Whether he wants to admit it or not, Joey Gathright is playing small ball. Of the 6 games that he played in so far this spring, and his 12 at bats, he already has 6 stolen bases. I am sure that Hillman is happy to see this stat coming from a player who averages participating in a little less than half of the regular season games annually. Again, Hillman’s emphasis this season is going to concentrate on OBP (On Base Percentage). This leaves the responsibililty of bringing the runner home to smart base running, and fundamental baseball. If the lead off hitter can get on base, and then steal second and/or third, you are sitting in a very good place of allowing smart baseball players to bring him home. At that point in the inning, with a man or two on, you need the discipline at the plate to know that individual accomplishments go out the window when you could potentially be putting the game out of reach in the late innings, just by possibly bunting the runner across, or sacrifice flying a runner home.
Gathright is setting an excellent example of what Trey Hillman wants this year from his players. It is aggressive, smart base running, coupled with discipline at the plate, and the overall desire to win the game, by any means possible. Even if that means sacrificing individual marks for the better of the team. The Royals will find out quickly that manufacturing runs and keeping their opponents on their toes in the infield will go a long way this season toward their goal of turning this franchise around, and becoming a contender in the increasingly competitive American League Central.
Hopefully Joey’s passion for success, and his hard, aggressive base running, will rub off on his teammates, and translate into some much needed “W”ins for the ball club. Who knows, we may see more of Joey Gaithright. With 6 steals in as many games, I would think that he has proven himself on the base paths, now if we could spark that bat.