Making the Grade: Ranking Second Basemen in the AL Central

No. 4: Omar Infante, Kansas City Royals

Mar 11, 2015; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Omar Infante (14) swings at a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Royals second baseman Omar Infante saw a significant dip in production last season in his first season with the American League champions — and he has been on the shelf for most of the spring with an elbow injury.

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Injuries aside, Infante is entering his fourteenth season in the league. He is coming off what might be the worst offensive season of his career and has 25-year-old middle infielder Christian Colon itching to earn a spot.

While he is still penciled in as the Royals’ everyday second baseman, Infante may have a shorter leash this season. He hit just .252 with six home runs and 66 RBIs in 2014 and manager Ned Yost can surely get that type of production — or lack thereof — from Colon.

This all may be an overreaction to an off-year by the 33-year-old Venezuelan, though. It is certainly possible that he could return to the .300-plus hitter we saw with Detroit in 2013.

Or maybe Infante’s best seasons are behind him. I’m betting on the latter.

Next: No. 3