Kansas City Royals: Where does Kelvin Gutierrez fit in?

There has been a lot of chatter about the Kansas City Royals youthful infield and what the future may hold.

Players like Nicky Lopez and Hunter Dozier are the long term plan at third base. Adalberto Mondesi is shaping up to be the potential face of the Kansas City Royals organization next to the recently extended Whit Merrifield. Add in Ryan O’Hearn who will be taking the lions share of first base, and super utility man Chris Owings. That covers all but one infielder on the 40-man, keeping in mind that Lopez is not on the 40.

The remaining infielder is Kelvin Gutierrez, who was part of the Royals return for Kelvin Herrera. He does not figure to actually compete for a spot on roster, but he should have a future with the team if all goes well.

Gutierrez spent the 2018 season in Double A with both teams he was on hitting a combined .275. He is a pure hitter, and that is his calling card. On MLB Pipeline he grades out as an average hitter with slightly below average power.

What Is His Future?

There is a legitimate reason to think he does not have a role with the Kansas City Royals in the near future. Dozier hopes to become a late bloomer and a bounce back candidate. If that does not happen, then the hopes lie with the defensively versatile Lopez.

With Lopez able to shift around the infield it becomes an impending puzzle. Although the potential budding stardom of Mondesi and current stardom of Merrifield make the puzzle a little harder. There are only so many spots.

If Gutierrez continues on his current pace he could be ready to break into the majors at some point during the 2019 season, though it will likely be in September.

As of now, Gutierrez has one thing on Lopez. That is being on the 40-man roster. This is just a tiny advantage, but an advantage nonetheless. If there is a need at third base, or maybe even first, Guttierez can be brought up without having to clear a spot.

It seems that in the end, Guttierrez will have to earn his time in the MLB more than most. Between Dozier, Owings, and Lopez it might be tough to carve out a spot this season, but not impossible. Anything can happen.

Expect Gutierrez to make his debut with the Kansas City Royals at some point in 2019, even if it is just as a September call up.

Giving up a player like Herrera it would be nice to get some use out of each player of the return. Gutierrez is close to being able to provide that for the Kansas City Royals.