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In Friday’s Cactus League game between the Royals and Mariners, we may have seen the first step towards the fantasy value of third baseman Alex Gordon getting a boost. He batted third and went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer off M’s ace Erik Bedard.
Shortly after Trey Hillman was hired to be the new Royals manager ths offseason, he scratched out a lineup that penciled face of the future of the franchise (Gordon) in the seventh spot, leading to riots in the greater KC area. That may be a stretch, but it’s tough to convince the loyal fans of a franchise that has just three seasons above .500 in the last 17 years that it’s a good idea to put the player who has the potential to be the best hitter you’ve had since George Brett so far down in the order.
“It doesn’t matter,” Gordon told MLB.com. “Wherever they put me, I’m going to be the same player–third, seventh, it really doesn’t matter. “You’re going to have runners in scoring position more when you’re in the three-hole, so you’ve got to step up a little bit more.”
I’m sure Hillman appreciates Gordon’s willingness to assume whatever role the team wants him to, but he’s not exactly correct in his statement. Over the last three seasons, the Royals No. 7 hitter has produced 63, 63, and 70 RBI while their No. 3 hitter has driven in 79, 91, and 102 runs.
It does seem quite possible that last year’s No. 3 hitter Mark Teahen (hit third 113 times last year) could swap spots with Gordon, who has hit from the three hole in eight of the last 11 spring exhibitions and seems comfortable in the role. Obviously most fantasy owners are overlooking Gordon because of last year’s hiccup and prospect flavor of the season in Evan Longoria, but it seems like more than a casual suggestion that he could be hitting third in the Royals order. That’s enough reason for fantasy owners to upgrade the face of the Royals future.
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