Royals manager: Terrance Gore a 'necessity' for World Series roster

Though Terrance Gore boasts just 16 games of experience in the major leagues, the 23-year-old speedster is a "necessity" on the Kansas City Royals' World Series roster, manager Ned Yost told USA Today's Ted Berg.

“He brings an element with him — even sitting on the bench — I think opposing managers look at him as a bit of a gamechanger,” Yost said. “Even Baltimore, as good as they were at containing the running game — every time we put Gore in the game, we couldn’t run. We couldn’t run because they were so quick to the plate, and their catchers were so quick to second base. But as soon as he got into the game, the pitchers took focus off of getting the hitter out and were focusing on him. That’s what you want."

Selected in the 20th round of the 2011 draft, Gore opened the campaign at High-A Wilmington, where he hit just .218/.284/.258 through 89 games. His 47 stolen bases, however, compelled the Royals to promote him to Triple-A Omaha in August before eventually adding him to the major-league roster.

Gore appeared in just 11 games over the final few weeks of the regular season, but has proven an invaluable resource throughout Kansas City's magical postseason run. A nuisance on the basepaths, Gore has already swiped three bags this postseason and will be expected to pinch-run throughout the World Series.

“Just having him at first base, with the thought that hey, he may run, and the focus they have to put on him, takes away from the focus on the plate," Yost added. "You start elevating pitches, you start getting pitches to hit. He’s a big advantage, having him on this bench.”

Gore, incidentally, hasn't found it all that difficult to steal bases in the major leagues, where data and video of opposing pitchers are readily available.

“It’s a lot easier now, because we have film on the pitchers,” Gore said. “In the minor leagues, you don’t really have that. Here, (first base coach) Rusty (Kuntz) has got every pitcher down pat, and I’m loving every minute of it. It makes my job so much easier.

“I could beat Usain Bolt around the bases by far,” Gore said. “He’s never ran bases in his life. If we ran a 100-meter, he’d probably smoke me, because that’s what he’s been doing the longest. But taking him out of his environment, I’m pretty sure I could take him.”