Kansas City Royals: Jarrod Dyson And His Golden Ticket

Then Jarrod Dyson does this:

It was as if Mercury snatched the quiver out from behind Zeus’s throne, and hurled a thunderbolt from Mt. Olympus.

How do ya’ll like that message?

The play transformed Kauffman Stadium. From the luxury boxes, through the stands, and into the dugout, belief obliterated doubt—and a resurgent team looked ready to seize victory.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Kansas City Royals bombed Rays ace Chris Archer for five runs to take a commanding 7-3 lead. In the KC Royals 6th, Jarrod Dyson then shows off his speed on the basepaths:

Jarrod Dyson finished the day 1 for 3 with the inside the park home run and two RBI’s. He showed the ability to step up in a big moment. And, more importantly, he made the Kansas City Royals believe in him.

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Just after Alex Gordon went down in Kansas City, the organization pulled outfielder Whit Merrifield from his AAA game. From the congratulations he received in the Omaha Stormchasers dugout, everyone clearly expected him to get the call to The Show.

The Stormchasers had yanked Merrifield from the lineup at the request of the brass in Kansas City.

But, after Dyson put on a show on Wednesday, general manager Dayton Moore instead decided to recall pitcher Brandon Finnegan to take Gordon’s roster spot. I can’t say that Jarrod Dyson’s hero turn changed Dayton Moore’s mind about his need for outfield help, but it couldn’t have hurt.

Dyson validated Moore’s decision the next day by doing his best Willie Mays in the 1954 World Series imitation:

Yesterday, I wrote that the Kansas City Royals could not expect to replace Alex Gordon’s Platinum Glove defense. I was wrong. Jarrod Dyson is better able to replace Alex Gordon in the field than anyone available on the trade market.

Dyson finished 2 for 4 on the day, with two singles and his 11th stolen base of the season. Jarrod Dyson’s triple slash sits at a perfectly acceptable .282/.327/.437 for an OPS+ (adjusted on base plus slugging) of 109 (9% better than a league-average hitter).

For two days, Jarrod Dyson has shown the Kansas City Royals he can be an impact player. What does it mean for Dyson’s career?

Next: Jarrod Dyson's Golden Opportunity