Royals Report: 3 Things About Brawl In Baltimore

2) Whit Merrifield Ties Team Record

Whit Merrifield’s single leading off the third inning allowed him to tie Johnny Damon‘s team record of reaching base safely in his first 16 games with the club. Of course, these were Merrifield’s first 16 games of his professional career. 

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That’s a pretty good start by any measure. Especially when you consider that Merrifield has hits in 15 out of his first 16 games.

With manager Ned Yost already announcing that Merrifield will get most of the starts at second base, he’s enjoyed an almost dream-like debut to the big leagues. Beginning your career slashing .319/.338/.420 and pretty much winning a regular job is what kids fantasize about in their backyards.

Despite Merrifield’s failure in the fourth inning in which he fouled off three hittable pitches, he’s been getting quality at bats while seeing a lot of pitches. If he continues to work pitchers as well as he has in his first two plus weeks of play, he’ll hold onto that regular job.

Add in his ability to play any position except catcher, and Merrifield seems poised to enjoy a long career.

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