Lance

Zawadzki

He also gets a spring training invite. Zawadzki, 26, batted .233/.288/.383 with eight home runs, 40 RBI and a .671 OPS over 352 plate appearances with Triple-A Omaha in the Royals’ organization this past season. The 2007 fourth-round pick hit .200 (7-for-35) in 20 games with the Padres in 2010.

It’s the third organization he’s been in this season, as Zawadski has batted .213/.254/.313 with three homers over 53 games at the Triple-A level for the Dodgers and Braves. He’ll provide middle infield depth at Triple-A Memphis following Ryan Jackson’s promotion.

Zawadski was cut loose by the Dodgers after going hitless in 15 plate appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque. He’ll give the Braves some minor league depth.

He also gets an invitation to spring training. Zawadzki, 27, batted .227/.262/.323 in 61 games at the Triple-A level this past season and hasn’t played in the big leagues since 2010 as a member of the Padres. He’s nothing more than minor league depth.

It took a great defensive play to keep the 27-year-old Zawadzki from going 3-for-3. As is, he was 2-for-3 with a double, giving him an early .600 average. Last year, he hit just .227/.262/.323 for three Triple-A teams, so let’s not read too much into the fast start. He was signed in December to provide minor league infield depth.

Zawadzki was 2-for-11 (.182) during his brief stay with the club. He’ll hope to improve upon his meager .162/.240/.176 batting lineup at Triple-A.

Zawadzki, 25 in May, was batting just .162/.240/.176 in 75 plate appearances at Triple-A, but the Padres were desperate for infield depth after the loss of Everth Cabrera. Zawadzki is unlikely to carry fantasy value.

Zawadzki went 7-for-35 (.200) in a few different stays with the Padres in 2010. The 25-year-old switch-hitter can play a variety of positions on the infield and could act as a utilityman for Kansas City sometime next year.

The Royals claimed Zawadzki off waivers from the Padres earlier this month but had to cut ties with him in order to clear a 40-man roster spot for new outfielder Melky Cabrera. Zawadzki, 25, went 7-for-35 (.200) in San Diego this past year and posted an ugly 596 OPS at the Triple-A level.

Zawadzki cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the club last week. The 25-year-old infielder was claimed off waivers from the Padres last month.