Eric Hosmer Promoted by the Royals: The Positives

Super prospect Eric Hosmer has been promoted by the Royals. We've discussed the negatives associated with this call up in some detail. However, there are undoubtedly positives here as well. This is a momentous transaction, or, at least, it could be. Hosmer's debut is a big deal for this franchise and a big deal for Dayton Moore. The serious evaluation of the hyped system, at the only level that matters, has truly begun.

Regarding the individual player, we can say that The Potentially Great Career of Eric Hosmer Has Started. Hosmer has the scouting pedigree, having impressed those all knowing adepts since he was in high school. Importantly, Hosmer has also produced. He's converted the tools into actual performance. Last year, Hosmer hit .354/.422/.545 at High A. Then he hit .313/.365/.615 in AA. And now, in his short time in Omaha, he's hit .439/.525/.582. (Yes, at this time a year ago, he was in A-ball.) It will be fascinating to see how Hosmer plays.

This is, essentially, our wedding night with Eric Hosmer. A new life is starting, all anticipation and hope. He has never failed at the Major League level yet. Anything is possible. In some sense, it will never be better than this. He might be a Hall of Famer! And after years of waiting, he's here. To paraphrase the legendary scout Art Stewart, this actually is probably a day we will remember.

However, Hosmer's arrival is also an important moment in the history of the franchise. Since, oh, about mid-season last year, the buzz and hype and excitement surrounding the Royals farm system has grown almost hourly. Yes, it is fun to talk about these guys as they progress through the minors, but with Hosmer's promotion Dayton Moore's Hyped Youth Movement is Truly Beginning. Although it isn't actually the case, it now feels like we've spent years waiting for these guys, debating their merits and debating if a good farm system is enough.

As I wrote yesterday, minor promotions like Tim Collins or Aaron Crow have been interesting, but these are basically appetizers. One of the most hyped prospect groups of the last twenty five years is now making it's way to Kansas City. The transformation of the Royals has begun. We don't know how this will turn out, and as Royals fans, we haven't been able to say that in a long time.