Kansas City Royals: Yost Plans To Use Alex Gordon In CF – Call to the Pen

Mar 2, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon against the Texas Rangers during a Spring Training game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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During the Royals first full-squad workout at their spring training facility in Surprise, AZ, Ned Yost informed reporters that the team was going tobe experimental and open minded with their outfield this spring.

The second overall pick in 2005, Alex Gordon has had an unusual career path. Gordon started his career as a third baseman, but was unable to hit well enough to stick at the position. In 2011 the Royals made him a full-time left fielder, a move that has paid enormous dividends. From 2011-2014, Gordon won 4 straight Gold Gloves. His 87 Defensive Runs Saved rankfirst among outfielders in that stretch, as do his 60.4 Ultimate Zone Rating and 35.9 Arm rating.

Most first round picks (that are position players) provide value with their bat. Gordon, on the other hand, has been stronger with the glove throughout his career. His career 110 wRC+ranks 87thsince his debut in 2007. On the flip side of things, Gordons 99 DRS (including his time at 3B) places 3rd in that span. While hes had some strong offensive seasons, Gordon has long been considered a glove-first player.

Now it appears the Royals will try and move Gordon around some more. The departure of Jarrod Dyson, alongwith the arrivals of Brandon Moss and Jorge Soler, leavestheRoyals defensively weakened. Dyson is regarded as a very good defender in the outfield, while both Moss and Soler are average at best. As Yost explained, the team is relying on Gordons versatility to save the Royals outfield defense:

This might have been a good idea if Gordon were still in his 20s, but players practicallynever shift to amore demanding position once they reach their 30s. Now 33 years old, Gordon haslost a step defensively in the past two seasons. His 15.7 UZR since2015 ranks 9th, which isnt so bad. However hisArm rating of 2.3 (22nd) and 11 DRS (18th) clearly display that Gordon isnt the same outfielder he used to be. In factGordons teammate, CF Lorenzo Cain, has rated as a better defender according to DRS and UZRsince becoming an everyday player. Therefore its highly unlikely that this will be anything more than a spring training experiment.

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Kansas City Royals: Yost Plans To Use Alex Gordon In CF - Call to the Pen