The Kansas City Royals have had high hopes for Adalberto Mondesi since signing him as an international free agent. A former consensus top 100 prospect for three consecutive years, he possessed an intriguing blend of speed and power that made it easy to dream of what could be. However, injuries have limited his time on the diamond, leaving one to wonder if he would ever reach that potential.
Now the Royals’ front office is asking those same questions. General manager Dayton Moore finally admitted what has been obvious for a while – that Mondesi is not an everyday player.
Dayton Moore asked by @bobfescoe if he can count on Mondesi in 2022.
— Josh Vernier (@JoshVernier610) August 2, 2021
"No. You can't. ... We're learning that we're going to have to manage his workloads in ways that he may not be a guy that plays more than 100 games. ... We can't count on him as an everyday player." #Royals
Kansas City Royals cannot trust Adalberto Mondesi
That is a damning answer from Moore. The Royals have admitted that they cannot count on Mondesi to be a key part of the lineup, especially given his inability to stay healthy. The idea that he will not be able to play in 100 or more games is certainly disheartening for a player that the franchise had regarded as a future cornerstone.
Instead, it is fair to wonder what the future has in store for the one time top prospect. Mondesi has been his usual self this season – showing intriguing power and speed while refusing to take a walk and striking out by the bushel. He also has just 38 plate appearances in ten games this year, all of which echo the sentiment that he cannot be counted on.
As it is, the Royals may have the future of their middle infield already in place. Nicky Lopez has been surprisingly competent with the bat this season, giving hope that he could be more than a utility infielder. Bobby Witt Jr. is destroying minor league pitching and has been promoted to Triple-A. Second and short could be set for the foreseeable future.
It is possible that the Royals will look to convert Mondesi into a utility player in his own right. He has spent some time at second in the majors, but that is the only other position he has played. His speed would seemingly make him an option to learn the outfield, but it is also a matter of whether or not the Royals think he could handle that type of wear during the season. Otherwise, one has to wonder what Mondesi’s future will hold.
The Kansas City Royals have admitted that they cannot trust Adalberto Mondesi to stay healthy. It is now fair to wonder what his future with the team will be.