What upcoming return of Cam Gallagher, Michael A. Taylor means for KC Royals roster
The roster crunch hasn’t hit the Kansas City Royals yet, but sooner than later it will, and playing time will have to get divided among an increasing number of healthy players with strong cases to be in the lineup.
Backup catcher Cam Gallagher began his minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday night with Triple-A Omaha, and Gold Glove center fielder Michael A. Taylor is not far behind. He received clearance and is expected to start a rehab assignment as early as Wednesday.
Youngsters MJ Melendez and Kyle Isbel have primarily been the ones to take advantage of the regular playing time afforded by the absence of Gallagher and Taylor, though Isbel did miss several days when a stomach bug forced him into health and safety protocols.
Gallagher, who’d been sidelined since May 2 with a left hamstring strain, will spend at least this week with Omaha gradually progressing to an increased workload, and then the organization will re-evaluate him.
Taylor, who’d been out due to COVID-related reasons (contact tracing, symptoms), will also get time in the minors and could continue to ease back into playing time even after he returns to the majors.
Gallagher served as Salvador Perez’s backup prior to his hamstring injury, and he saw limited playing time in that role. His IL stint necessitated Melendez’s promotion to the majors. Melendez, the organization’s top prospect, has played a larger role, particularly when Perez also went on the IL with a thumb sprain.
The Royals have said they want to keep Melendez’s bat in the lineup. He entered Tuesday with a .260 batting average, a .329 on-base percentage and a .494 slugging percentage with four home runs, nine extra-base hits and nine RBIs in 23 games.
Melendez had hit safely in 15 of his 21 career starts, including starts as designated hitter and in right field.
Royals general manager J.J. Picollo recently alluded to the fact that MLB restricting rosters to no more than 13 pitchers (the Royals currently have 14) might lend itself to a roster that includes three catchers, particularly with Melendez’s versatility.
Trickle down to the outfield
Melendez’s playing time may also affect Isbel’s playing time. Isbel has been the primary fill in for Taylor in center field.
But when Taylor resumes his everyday playing time in center, then Isbel’s most likely landing spot would be right field. However, right field is where Melendez can play while Perez is catching.
Isbel, who started in right field on opening day last season, entered Tuesday batting .276 with a .295 on-base percentage and a .345 slugging percentage to go with four doubles and six runs scored in 23 games in the majors this season.
Right field has also been where leadoff hitter and two-time All-Star Whit Merrifield, who has slashed .311/.347/.489 since May 10, has played to accommodate Nicky Lopez playing second base, rookie Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop and rookie Emmanuel Rivera at third base.
Taylor’s return likely means an eventual everyday lineup that features the team’s leading hitter Andrew Benintendi in left field, where he won a Gold Glove last season, and Taylor in center field.
Between right field and designated hitter, the Royals will have Merrifield, Melendez and Isbel as options if Rivera continues to get regular playing time at third base.
The coaching staff has been pleased with Rivera’s play at third base, and he’s flashed power in a lineup that has been lacking in that department this season (13 of 15 American League teams in home runs, 11 of 15 in slugging percentage). Rivera has slugged .486 with four home runs in 25 games (74 at-bats).
Dozier to first base regularly?
Of course, that potential logjam in right field could affect where Hunter Dozier plays.
Dozier has made 11 starts in right field this season, but he has also started at first base as well as designated hitter.
After a down season last year at the plate, Dozier has rebounded to bat .276 with a .333 OBP and a .448 slugging percentage with five home runs and 17 RBIs.
Carlos Santana, a veteran switch-hitter in the final year of a two-year deal, has started more games at first base for the Royals this season than anyone else (27), but he has struggled at the plate. He entered Tuesday batting .150 with a .287 OBP and a .242 slugging percentage with 10 RBIs, two home runs and seven extra-base hits in 35 games.
He’d appeared to be swinging the bat better prior to an IL stint earlier this month for right ankle bursitis, but his production has not picked up significantly of late. In 16 games since he was activated, Santana has slashed .140/.258/.228.
This story was originally published May 31, 2022 at 6:00 PM with the headline "What upcoming return of Cam Gallagher, Michael A. Taylor means for KC Royals roster."
