects best as a middle reliever. Rodriguez, 21, is a right-handed hitter known for his above average-contact making skills and defensive potential. He offers little otherwise in terms of offensive potential in the power, speed, or OBP skill department and profiles at best as a back-up in the Majors.

In summary, one could not expect the Royals to get much more in return for a soon to be free agent role-player like Betemit. Cruz and Rodriguez have slight chances to make the Majors, but it is unlikely to be roles that of any relevance from a fantasy perspective.

While working the Athletics/Angels game Friday evening, hitting in the #9 slot for the Halos was none other than the hottest prospect of the week, Mike Trout.

Of course nine innings is nothing to base much analysis on, save Trout did have to do the rote things: swing in the on-deck circle, get his arm loose between innings in the field, and well, even a couple of times in game situations. For the archives, Trout was the Angels' first-round pick in 2009, #25 overall, and as a 19-year old is the youngest player in the Majors. Here are my initial thoughts: 

While not that tall, at 6'1", at 200 pounds, Trout carries himself as a big guy.

For a big guy, Trout moves very well, as his 97 Minor League swipes attest.

Trout has a strong arm. Twice during the game Friday, there were plays at the plate, and both times the ball went to Trout's center field territory. Both times the outfielder uncorked strong throws, though both times the run scored before the resulting throw would make a difference. Still...

The youngster made four plate appearances, during which Trout drove in his first Major League run, taking a low and away Brad Ziegler pitch into right field with a fine plate appearance.

Over his four at-bats, Trout saw a fine total of 21 pitches, and considering that three were during his first plate appearance, spreading the 18 over the final three was just fine.

Trout did strike out in his final at-bat, facing Andrew Bailey. I have noticed repeatedly over the last few years a pattern of hard-throwing confident pitchers, when facing young hitters, and this at-bat was typical. Bailey tossed three balls the first three pitches to see if he could get Trout to chase. However, with the count 3-0, Bailey came in with a fastball that Trout took for strike one, and followed with an off-speed pitch that Trout flailed at. Finally, Bailey put his quarry away with a fastball down the middle in the mid-90's.

True, Bailey was toying with the hitter to some degree, but Trout looks as if he has the tools to make it, and maybe even the temperment. He may not stick this year, aside from a likely September call-up, but the kid can play.

And, in a couple of years, Bailey will likely not be able to approach Trout the same way as he did Friday, or the pitcher will get beat.