From FanFest to Spring Training

"Life is like a jigsaw puzzle, the answer is on the box but you have to fit the pieces together yourself."

To many, FanFest is the unofficial starting countdown to Spring Training. This year, FanFest was a two-day event at Bartle Hall and it certainly didn't disappoint. Besides more opportunities to obtain autographs, the best addition was overall space. Those of you that braved the winter mix of snow and ice for the first day of FanFest probably scored on autographs as much as I did. James Shields, Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon, Salvador Perez, etc. Friday's attendance was roughly 3,000 along with over 8,000 on Saturday. I only attended Friday and it was a success for me. Scored a bunch of autographs on game used memorabilia that players gave to me during the season (especially Salvy's bat from batting practice). I was able to get Yordano Ventura's autograph on his 2014 Topps Series 1 Rookie Card. 

Wins and losses don't matter much for Spring Training but the Royals will defend their Cactus League title from last year (25-7-2) when they take on their Surprise Stadium counterparts, Texas Rangers, on February 27th at 2:05 pm CST. 

During FanFest, Bruce Chen was signed to a one-year contract for $4.25 million with a mutual option for 2015 of $5.5 million, with a buyout of $1.25 million. On top of that, Yost positioned Chen as #4 in the starting rotation behind Shields, Guthrie, and Vargas, respectively. He finished strong as a starter, beginning the season in the bullpen, but coming to the rescue as Mendoza struggled. that leaves the final rotation spot up for grabs. The competition that'll be contending for it? Danny Duffy, Wade Davis, Yordano Ventura, Kyle Zimmer, and Luke Hochevar. I predict that Ventura or Duffy will claim the final rotation spot to start the year. Ventura went 0-1 in three starts with a 3.52 ERA and 11 K in 15.1 IP. He could have gone 2-0 but the bullpen allowed runs late following a quality start at home. Duffy started five games and went 2-0 with a 1.85 ERA and 22 K in 24.1 IP. I can see Hochevar, Davis, and Zimmer starting at some point during the season if there are injuries or inconsistent starts.

If you haven't seen Yost's, presumably set, lineup for Opening Day, it looks like a real MLB lineup. Compared to last year's, it doesn't really need to be tampered with when it comes to left-handed pitching. The batting order includes left-handed or right-handed and each player's career BA (batting average) and OBP (on-base %) for that batting order position . MLB BA average for 2013 was .253 and OBP was .318.

1. Norichika Aoki (L)- .296 BA and .367 OBP (main batting order position in career)
2. Omar Infante (R) - .444 BA and .500 OBP (only 2 games batting 2nd)
3. Eric Hosmer (L) - .322 BA and .372 OBP (.279 BA and .324 OBP when batting 4th)
4. Billy Butler (R) - .283 Ba and .391 OBP (.303 BA and .454 OBP when batting 3rd)
5. Alex Gordon (L) - (never has batted 5th, in 119 games as lead-off .255 BA/.323 OBP) 
6. Salvador Perez (R) - .333 BA and .345 OBP (only 16 games batting 6th)
7. Mike Moustakas (L) - .233 BA and .268 OBP (only 34 games batting 7th)
8. Lorenzo Cain (R) - .500 BA and .545 OBP (only 3 games batting 8th)
9. Alcides Escobar (R) - .282 BA and .297 OBP (only 46 games batting 9th)

A lead-off hitter is one of the most important components of a successful lineup. In my opinion, the part of this lineup that's most prominent is the decision of the #3/4 hitters. I agree with Yost's decision for Hosmer as the #3 hitter instead of Billy Butler. After Hosmer's second half  surge last season, it's obvious that he deserves the #3 hole. Hosmer was batting .285 in the 1st half and .323 in the 2nd half. His numbers across the board in wins last year proves that he should be the #3 hitter, especially with our two newest additions for lead-off and #2 (Aoki and Infante). (Link for Win/Loss stats - http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=hosmeer01&year=&t=b#outcb)

For 2014, I expect Mike Moustakas to have a career year. I expect him to excel in every statistical category. He has been working out during the entire off-season. He got married (sorry ladies), which should mature him quite a bit. He has been playing games in the Venezuelan League with hitting coach Pedro Grifol, where he has completely changed his approach and swing. The biggest factor that should help him improve is his new approach of not pulling the ball anymore. Watching games last year, Hosmer didn't pull the ball as most lefties do. He was hitting opposite bombs and doubles in the left-center field gap.

Alex Gordon. Where do you even begin with him? Guys still won't learn to NOT run on him. Offensively, I expect a better year than last season when he hit .265 with 20 HR, 81 RBI, and only 27 2B (compared to his league leading 51 2B in 2012).

Salvador Perez. The Venezuelan Cannon behind home plate. 1st Gold Glove of many. Gunning down runners than underestimate him. I see him having another great season after his first full season last year.

*All statistics are from www.baseball-reference.com *

Spring Training Home Schedule 2014

• February 27th vs Rangers (2:05 pm CST)
• February 27th vs Rangers (away team - 2:05 pm CST)
• March 1st vs Padres (2:05 pm CST)
• March 4th vs Reds (2:05 pm CST)
• March 6th vs White Sox (2:05 pm CST)
• March 7th vs Giants (2:05 pm CST)
• March 9th vs Rockies (3:05 pm CDT) *Note the time change from daylight savings
• March 11th vs Dodgers (3:05 pm CDT)
• March 14th vs Athletics (3:05 pm CDT)
• March 15th vs Cubs (Split Squad - 3:05 pm CDT)
• March 17th vs Rangers (8:05 pm CDT)
• March 19th vs Reds (8:05 pm CDT)
• March 20th vs Angels (3:05 pm CDT)
• March 22th vs Rangers (3:05 pm CDT)
• March 25th vs Mariners (8:05 pm CDT)

All home/away games except March 5/8/13/14/15/20/21/22 are available on KCSP 610, MLB.com, or the MLB At Bat app.

Spring Training is right around the corner! Only 10 more days until Royals pitchers/catchers report and 15 more days until the first full squad workout!

-Nick Brown (@nick_brown32)