Yuniesky Betancourt "neck and neck" for Royals 2B job

[TURBO]

Yuniesky Betancourt - SS

 

Royals Royals manager Ned Yost said Yuniesky Betancourt is "neck and neck" with Johnny Giavotella and Chris Getz in competition for the starting job at second base.

 

"I’d never seen him at second base, and he’s come in and (made an impression)," Yost said. "They’re all neck and neck. Nobody is pulling out in front of anybody yet. But (Betancourt) is in that race." Betancourt started at second base Saturday, and he's evidently impressed Yost despite a .258/.281/.452 batting line this spring. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star thinks that one of Giavotella or Getz will begin the season in the minors.

 

Source: Kansas City Star

It never did take much to impress Yost, so this is not that surprising.

 

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EDIT by 1992casey…

 

The material above is quoted from Rotoworld.

 

Yuniesky Betancourt competing for 2B job

[logan82]

I would have gone with Giavotella but it might be somewhat questionable if his OBP will translate to the majors without his lack of power. Getz would be my third choice of the 3.

[Thurston Fluff]

Sounds a lot like every manager in every spring about every player to me.

[Ennder]

Giavotella isn't really ready to start so I get this, I'd imagine they split time some. This is the kind of role that makes sense for Yuni, just a filler to eat up playing time to ease a young guy into a job. Stating this to the public right now just seems to put undue stress on the young guy though. I guess it is supposed to motivate him but I don't really care for it. I never really liked the way Yost handles things with the public though so this doesn't surprise me.

[Bikeage77]

As long as he keeps grinding, it'll work out for the best

[craigharmann]

As long as he keeps grinding, it'll work out for the best

 

Or be a gritty gamer that battles.

[SoCal Brew Crew Fan]

I thought he might be battling Jason Kendall for a starting spot.

[derflotr]

Giavotella's changeup just hasn't quite come around

[Warning Track Power]

I was at the Brewers-Royals game on Friday and I couldn't begin to describe the enormous amount of terror I had when Yuni was announced...I had forgotten he was on the Royals.

[Frisbee Slider]

I think Betancourt fits the mold of a player Yost will enjoy playing often.

 

On the topic of Royals infielders, I think Wes Helms is still available as a free agent. Helms could go a long way toward achieving the necessary amount of gritty-gamers.

[Bigblast]

If you know anything about baseball. You know Bentacourt is a battler.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Just saw that Yuni B is the frontrunner for the 2B job now, and either Giavotella or Getz is headed to AAA, the other will be the utility guy.

[craigharmann]

Giavotella and Getz much have had horrible springs to be beaten out by Yuni. Wow. That's pretty pathetic.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Giavotella and Getz much have had horrible springs to be beaten out by Yuni. Wow. That's pretty pathetic.

 

Yep, I'd be pretty humiliated to lose a job to Yuni if I were them. Especially when it's not even Yuni's natural position. Getz is actually hitting the best of the 3. Must be Yuni's fielding that has won him the job.

[Funketown]

Sounds like Giovanaotoeleli is going to start the season in AAA, so Yuni has inched even closer to the job. Bringing Giovotella up in June would probably save them a year of control, so this probably makes sense because they're a couple of years away from competing.