Goodwin focused on preparation, not stats

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Royals outfielder Brian Goodwin knows the numbers aren’t good right now.

And Goodwin also knows numbers during Spring Training mean nothing, especially for a veteran such as himself.

Goodwin, who went 0-for-2 in Monday night's 6-2 split-squad loss to the Rangers, has just one hit in 21 at-bats, and that was an infield hit.

But Goodwin, who is out of options, isn’t exactly fighting for a roster spot. He would appear to be in line to see regular playing time at the start of the season as either the right fielder or the DH. Jorge Bonifacio and Brett Phillips, who are trying to sneak onto the 25-man roster, both have options.

Goodwin, 28, gives manager Ned Yost a left-handed bat and above-average defense.

Right now, Goodwin’s offense isn’t anywhere near where he wants it, or where he thinks it will be come the regular season. He has spent much of camp sifting through adjustments.

“Got a lot of new coaches this spring, compared to my last few springs,” he said. “I’m with [hitting coach] Terry [Bradshaw] for the first spring, and you got George Brett here, you got the guy who won the [hits] title last year [in Whit Merrifield]. I’m just kind of picking everyone’s brain to try to get anything I can to use. You try to use that information in Spring Training because the stats don’t count.

“I will take my time trying to apply what works and what doesn’t. It’s just fine-tuning what works for me. Eventually I’ll find out what I can do to perform. Down here, it’s just about getting ABs and getting ready for the regular season.”

The shaky start offensively is a result of experimenting with his swing, Goodwin said.

“You can’t simulate game speed in [the cages], so you try to apply everything in the games,” he said. “You try something and see if you like it, then you stay with it.”

It’s getting to the point now, however, with less than two weeks left in camp, that Goodwin knows he’ll settle in with his hitting mechanics and plate approach, thus ending the experimentation.

“Yeah, it’s getting to the time now,” he said. “It’s getting later in camp. Now is around the time you kind of figure out what you’ll stick with.”

Soler stays hot

Jorge Soler had an RBI double and hit back-to-back homers with Alex Gordon in the Royals' 5-1 split-squad win over the Mariners on Monday night in Peoria. Soler has three homers and nine RBIs this spring.

Staumont, Greene optioned

The Royals on Monday optioned right-handers Josh Staumont and Connor Greene to Triple-A Omaha. The Royals now have 58 players in Major League camp, and that number includes catcher Salvador Perez and right-hander Jesse Hahn, both of whom are on the 60-day injured list, and left-hander Eric Skoglund, who is on the restricted list.

Up next

The Royals will take on the White Sox on Tuesday at 3:05 p.m. CT at Surprise Stadium. Scheduled to pitch are right-handers Brad Keller, Kevin McCarthy, Drew Storen and Glenn Sparkman and left-hander Tim Hill.