Padres Hope to Follow Royals Blueprint

The Royals infield is a lot of draft picks and the right trades. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Position Players and How They Got Here

Infield

C – Salvador Perez: Signed as an amateur free agent by the Royals in 2006, Perez also reached the majors in 2011 as a 21 year old. He has a career .285 BA and this year set career highs in home runs (17) and games played(150).

1B – Eric Hosmer: Hosmer has also flashed signs of being a bonafide superstar, even looking like Braves All Star first baseman Freddie Freeman. In 2013 he slugged 17 homers after being a Royals 1st round draft pick in 2008. He debuted for the Royals in 2011 and 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting.

2B – Omar Infante – A super-utility player who has moved around quite a bit, he signed as a free agent in the off-season through 2017. He provides solid defense and offense, and his ability to play anywhere on the field also gives the organization flexibility with other prospects and injuries that come up.

SS – Alcides Escobar – Originally signed by the Brewers as a free agent in 2003, Escobar debuted at the Bigs in 2008 but came to the Royals in 2011 at the age of 24 after a couple of disappointing seasons. He has been given the full-time shortstop job and responded by hitting .284 this season and playing great defense. He also has 114 stolen bases in his 4 years with the Royals. Speed. Defense. See the vision being stuck to and realized?

3B – Mike Moustakas: A Royals #1 draft pick in 2007, Moustakas still hasn’t solidified himself, as just this year he was sent to AAA before coming back and only hitting .212 on the year. However, his walk-off game 2 homer against the Angels made everything else that happend this season not matter much. He debuted as well in 2011, and will he blossom late like Gordon and be sent packing soon? More post-season heroics will help his case, but he needs to improve on his career BA .236. He did smack 15 HR this season and 20 in 2012.