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Young gun Mondesi lands starting 2B job for Royals

Matt Kartozian / USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost is putting his faith in Raul Mondesi.

The skipper named the 21-year-old his starting second baseman on Monday, beating out Whit Merrifield and Christian Colon, according to Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star.

Mondesi, a five-tool prospect, made his major-league debut in Game 3 of the 2015 World Series, striking out in his only at-bat. He hit .185/.231/.281 last season with the Royals with two home runs and nine stolen bases in 47 games, striking out 48 times.

Despite his struggles, Mondesi arrived at camp with the job to win and did so with a torrid spring. He slashed .378/.391/.622 with three home runs and 12 strikeouts in 19 games.

Yost added that Merrifield and Colon will compete for one of the Royals' bench spots. Merrifield still has minor-league options left, while Colon does not.

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