Royals Prospect Mike Moustakas Goes Hitless In AAA Debut

The Royals this week promoted Mike Moustakas from AA to AAA. He was tearing up the Texas League leading in RBIs and homers. The AA NW Arkansas Naturals GM called Moustakas the best hitter he's had in 10 years in the minor leagues.

So, yeah, he was doing pretty well.

Moore promoted him to AAA and in his first game….

0-4.

The Omaha Royals won, though, beating Nashville 3-1. Moustakas will have plenty of time to get in a rhythm in his new league. GM Dayton Moore suggested he wouldn't be moved up to the big leagues when the rosters are expanded in September.

Royals GM Dayton Moore Suggests Mike Moustakas Won't Be A September Call Up

After hearing the news that the Royals had promoted third baseman Mike Moustakas from AA to AAA, I wondered if he would be making a move to Kansas City when the rosters expand in September.

Apparently not, according to Royals GM Dayton Moore.

“I wouldn’t put limitations on any player,” Moore said, “but (a September callup) isn’t something we’ve considered. There’s a big difference between Double A and Triple A, and there’s an even bigger difference between Triple A and the major leagues.”

The Royals likely won't be chasing a pennant at that point and they're hoping Moustakas can be ready on opening day 2011 so why not give him a month in the big leagues? Maybe they don't want to stunt him but I think a September tryout makes sense.

Royals GM Dayton Moore On Promoting Mike Moustakas: 'Just Look At The Numbers'

Even with two and a half weeks out of the lineup, Mike Moustakas was leading AA in RBIs and homers. To put it simply, he dominated the competition.

That's why it wasn't a huge surprise to hear this week that the Royals had promoted him to AAA.

Royals GM Dayton Moore explained the move recently.

“Just look at his numbers,” Moore said. “He’s performed very well and our staff and scouts and development people (agree).

“Customarily, when players do that, they move up. “It was the right time to get him up there.”

By promoting him now, Moore gives Moustakas a half-season of time in AAA. The move was likely done to get him enough competition to see if he's ready for the big leagues at the start of 2011.

Royals AA GM Calls Mike Moustakas Best Hitter In 10 Years In Minor Leagues

Anyone wondering what the AA NW Arkansas Naturals thought of Mike Moustakas, who was promoted from AA to AAA Omaha on Wednesday?

Here's what NW Arkansas Naturals GM Eric Edelstein said after the news that Moustakas was called up:

As Mike Moustakas departs for AAA, I can say he was the best hitter I've had on my team in 10 years of minor league baseball.

Quite the compliment. Moustakas was tearing it up leading the league in several major offensive categories.

Royals Prospect Mike Moustakas Promoted To AAA Omaha

Goodbye, NW Arkansas Naturals and hello Omaha!

Royals third base prospect Mike Moustakas has officially been promoted from AA NW Arkansas to AAA Omaha, according to the the Royals' AA affiliate.

Moustakas had been tearing it up recently and his call-up was something we knew was coming somewhat soon. Reports last week suggested he had been promoted but those were denied. Part of the confusion came from his name briefly being removed from the AA roster, apparently a mistake.

Moustakas' name has been in the news recently because he and Eric Hosmer played well in the MLB Futures Game this week.

Moustakas is hitting .355 with .417 on-base and .705 slugging percentages for Class AA Northwest Arkansas. Moustakas has 25 doubles and leads the league with 21 homers and 76 RBIs in 64 games.

This means nothing, of course, but the last big-leaguer to match rate stats over a full season was Barry Bonds in 2004. Before the Steroid Era, it was done by only seven players, all of them Hall of Famers.

Recently Royals director of scouting and player development J.J. Picollo hinted at someone being called up soon.

"I’d be lying if I said I’m not counting on a couple (to be ready next season)," says J.J. Picollo, scouting and player development director. "I don’t know which ones. But we need a couple of these guys to be ready."

This move would suggest that by 2011, Moustakas is expected to be one of those guys.

This helps clear the way for Moustakas to be the Royals starting third baseman in 2011. Add in Christian Colon, who is expected to potentially be available in Kansas City in 2011, and the Royals could have a significantly different look.

Here are his career stats.

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