When Adalberto Mondesi (SS, KC) tore his ACL in late April, the Royals expected to play Nicky Lopez (2B, KC) at shortstop and Bobby Witt, Jr. (SS, KC) at 3B considering that’s the only position he’d played up to that point. Fast forward to July, and Witt hasn’t started a game other than at SS since May 24. Lopez has been brutal at the plate, slashing .237/.296/.285 through 253 ABs and his defensive value has been lost at 3B as well, scoring at a -0.1 UZR. Lopez’s futility at the plate and lack of positive value defensively at the hot corner has opened the door for Emmanuel Rivera (3B, KC) to show up and show out.
Rivera has played 3B in the last eight KC games, starting six. In his last 32 plate appearances as of July...
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