Berroa Could Lose Job As Royals' Shortstop

Angel Berroa has gone from 2003 AL Rookie of the Year to possibly losing his job as the Kansas City Royals' starting shortstop. After the Royals defeated the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, manager Buddy Bell worked with Berroa in the batting cages. Giants left-hander Barry Zito struck out Berroa twice -- giving Berroa 12 strikeouts in 26 at-bats during spring training with no walks. Bell said Berroa will be competing for the starting job with Alex Gonzalez, who has started for the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs, and prospect Andres Blanco.

"It is open," Bell said. "We still want Angel to be the shortstop. We still expect him to be the shortstop, but that could change in the next couple of days. He has to play better. He knows that. He wants to play better. Angel is still ahead. That is a decision that more than likely will go down to the end."

Berroa hit .287 with 17 homers, 92 runs and 21 steals as a rookie. In 2006, Berroa faded to .234 with nine homers, 68 runs and three stolen bases in four attempts. He grounded into 21 double plays and his .190 road batting average was the worst in the AL.
Source: AP