Just a couple of hours after the Royals were swept by the White Sox in embarrassing fashion, Kansas City's two hottest offensive prospects contributed to a blowout victory by the US over international prospects in the MLB Futures game in Anaheim Sunday night.
Eric Hosmer, the Royals' first round pick in 2007, earned his spot by posting a batting average of .349 in the season's first half with seven homers and 27 doubles for High-A Wilmington. He manned the DH spot on Sunday and cracked a game-high four hits and chipped in two RBI. He was one of just three players for the US to play the whole game.
Hosmer's most impressive hit came in the eighth inning off Mets prospect Jeurys Familia. Up 1-0 in the count, Hosmer turned on a pitch low and inside and powered it into the right-center gap, scoring center fielder Mike Trout.
Third baseman Mike Moustakas also started and played third base for the game's first five innings. While he failed to collect a hit, he flashed some leather at the hot corner with a trio of defensive assists. Fans shouldn't get too bogged down by his 0-3 night at the plate - he hit a white-hot .349 with a staggering 21 home runs in just 64 games in the first half for the AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals, leading the Texas League in both categories. Reports indicate that he'll be promoted to Omaha to start the second half, and if he continues his hot hitting with the O-Royals, don't be surprised to see him at Kauffman Stadium in September.
While much has been written about the lack of power at the organization's top level, help appears to be on the way as Hosmer and Moustakas rocket through the system.