Johnny Giavotella was expected to compete for the starting second baseman job and the No. 2 hitter position for the Kansas City Royals, but after a poor spring training he is being sent down to triple-A. After 44 at-bats in spring training Giavotella hit .250/.267/.318 and with that stat line was removed from consideration for the starting job.
This is Giavotella's third attempt at trying the nail down a roster spot, and has nothing much left to prove since last year he hit .338/.390/.481 in 2011. His offense is there at least at the minor league level, but his glove is a liability at the major league level and is something else that could keep his future in doubt with the Royals.
With Giavotella out of the picture, the second base position will be a platoon between Chris Getz and Yuniesky Betancourt.
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