The Royals have tried him at third and left, but should he be back at second?
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The Royals were in desperate need of a leadoff hitter this year, so general manager J.J. Picollo swung a trade with the Reds to acquire Jonathan India – who was fifth in baseball in walks last year. India and his career .351 on-base percentage made a lot of sense as a table-setter for Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez.
But the trade also raised questions about where India would play on the field. Second base was the only position he had ever played at the professional level, a position the Royals already had an incumbent in Michael Massey. The Royals had India try the outfield in spring training and he was at third for Opening Day. He has started 24 games in the field this year – 14 at third base and 10 in left field – and none at second.
The results have been mixed. India has a .927 fielding percentage at third, one of the lowest for anyone with at least 100 innings. But he’s been around average in Outs Above Average (-1) and Defensive Runs Saved (+1). In left field he has the second-worst fielding percentage of any left-fielder and is -2 in Outs Above Average.
Meanwhile, Massey has been the least valuable qualified hitter in baseball through one month, according to fWAR. His wRC+ of 17 is one of the worst in baseball, and he has been surprisingly bad in Outs Above Average. Is it time for India to move back to second?
Have the position switches impacted India at the plate? He’s hitting just .216/.330/.268, while having to learn two new positions. Should he move back to his natural second base and focus on hitting?
Where would you have Jonathan India play on the field? Chime in with our Royals Reacts Survey – we’ll release results later this week!