If there’s a single MLB player whose own development could most shape the near-term future of the Royals, it’s probably uber-talented infielder Adalberto Mondesi. Fortunately, he now appears to be fully recovered from a somewhat worrisome shoulder procedure, as MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan reports.
When last we checked in on Mondesi, before the pandemic pause, his return to competitive action was delayed by some ongoing soreness. That wasn’t gravely concerning in and of itself, but did highlight the remaining uncertainty.
The forced pause appears to have afforded a window of rest and recuperation. As Mondesi closes in on his 25th birthday, he says he’s “just normal again” when it comes to the health of his left shoulder joint.
Mondesi had remained in Kansas City over the offseason to work through the careful rehab he required. But he returned to his native Dominican Republic after Spring Training was halted. He says he stuck with his work there while doing only limited hitting, setting himself up to return at full speed.
Now Mondesi says he’s “just really happy to be back on the field and I feel great.” That’s fantastic news for him, as he’s looking to set the stage for a first trip through arbitration in the 2020-21 offseason. And it’s most welcome also for a team that is hoping Mondesi can emerge as a core superstar to lead another window of contention.
darkhorse 2020 MVP candidate
Not surprising. No one has moved up more on my fantasy draft board than this guy. An SB guy has a great chance to distance himself from the pack. How many more HRs is Mike Trout going to hit than Will Myers? HRs and RBIs are going to be clumped. Stolen base leaders, not so much.
Color me confused…what is the reason for the hype on him? Not a great hitter, above average speed. and good defense. Never really wowed in the MiLB (yes I realize he started very young).
He’s still got a ton of potential, see his 2018 season when he hit .276 with 14 home runs, 13 doubles, and 3 triples with 32 stolen bases in just 75 games. He has elite level speed, has above average raw power (those home runs were not wall-scrapers), he has gold glove potential at SS. Really all he lacks is 1) health and 2) plate discipline. IF he puts it together you’re looking at one of the best shortstops in the game, like a faster Lindor. IF he does not improve health and/or plate discipline I think you’re looking at Witt Jr being the Royals’ everyday shortstop in a few years.
EDIT: Even with his shortened 2019 with bad OBP, he still put up 1.5 oWar and 1.4 dwar.
Yeah I’ve got to say I’m with you on being skeptical about how good Mondesi can really be. I get that he appears to have elite speed, and that he has shown some pop at times and that his defense is solid as well. However beyond that (which is mostly potential and not really actualized in results) I’m not sure how great he is. He doesn’t seem to really hit for a high average (even in the minors) and while he has hit double digit HRs a couple of times (minors+majors) he’s never really displayed legit power. And he doesn’t really seem to have a great eye/plate discipline either. To me he seems like a guy that might have a ton of potential because of raw talent — but unfortunately he really hasn’t done much to capitalize on it thus far — even in the minors. Maybe he will finally put things together and have a breakout season this year — but for me personally, I tend not to get too excited about prospects who haven’t really performed all that well in the minors. I know that occasionally guys can have mediocre minor league stats and then realize their potential a little bit later in the majors… But for the most part even guys who scouts consider “top prospects” that struggle in the minors. don’t usually wind up all of a sudden putting up star caliber numbers in the majors
These posts make me positive you haven’t watched Mondesi play. The elite level tools are unmistakeable. Dark horse mvp candidate this year is a stretch, but anyone who watches him play regularly will tell you that the Lindor comp is not out of the question. He has got to stay healthy and he has got to avoid the stretches where he swings at everything.
Mondesi is very streaky, he’ll be the best player on the field for 3 or 4 weeks and then he starts chasing and has an awful two or three weeks, but it all comes down to plate discipline.
That’s an assessment of talent.
he was always on the younger side at each minors level. above average production at a level while being the youngest guy there is not chopped liver.
If you’ve seen him play, you would know the talent is there. Health is the issue.