Chris Getz Would Make a Great Coach in the Royals System

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

He was the master of hustle, grit and ground balls to second base. He worked hard at working hard. He was the master of the intangible, someone who did all of the little things that never appeared in the box score while doing nothing that was actually quantitative. He was the scrappy little player who could, at least in the eyes of Ned Yost. He was Chris Getz.

Just over two after making his 2014 debut against the Royals, in a series that he has his only four hits of his brief stint back in the majors, Getz has called it a career. Instead of accepting his assignment to AAA, Getz informed the Toronto Blue Jays that he is retiring. For Getz, it was time.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute that I’ve played and will always be passionate about the game,” Getz said. “I’m starting a family, and I’m interested in other endeavors both inside and outside of the game.”

For all of the vitriol sent to Chris Getz during his time with the Royals, he managed to piece together a tolerable career. While he was probably miscast as an everyday second baseman, Getz finished his career with a .250/.309/.307 batting line with 89 stolen bases. His speed was perhaps his only major league asset, as his 83.18% stolen base success rate ranks 19th all time.

While Getz may not have been the most successful player in the major leagues, he may still have a career in baseball. Players such as Getz, who got by on hard work and scrappiness instead of natural talent, are the types of players that teams love to bring back as coaches. With the love that both Yost and Dayton Moore seem to have for Getz, it may not be a surprise if he rejoins the Royals in the somewhat near future in some capacity.

Chris Getz would seemingly be the perfect type of former major league player to coach at the lower levels. He could theoretically instill the importance of doing all the little things important to winning. He could teach players the importance of getting the most out of their abilities, teaching the younger players the right way to play the game. Baseball needs coaches that could offer what Getz would seemingly be able to bring to the position.

There is still a place for Chris Getz in baseball, and possibly with the Royals. Getz would be the right type of former player to bring in as a coach or, potentially, a manager in the minor leagues.