Dozier, Starling hear their numbers called

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Two of the Royals' recent first-round picks in the First-Year Player Draft saw their first Cactus League action late in Friday's 9-3 split-squad loss to the Reds.

Third baseman Hunter Dozier, last year's selection, and outfielder Bubba Starling, the top pick in 2011, each played the final three innings. With Major League players divided between games against the Reds and Angels, the lineups were augmented by an infusion of players from the Minor League camp.

Dozier went hitless in two at-bats and Starling was 0-for-1, but they were just happy with the exposure.

"It was a great time, a great experience," Dozier said.

"All of us Minor Leaguers are working here to get better and hopefully soon someday we'll be out here with all the other guys," Starling said. "We'll keep working. It's fun playing with all these big leaguers."