Aaron Guiel

After losing out on a major league job in the spring to Emil Brown, Guiel professionally went about his business and tore up Triple-A. Given a chance to become a minor league free agent, Guiel stayed with the Royals when he was given assurances by GM Allard Baird that he was still in their plans. Guiel finally made it back to Kansas City in late August and blistered the ball. Hitting mostly in the leadoff spot, Guiel showed patience at the plate and the ability to get on base. The Royals will do their best to fill their outfield spots with other names, but Guiel has shown once again that he is capable of being a full-time player. The biggest knock on him is he is 33.

Even the hardest of hearts would soften hearing the story of Aaron Guiel. A career minor-leaguer who nearly gave up in 2000, he finally earned a major-league shot with Kansas City and put together a nice year in 2003, hitting .277 with 30 doubles and playing gritty defense. He entered camp in 2004 with a starting job in left field only to lose it due to blurred vision. Two laser eye surgeries later, Guiel’s future is in serious doubt. He hit .310 with 10 home runs in 116 at-bats in Omaha, all with blurred vision, but needs a strong spring to get back into the Royals' plans.

Guiel, a career minor-leaguer, grabbed the right-field job midseason in 2003 and didn't let go. The buff but quick outfielder offered some decent power and an infectious hustle. He's not great in the leadoff spot with his low walk totals, but he hit .310 at the top of the order.

The ten-year minor-leaguer showed a lot of moxie when he earned his first callup, hitting .467 in his first eight starts. The league figured him out, and then he made some adjustments. He's now 30, so his value to the Royals' youth movement is limited. But, he's cheap, can get a seriously hot bat and takes a lot of pitches.