Royals’ Michael Massey turned ‘unbelievable’ double play. This part was ‘underrated’
Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey had an idea of where to go. He just needed the baseball to prove him right.
In the third inning, Massey ranged toward the second base bag. He was looking to field a sharp ground ball off the bat of Astros infielder Isaac Paredes.
The ball was tailing away from Massey. So he attempted to make a diving stop to corral it in the infield.
“It’s one of the things we work on with (infield coach Jose Alguacil) and (bench coach Paul Hoover),” Massey said. “It’s playing fast and being able to play on time. You know ... knowing what pitch is coming, you kind of anticipate where the hitter is going to hit it based on the swing. So I had a decent idea of where it might go.”
The baseball went toward Massey’s glove. He snared it and made a flip to shortstop Maikel Garcia flashing across the second base bag. Garcia proceeded to make an accurate throw to first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino to complete the play.
“Sometimes it works out and you look smart,” Massey said. “Other times, it doesn’t work out and you look dumb. Luckily, it worked out for us.”
The Royals needed the double play.
KC starter Michael Wacha faced a bases-loaded situation with a four-run lead. Paredes chased a 94.2 mph fastball and sprinted down the first-base line. It took a clean effort from Massey, Garcia and Pasquantino to make the play.
Pasquantino stretched out to record the final out before Paredes touched first base.
“It’s definitely an underrated part of that play and certainly overlooked a lot,” Massey said of Pasquantino’s stretch. “We had two of them tonight. On the other double play we turned in the second inning, you know, he had a great stretch and he takes steps away from runners. Again, that’s something that is overlooked for sure. He does a great job.”
The Royals got out of both innings — the second and third — unscathed.
Massey also did damage at the plate with a solo home run in the early frames. It was his second homer of the season as he lined an 87.7 mph changeup from Astros starter Ryan Gusto over the right-field wall.
It was a strong effort that drew applause from his Royals teammates.
“It was awesome,” third baseman Jonathan India said. “You know, he made an unbelievable diving backhand. Came up with a perfect flip. And you know, great turn by Maikel and great pick by Vinnie.”
India said the play is difficult because of the short hop. He categorized it as a 50-50 play that leaves infielders hoping the ball can find the glove.
On Monday, Massey was rewarded for his preparation. Bobby Witt Jr., who was the designated hitter in the contest, was excited for his teammate. He expressed the importance of each component in creating the defensive gem.
“It’s just everyone picking up each other and making the play,” Witt said. “It’s just awesome.”
This story was originally published May 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Royals’ Michael Massey turned ‘unbelievable’ double play. This part was ‘underrated’."
