35 Eric Hosmer, 1B

A look at Eric Hosmer's batted-ball stats gives a pretty good indication why he has only one home run so far, and the good news is it's not because of diminished skills. He's simply not getting any elevation on the ball. His fly-ball rate of 19.5 percent is the third-lowest in all of baseball, behind only slap-it-and-run types Everth Cabrera and Elvis Andrus.

Of course, a relatively low fly-ball rate wouldn't be the worst thing for Hosmer's batting average, but this one is clearly doing him more harm than good.

That's not to say the Royals first baseman trying to hit the ball on the ground, but as often as he's doing it, I can't help but think his mechanics are off. In other words, his problem is correctable. It's just a matter of correcting it.

Practically speaking, none of this does any good for Hosmer owners at the moment, but if his back-to-back multi-hit games lead to a full-fledged hot streak, don't hesitate to buy into him again.

Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer had his first double in 16 May games Sunday against the Athletics. He was 2 of 4 for his fourth multi-hit game this month.

Hosmer is batting .254 (16 for 63) with a double, triple, home run, four RBI, six walks and seven runs in May.

Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer has struggled to get going as the team's primary cleanup hitter, so manager Ned Yost decided to move him back to the fifth spot in the lineup Thursday against the Orioles.

Hosmer responded, slugging his first home run of the season in his 26th start. Hosmer's shot was a two-run shot to left center in the fourth inning, the team's second of the frame. Hosmer finished the game 2 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored in a 6-2 win.

Hosmer has started just 19 games out of the fifth spot in the lineup in his career, but has been productive there. He entered Thursday with a .290 batting average and .900 on-base plus slugging percentage batting behind the cleanup hitter. 

Royals manager Ned Yost is considering changes to his current lineup and believes two players could have vastly different roles in the future, the Kansas City Star reports Wednesday. 

While Eric Hosmer has spent a lot of time cleaning up for the Royals this year and Mike Moustakas has been lower in the order, Yost has higher hopes for both down the line when they are finally ready. 

"I still believe when it all is said and done that (Eric) Hosmer is going to be a three hitter," Yost said, "and that Moose (Moustakas) is going to be a four or five hitter. It just takes time in the big leagues to get yourself established. You’re still projecting younger players who you think are going to be really productive -- Sal (Perez), Moose, Hos and Cain. It just takes time."

Hosmer is heating up in May and already has seven hits in the month over five games to raise his average to .269 with nine RBI. He's yet to homer. Moustakas has been slow to hit all season with an average below the Mendoza line.