Around the Horn: Outfielders
02/08/2006
Following is the sixth in a series of weekly stories on MLB.com examining each Major League club, position-by-position. Each Wednesday until Spring Training camps open, we'll preview a different position. Today: Outfielders.
Give this to Reggie Sanders. He moves around baseball but also often lands in a good spot.
The Royals are his eighth Major League club. But he's managed to get into six postseasons with three trips to the World Series.
That's the kind of history that helped attract the Royals to the 38-year-old Sanders, who goes into Spring Training as their right fielder.
Sanders, most recently a playoff performer for the St. Louis Cardinals, moves across the state as a free agent.
"Obviously he's an RBI threat and he'll help give Michael [Sweeney] some protection," general manager Allard Baird said.
"He has some power and he's a skilled baserunner who'll steal some bases. He's in great shape and really knows how to play the game. He can make some adjustments -- that's why he's played this long."
Sanders has played 15 years in the Majors. Last year he hit .271 and knocked in 54 runs in 93 games.
Sanders is not a home run beast but gets his share (21 last year). He is a good mistake hitter and is noted as a clutch performer. He figures to bat fourth behind Sweeney, giving pitchers pause before being too careful working to the Royals slugger.
This enables Emil Brown to slide down in the lineup, giving the run-starved Royals more impact in the second half.
Brown is one of those pleasant puzzles, a longtime Minor Leaguer who burst out for 86 RBIs and 17 home runs in his first season for the Royals.
The Royals aren't quite sure what to make of Brown, just hoping his big season wasn't a fluke.
"He comes into Spring Training where it's his job to lose," Baird said.
Brown probably will move across to left field where he seemed more comfortable in a late-season switch. In right, Brown was error-prone and unsteady at times.
However, Brown possesses a strong arm and, like Sanders, has pretty good speed. In fact, Brown's 10 steals led the Royals; Sanders swiped 14 for the Cardinals.
Between them in the field and at the top of the batting order will be David DeJesus, who missed almost the final month with a strained shoulder.
"He's very skilled. He's not a toolsy center fielder but very skilled. He reads his routes above average, his throwing accuracy is above average -- he's an above-average outfielder," Baird said.
At the plate, DeJesus is patient, has a good eye and makes excellent contact. With 42 walks, his on-base percentage was .359.
He still hasn't emerged as a base stealer -- he was just five for 10 last season -- but that could be in his future.
Chip Ambres, who has fine speed (19 steals for the Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket), appears to be the leader for the fourth outfield spot. He can play center field as well as the corners.
"He comes in where he's got to be beat out for the fourth spot in the outfield," Baird said. "He has some speed and defense, and a pretty good approach to the plate."
Ambres will get competition from fan favorite Aaron Guiel, who pounded 30 homers and had 103 RBIs for Triple-A Omaha. Guiel, a regular in 2003, apparently has overcome the eye problems that ruined his 2004 season.
Also in the picture is first baseman-designated hitter Matt Stairs, also 38.
"He's underrated as an outfielder -- his readings are good and he knows when to take a chance and when not to," Baird said.
Source: http://royals.mlb.com/
Following is the sixth in a series of weekly stories on MLB.com examining each Major League club, position-by-position. Each Wednesday until Spring Training camps open, we'll preview a different position. Today: Outfielders.
Give this to Reggie Sanders. He moves around baseball but also often lands in a good spot.
The Royals are his eighth Major League club. But he's managed to get into six postseasons with three trips to the World Series.
That's the kind of history that helped attract the Royals to the 38-year-old Sanders, who goes into Spring Training as their right fielder.
Sanders, most recently a playoff performer for the St. Louis Cardinals, moves across the state as a free agent.
"Obviously he's an RBI threat and he'll help give Michael [Sweeney] some protection," general manager Allard Baird said.
"He has some power and he's a skilled baserunner who'll steal some bases. He's in great shape and really knows how to play the game. He can make some adjustments -- that's why he's played this long."
Sanders has played 15 years in the Majors. Last year he hit .271 and knocked in 54 runs in 93 games.
Sanders is not a home run beast but gets his share (21 last year). He is a good mistake hitter and is noted as a clutch performer. He figures to bat fourth behind Sweeney, giving pitchers pause before being too careful working to the Royals slugger.
This enables Emil Brown to slide down in the lineup, giving the run-starved Royals more impact in the second half.
Brown is one of those pleasant puzzles, a longtime Minor Leaguer who burst out for 86 RBIs and 17 home runs in his first season for the Royals.
The Royals aren't quite sure what to make of Brown, just hoping his big season wasn't a fluke.
"He comes into Spring Training where it's his job to lose," Baird said.
Brown probably will move across to left field where he seemed more comfortable in a late-season switch. In right, Brown was error-prone and unsteady at times.
However, Brown possesses a strong arm and, like Sanders, has pretty good speed. In fact, Brown's 10 steals led the Royals; Sanders swiped 14 for the Cardinals.
Between them in the field and at the top of the batting order will be David DeJesus, who missed almost the final month with a strained shoulder.
"He's very skilled. He's not a toolsy center fielder but very skilled. He reads his routes above average, his throwing accuracy is above average -- he's an above-average outfielder," Baird said.
At the plate, DeJesus is patient, has a good eye and makes excellent contact. With 42 walks, his on-base percentage was .359.
He still hasn't emerged as a base stealer -- he was just five for 10 last season -- but that could be in his future.
Chip Ambres, who has fine speed (19 steals for the Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket), appears to be the leader for the fourth outfield spot. He can play center field as well as the corners.
"He comes in where he's got to be beat out for the fourth spot in the outfield," Baird said. "He has some speed and defense, and a pretty good approach to the plate."
Ambres will get competition from fan favorite Aaron Guiel, who pounded 30 homers and had 103 RBIs for Triple-A Omaha. Guiel, a regular in 2003, apparently has overcome the eye problems that ruined his 2004 season.
Also in the picture is first baseman-designated hitter Matt Stairs, also 38.
"He's underrated as an outfielder -- his readings are good and he knows when to take a chance and when not to," Baird said.
Source: http://royals.mlb.com/
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