SURPRISE, Ariz. — Ryan Shealy’s favorite thing about Kansas City is its location — about 500 miles away from Todd Helton.

It’s nothing personal. The All-star first baseman of the Colorado Rockies is a good friend and Shealy’s mentor, as well as a career .333 hitter and the Rockies’ greatest player. Helton even took Shealy out to dinner when the Rockies and Royals played recently.

But as long as Shealy and Helton were in Colorado at the same time, Shealy was never going to play more than a few games.

“Every year I was in Colorado,Celtic shirt, I took something away from playing next to him,” Shealy said. “But at the same time,Sevilla shirt, it was frustrating.”

So Shealy was elated when the Royals and Rockies worked out a four-player trade last summer that sent him to Kansas City, giving him an opportunity.

In response, he hit .280 in 51 games and provided better defense at his position than the Royals have had in more than a decade.

Just 27, he’s been one of the most consistent hitters this spring.

“As a player, all you can ask for is an opportunity,Lyon shirt,” Shealy said. “And the Royals gave me an opportunity last year by trading for me.

“I feel good. My body feels good. I’ve been comfortable here with the guys in this clubhouse. I was real fortunate to come here and play the last two months of last season. The staff and the guys have been great, very welcoming. I’m very excited.”

The Royals are excited to have him. Mike Sweeney, perhaps the best right-handed hitter in Kansas City history, tried his best to play first base but finally proved he’s destined to be a designated hitter. The Royals’ need for a solid defensive first baseman who also supplies some power went unanswered until the deal was worked out with Colorado.

“He showed us a lot last year, that he has a knack for driving in runs. He really understands how to hit, and he plays so very well at first base,” said manager Buddy Bell.

“When people talk about our young team, Shealy’s name doesn’t come up as much as it should. He’s a guy we’re counting on for a long time.”

Shealy had 10 doubles, a triple and seven home runs in his first extended big league action last tear. One of the things the Royals like best is that he does not try to hit a five-run home run every at-bat.

“He just has a knack for understanding the situation and what he needs to do. He doesn’t overswing,” Bell said. “Usually big guys like that have a tendency to overswing.”

It’s not that he can’t hit the long ball. His best power season in four-plus years in the minor leagues was a league-leading 29 home runs for Tulsa in 2004, when he also led the league with 99 RBIs.

But not swinging for the fences every at-bat may be one of his best traits.

“I try to pride myself on being able to do whatever the situation calls for,” Shealy said. “If that means shortening up and just a getting a single to drive in a run, so be it. If it means hitting the ball out of the park, so be it. Whatever the situation calls for,Inter Milan shirt, I want to be able to do it.”

In the meantime, the Royals got good news Sunday on the injury front. Third baseman Alex Gordon’s sore shoulder was much improved and he told Bell he was ready to go after sitting out a few games. And right-hander Brian Bannister seemed to have no ill-effects after taking a shot to the back of his left knee during a “B” game against the Texas Rangers.