David DeJesus has always been compared to Johnny Damon as K.C. is where both of their careers started but until this season it has not been a fair comparison. But this season DeJesus is making consistent hard contact as he is driving the ball often. He has played in 56 games this season and he is 65 for 214 (.304 avg, .815 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 7 homers, 33 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. The fact that he’s #2 on the Royals in RBIs this season tells you how bad the rest of the lineup has been (except Joe Guillen).

Outfielder Jose Guillen is taking the Royals’ offense on his shoulders. The amazing thing about that is that teams are still pitching to him even though no one else in the lineup is a huge threat with the bat. Guillen has now played in 64 games this season and he is 72 of 255 (.282 avg, .805 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 11 homers and 49 RBIs. Guillen might be a pain in the clubhouse from time to time but he was a great signing for the Royals who at least are spending the revenue sharing money they get from the other teams.

The Royals have signed Ryan Hollins, Ken Huckaby, John Foster and Ben Hendrickson to minor league contracts. Ryan Hollins is a 33 year old righty swinging outfielder that can handle all three outfield positions defensively. Hollins last played in the majors in 2006 with the Devil Rays. He has played in 256 games in his major league career and he is 172 for 712 (.242 avg, .701 OPS) with 85 runs scored, 28 homers, 86 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Ken Huckaby is a 36 year old righty swinging catcher. Huckaby last played in the majors in 2006 with the Boston Red Sox. He has now played in 161 games in his major league career and he is 95 for 427 (.222 avg, .537 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 3 homers and 31 RBIs. John Foster is a 29 year old lefty reliever who last pitched in the majors in 2005 with the Braves. Foster has now pitched in 90 games in his major league career and he is 7-2 with 1 save, a 4.90 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. Ben Hendrickson is a 26-year old right handed starting pitcher who last pitched in the majors in 2006 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Hendrickson has pitched in 14 games (12 starts) in his major league career and he is 1-10 with a 7.41 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP. Hollins and Foster are the most likely of this bunch to make the Royals Opening Day Roster.

Joey Gathright is absolutely on fire in August as he doesn’t ever want to go to the minor leagues again.  Gathright has played in 19 games this August and he is 26 for 64 (.406 avg, .879 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 6 RBIs and 4 stolen bases.  Gathright has now played in 44 games this season for the Royals and he is 49 for 137 (.358 avg, .814 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 15 RBIs and 9 stolen bases.

Joey Gathright and David DeJesus both had good halves for the Royals.  Actually, with Gathright it hasn’t been quite a half as he started the season in the minors….but he’s been good since he has got to KC.  Gathright is 22 for 67 (.328 avg) with 13 runs scored, 8 RBIs and 5 stolen bases this season.  If Gathright keeps hitting the baseball he will put pressure on opposing teams because of his speed.  DeJesus has been solid all season long as he is hitting .285 with 66 runs scored, 5 homers, 33 RBIs and 4 stolen bases.  DeJesus is a very important player for the Royals as he makes it all go at the top of their lineup.  Mark Teahan (.283, 5 HRs, 43 RBIs), Tony Pena (.281 avg), Esteban German (.279 avg) and Mark Grudzielanek (.278 avg) have all contributed to the Royals offense and they need them to all keep it up in the 2nd half.  John Buck might be only hitting .245 this season but he has scored 28 runs, whacked 15 homers and drove in 29 runs in only 192 atbats this season.  Look for Buck to play more in the 2nd half of the season with Jason LaRue struggling with the bat.