Mike Moustakas Should be Platooned All Season

There are certain things in life that are given. Death, taxes, completely vapid reality television getting better ratings than anything involving intellectual content and Mike Moustakas being unable to hit lefties are certainly on that list. Unfortunately for Moustakas, that seems as unlikely to change as the other three inevitables listed.

Last season, Moustakas produced a .172/.241/.313 batting line against lefties, hitting three home runs. That performance continues a career pattern where Moustakas has been abused by lefties, as he has only hit at a .211/.267/.328 rate against them. Obviously, it is time to admit that third base may well need to be a platoon situation.

For a while last season, that appeared to be the plan. Danny Valencia had been acquired via trade, and had worked his way into a platoon with Mike Moustakas. However, Valencia wound up being traded for Erik Kratz and Liam Hendrick, giving Moustakas the every day job once again. While Moustakas has been valuable with the glove, the Royals need a lot more offense coming from that position, especially if a lefty is on the mound.

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Creating a consistent platoon for Moustakas may well be a part of the plans for next season. Ryan Roberts was signed to a minor league contract, and while he is generally considered a replacement level utility man, he does have some power and speed. More importantly, Roberts hits lefties well, as he has a .261/.337/.435 batting line with 18 home runs against them. A combination of Moustakas and Roberts could actually end up giving the Royals capable production from third.

Another potential option for a platoon with Mike Moustakas could be Christian Colon. In the very small sample size that Colon put together at the major league level, he held his own against lefties, hitting at a .375/.444/.438 rate in 19 plate appearances. Colon also hit lefties fairly well in the minors, producing a .291/.346/.437 batting line with twelve home runs. If he is able to replicate that at the major league level, he may end up being a part of the third base platoon with Moustakas.

Ned Yost infamously said last season that it takes around 1500 plate appearances to see what a player is at the major league level. At this point, we know what Moustakas is, and that is someone with a bit of power who is utterly helpless against left handed pitching. Finding a true platoon partner for Moustakas could well be a quiet way for the Royals to improve their offense next season.

The Royals appeared to admit that Mike Moustakas should be platooned last year. In 2015, that should be a part of the plan.

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