Just a little before 11 this morning, it was announced that the Royals optioned 2B candidate Johnny Giavotella to Omaha. In 21 games during Spring Training, Giavotella hit a meager .267 with 1 HR and 11 RBI, collecting 12 hits in 45 at-bats, only 3 of which were XBH.
The other candidate, Chris Getz, pretty much sealed the deal at second base. He is currently hitting .372 with 16 hits in 43 at bats, adding a HR and 6 RBI. Comparing the two infielders, there is one difference that sets apart Getz from Gio: Getz has 4 BB and only 5 SO during the Spring, while Gio hasn't taken a walk and has struck out 8 times.
Johnny simply hasn't had the best of luck behind him the past 2 seasons in Kansas City. His average line is .242/.271/.340. I'm still a Giavotella fan, I always have been. It was fun watching him rise up the minor league ladder, but since coming up to the big show, he hasn't given us much to cheer for. He could very well be the "Kila Ka'aihue" of second base, meaning he's definitely proved himself in Omaha, hitting .338 in 2011 and hitting .323 last season, but those numbers significantly took a plunge upon arrival in Kansas City. I think it's only fair right now to say he's a Quadruple-A player because..that's all he has proven to be.
I haven't given up hope yet. He's still 25. Hey, Alex Gordon was sent down to Omaha to figure it out and look what happened. But how many times will it take Johnny? Hopefully it's in the near future, otherwise he's going to be out of the mix sooner than he thinks.
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