The call came on June 17, a franchise buried in the standings turning toward its future. The Royals summoned shortstop Adalberto Mondesi, the jewel of their farm system and the centerpiece of a renovation.
What’s resulted is this: A 23-year-old shortstop who did not play the first two-plus months of the season is the second most adept home-run hitter on the roster. He has provided an interruption to the frustrations of a 100-loss seasons.
One of his biggest came Saturday.
Mondesi barreled a three-run homer off Cleveland’s top reliever, the deciding blast in a 9-4 Royals victory in front of a crowd of 23,324 at Kauffman Stadium.