KC Royals: A Look At Internal Options For Right Field

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Oct 27, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Paulo Orlando (16) beats the throw to New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda (21) for an infield single in the 12th inning in game one of the 2015 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Paulo Orlando

Paulo Orlando is almost as athletic as Jarrod Dyson, but has significantly more pop at the plate.

As a rookie last season, the right-handed hitting Orlando slashed a credible .249/.269/.444 with 14 doubles, 6 triples, and 7 home runs in 251 plate appearances. Orlando’s 27 extra base hits dwarfs Dyson’s 16 in a similar amount of opportunities (251 PA for Orlando vs. 225 for Dyson).

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The most telling fact is that Ned Yost used the 30-year-old Orlando as the regular left fielder when Alex Gordon went down in July rather than Dyson, even though Orlando was a rookie. Though Orlando possess the speed of the track star he was as a youth in Brazil, he’s nowhere near Dyson as a base-stealer with three stolen bases and three caught stealing in six attempts in 2015.

Paulo Orlando also doesn’t appear to have Jarrod Dyson’s range in the field. He posted an outstanding 14.0 UZR/150 appearing at all three outfield positions last season, but doesn’t compare to Dyson’s career 20.3 UZR/150.

Since Dyson bats left-handed and Orlando is right-handed, Yost could decide to platoon the two players. This possibility is why Dayton Moore should be confident that he can fill the KC Royals right field hole with internal options.

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