Johnny Giavotella

Giavotella saw major league action for the fourth straight season in 2014, although it came a bit earlier than usual, as he was recalled to provide infield depth in May after second baseman Omar Infante hit the disabled list with back soreness. He was optioned back to Triple-A Omaha after Infante's return, where he slashed .308/.373/.440 with 61 RBI and 20 steals over 493 plate appearances. The right-handed second baseman returned to the Royals as a September callup, but didn't see much meaningful action during that time, collecting just three total at-bats on the month. He's been given several opportunities to earn a steady role with the club over the past few seasons, but has been unable to take advantage, and once again seems suited for an organizational depth role at the Triple-A level. After being traded to the Angels in December, Giavotella will look to breakthrough in Anaheim following the departure of Howie Kendrick.

Over the last two seasons, Giavotella has come into spring training to compete for the job and even walked in last year with the job being "his to lose," according to manager Ned Yost. Both times, Giavotella failed to take the reins, and while he's improved defensively, his work at the plate has been incredibly disappointing at the major league level. Three full years at Triple-A have shown that he is more than capable of successfully playing at that level, posting a solid average with strong on-base totals, but in three cups of coffee with the big club, Giavotella has scraped together a career slash line of .240/.278/.335 over 424 at-bats. With the addition of Omar Infante, the Royals will limit Giavotella to a reserve role, if he's not serving as organizational depth at Triple-A.

Giavotella flopped last spring when given the chance to earn the starting job at second base, and was sent down to open the season at Triple-A. He began the season quite well, batting .331 with an OBP that hovered around .360, and when the Royals needed to replace an injured Chris Getz in mid-May, Giavotella received the call. Unfortunately, he hit just .217 over 21 games and quickly found himself back in the minors. He was summoned again towards the tail-end of the season, but produced similarly unimpressive results. The Royals will likely give Giavotella another shot this spring and if he can translate some of his minor league success to the majors, he could be a strong asset, posting a decent average and mid-level pop. Until he can bring the same plate discipline to the majors as he enjoys down on the farm, he will be nothing more than a part-timer forever on the shuttle between Triple-A and the show.

A youth movement began in 2011 for the Royals and Giavotella was a part of it as he came up in early August to serve as the team's starting second baseman. He hit .247/.273/.376 with two home runs, 21 RBI, and five stolen bases over 187 plate appearances at the major league level. In the minors, he showed an ability to hit for average and get on base with limited power. At 24 years old, he should show more speed (26 stolen bases at High-A Wilmington in 2009) and get back to the plate discipline that made him successful in the minors. Now that the Royals appear to be done with Chris Getz as a starter, Giavotella could prove to be a helpful asset to owners in deeper leagues.