Matt Beaty is a professional baseball player who has been in the news recently for being reassigned to the minor-league side of Royals camp. Despite putting up impressive numbers at the plate during the Cactus League, Beaty was unable to secure a bench spot on the Kansas City Royals.
This blog post will explore the background of Beaty’s career, his pursuit of a spot on the Royals’ bench, his struggles in the major leagues in 2022, and what his reassignment to the minor leagues means for his future in baseball.
Background on Matt Beaty’s Career
Matt Beaty is a 28-year-old professional baseball player who was born on April 28, 1993, in Snellville, Georgia. Beaty played college baseball at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was a standout player.
He was drafted in the 12th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and began his professional career in the minor leagues.
In the minor leagues, Beaty was a consistent performer, hitting for a high average and showing good power. He spent four seasons in the Dodgers’ minor league system, reaching as high as Triple-A in 2018.
During his time in the minors, Beaty had a career batting average of .306 with 40 home runs and 202 RBI in 388 games.
Beaty made his major league debut with the Dodgers on April 30, 2019. He hit his first major league home run on May 3, 2019, against the San Diego Padres.
In his rookie season, Beaty played in 99 games, hitting .265 with nine home runs and 46 RBI. He played mostly first base and left field for the Dodgers.
In 2020, Beaty played in 21 games for the Dodgers, hitting .220 with three home runs and 10 RBI. He was part of the team that won the World Series that year, although he did not play a significant role in the playoffs.
In 2021, Beaty played in 52 games for the Dodgers, hitting .264 with four home runs and 30 RBI. He played mostly as a pinch hitter and a backup first baseman and outfielder.
Despite his solid performance, the Dodgers did not include him on their playoff roster, and he did not play in the postseason.
Notable achievements in Beaty’s career include being named a mid-season All-Star in the Texas League in 2017 and a post-season All-Star in the Pacific Coast League in 2018.
One of his biggest struggles has been finding consistent playing time at the major league level, as he has mostly been used as a bench player throughout his career.
Beaty’s Pursuit of a Bench Spot on the Kansas City Royals
In the lead up to the 2023 Major League Baseball season, Matt Beaty was in the running to secure a bench spot on the Kansas City Royals.
In baseball, a bench player is someone who is not a regular starter but is available to come off the bench and pinch-hit, play defense, or run the bases as needed. Bench players are important because they provide depth and flexibility to the team’s roster.
During spring training, Beaty put up impressive numbers at the plate, hitting .342 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 24 games.
He also showed versatility, playing both first base and outfield during the exhibition games. Despite his strong performance, the Royals ultimately decided not to include him on their opening day roster.
There are several reasons why Beaty may have lost out on the bench spot. One possibility is that the Royals already had enough depth in the outfield and first base positions, where Beaty is most comfortable playing.
Another possibility is that the team was looking for someone with more speed and defensive versatility. Beaty has not been known for his speed or defensive prowess throughout his career, which may have hurt his chances of making the team.
It’s also worth noting that spring training performance doesn’t always translate to success during the regular season. The Royals may have been looking for someone with a more consistent track record of success at the major league level.
Beaty’s struggles during his limited playing time with the Padres in 2022 may have also been a factor in the team’s decision not to include him on the opening day roster.
Despite not making the Royals’ opening day roster, Beaty will continue to work towards his goal of playing in the major leagues.
He will begin the season on the minor-league side of Royals camp, where he will have the opportunity to continue honing his skills and making improvements to his game.
Beaty’s Struggles in the Major Leagues in 2022
Matt Beaty’s struggles in the major leagues in 2022 may have played a role in the Kansas City Royals’ decision to reassign him to the minor leagues. In 20 games with the San Diego Padres, Beaty had a batting average of just .093, going 4-for-43 with no home runs and two RBI.
He struggled to find his rhythm at the plate and was not able to produce the type of offensive numbers that he had shown in the minor leagues.
Beaty’s struggles in 2022 were a departure from his previous performance in the major leagues. In his first two seasons with the Dodgers, he had a combined batting average of .262 with 12 home runs and 56 RBI in 120 games.
However, 2022 was a different story, as he struggled to make consistent contact with the ball and hit for power.
Beaty’s struggles in 2022 may have influenced the Royals’ decision to reassign him to the minor leagues, as they may want him to work on his hitting and regain his confidence at the plate.
While spring training performance is important, it’s ultimately the regular season performance that determines a player’s value to the team.
Beaty’s struggles in the major leagues in 2022 likely raised concerns about his ability to perform at that level, and the Royals may want to give him more time to work on his game in the minor leagues before calling him back up to the majors.
It’s important to note that struggling in the major leagues is not uncommon for young players, and Beaty has shown that he has the potential to be a productive player at that level.
With some adjustments and more experience, he could find his footing and become a valuable asset to the Royals in the future.
What Beaty’s Reassignment Means for His Future
Being reassigned to the minor-league side of camp means that Matt Beaty will start the 2023 season in the minor leagues rather than on the opening day roster for the Kansas City Royals.
This is not uncommon for young players or players who are struggling to find their footing in the major leagues. It gives Beaty the opportunity to continue working on his skills and improving his game in a less pressurized environment.
To work his way back up to the major leagues, Beaty will need to demonstrate consistent success at the minor league level. He will need to work on his hitting, particularly his ability to make contact with the ball and hit for power.
He will also need to continue to show versatility in the field, as the ability to play multiple positions is highly valued in the major leagues.
Additionally, Beaty will need to demonstrate a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn and make adjustments to his game.
He will need to take advantage of the coaching and resources available to him in the minor leagues and work closely with his coaches to address any weaknesses in his game.
Finally, Beaty will need to be patient and persistent. Making it to the major leagues is a difficult and competitive journey, and it often takes time for young players to establish themselves at that level.
However, if Beaty is able to work hard, make improvements, and show consistent success in the minor leagues, he will give himself the best chance of making it back to the major leagues and becoming a productive player at that level.
Matt Beaty’s 2022 Major League Statistics
| Statistic | Games Played | Plate Appearances | Hits | Batting Average | Home Runs | Runs Batted In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Beaty | 20 | 46 | 4 | .093 | 0 | 1 |
This table provides a snapshot of Matt Beaty’s statistics during his 20 games with the San Diego Padres in 2022. The table includes his games played, plate appearances, hits, batting average, home runs, and runs batted in.
FAQs
Was Matt Beaty surprised by the reassignment to the minor leagues?
It’s unclear whether Beaty was surprised by the decision, but he likely understood that his performance in the major leagues in 2022 was not up to par and that he would need to continue working on his game to establish himself at that level.
What specific skills does Beaty need to work on to make it back to the major leagues?
Beaty will need to work on his hitting, particularly his ability to make consistent contact with the ball and hit for power. He will also need to continue to show versatility in the field and demonstrate a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn and make adjustments to his game.
How long might Beaty need to stay in the minor leagues before he can make it back to the major leagues?
This is difficult to predict, as it depends on a variety of factors, including Beaty’s performance in the minor leagues, the team’s needs at his position, and the overall competitiveness of the major league roster. However, if Beaty is able to show consistent success and improvements in the minor leagues, he could potentially be called back up to the major leagues at some point during the 2023 season.
What are the chances that Beaty will be able to establish himself as a major league player?
This is also difficult to predict, as it depends on a variety of factors, including Beaty’s ability to make improvements, the team’s needs at his position, and the overall competitiveness of the major league roster. However, Beaty has shown in the past that he has the potential to be a productive player at the major league level, and with hard work and persistence, he could potentially establish himself as a valuable asset for the Royals or another team in the future.
Conclusion
Matt Beaty’s reassignment to the minor-league side of the Kansas City Royals’ camp is a setback in his pursuit of a consistent role in the major leagues.
Despite his impressive performance during spring training, his struggles during his 20 games with the San Diego Padres in 2022 likely played a role in the decision to reassign him.
However, this reassignment is not necessarily the end of Beaty’s major league aspirations. He has shown in the past that he has the potential to be a productive player at that level, and he now has the opportunity to work on his skills and regain his confidence in the minor leagues.
If he is able to make the necessary adjustments and demonstrate consistent success, he could work his way back up to the major leagues and become a valuable asset for the Kansas City Royals or another team in the future.
