An Inauspicious, Yet Auspicious, Beginning … Royals’ Rookie Makes History

NCA_2921The Kansas City Royals called on rookie Raul Adalberto Mondesi to pinch hit for reliever Danny Duffy in the fifth inning of last night’s 9-3 loss to the Mets. The 20-year-old Mondesi went down swinging and, in the process, became a trivia star.  It was not only Mondesi’s first World Series’ appearance, it was his first major league appearance – making him the first player ever to make his major league debut in the modern version of the World Series.  Mondesi was added to the Royals’ World Series roster on the basis of his versatility (a middle infielder who can also play outfield) and speed (19 stolen bases in 81 games at Double A in 2015) – attributes that could be assets, particularly when playing under NL rules (no-DH) in New York.

For “deep trivia” buffs, Mondesi replaced outfielder Terrance Gore on the post-season roster and pitcher Joba Chamberlain was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.  

While Mondesi has never played above Double A, he was rated the Royals’ number-one prospect and MLB’s 33rd-best prospect by MLBPipleine.com.  In 2015, he hit .243 with six home runs and 33 RBI at Northwest Arkansas. He also had 11 doubles, five triples and 19 stolen bases. In four minor league seasons (366 games), Mondesi has hit .246, with 24 home runs and 143 RBI. He’s also collected 26 triples and 71 stolen bases (in 93 attempts).  Mondesi was signed by the Royals, at the age of 16 (for $2 million) and made his minor league debut (as a 16-year-old) with Rookie League  Idaho Falls – where he hit .290, with three home runs, 30 RBI and 11 steals (in 13 attempts) in 50 games.

Mondesi comes by his prospect status naturally.  He is the son of former MLB outfielder Raul Roman Mondesi, who played 13 MLB seasons for the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Yankees, Diamondbacks, Pirates, Angels and Braves. The elder Mondesi was the 1994 NL Rookie of the Year, an All Star in 1995 and a Gold Glover in 1995 and 1997. Mondesi’s best year was 1997, when he had a 30-30 season – hitting .310 with 30 home runs, 32 stolen bases and 87 RBI for the Dodgers. He retired in 2005 with a .273 average, 271 home runs, 960 RBI and 229 stolen bases. The elder Mondesi, however, never played in a World Series. Another of Mondesi’s sons – Raul Ramon Mondesi, Jr. –  (Raul Adalberto’s older brother) played minor league ball in the Rays and Brewers systems.

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