Fansided

One September callup we want for each MLB team

By Joshua Sadlock

MIAMI, FL - JULY 9: Brent Honeywell #21 of Team USA pitches during the SirusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on Sunday, July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by LG Patterson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JULY 9: Brent Honeywell #21 of Team USA pitches during the SirusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on Sunday, July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by LG Patterson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – APRIL 12: Raul Mondesi #27 of the Kansas City Royals runs to third as he advances against the Oakland Athletics at Kauffman Stadium on April 12, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – APRIL 12: Raul Mondesi #27 of the Kansas City Royals runs to third as he advances against the Oakland Athletics at Kauffman Stadium on April 12, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Kansas City Royals: Raul Mondesi Jr.

The Royals are trending in the wrong direction entering September and were shut out four straight times from August 25 to August 28 and have a losing record for the whole month of August. The 33-19 record the Royals raced to in June and July pushed them back into playoff contention, but that work is being erased.

Manager Ned Yost continues to play Alcides Escobar every game at shortstop despite his sub-.600 OPS. His .233/.256/.314 line is not one of a player who should be starting for a team with playoff aspirations. Escobar’s glovework has also declined, making him an overwhelmingly negative presence on the field.

Kansas City needs to start looking beyond this current roster to the future. Raul Mondesi Jr. was given a chance to win the starting second base job out of Spring Training, but he hit .095/.156/.167 in 15 games before being sent to Triple-A. The young infielder has been a consistent .300 hitter at Triple-A with good pop.

Mondesi’s defense is still a little rough around the edges, but he has made only three errors in 228 chances with the Royals. The only thing keeping the Royals from promoting Mondesi to take over at shortstop is stubbornness. He went down to Triple-A, took care of business and is now ready to return to the big leagues.

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