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Kansas City Royals: Projecting 2017 Opening Day Lineup

Mar 7, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals walk to the dugout prior to facing the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals walk to the dugout prior to facing the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 17, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jorge Soler at bat during the game against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Jorge Soler at bat during the game against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Batting Sixth: Jorge Soler

Jorge Soler is the other masher the Kansas City Royals added this season, and while putting two hitters back to back that swing and miss a lot, and I mean A LOT, doesn’t make sense to a lot of people, it offers another layer of protection to Hosmer and even to Moss himself.

Jorge Soler has big shoes to fill in Kansas City as he was acquired at the expense of fan-favorite and shut down reliever Wade Davis. With Wade Davis coming off an injury filled 2016 season and only having one year of control remaining, it could wind up being a great move for the Royals.

This guy has unreal power and he’s sure to wow fans.

Soler hit 12 home runs last season in a part-time role with the Cubs. It was a career high for him and he only had 264 plate appearances.

His overall slash line of .238/.333/.436 scares people, but his combo of on-base ability and power make him a very dangerous hitter. He’s also very young and could still gain better plate patience.

He also owns a slash line of .344/.488/.781 in 41 career postseason plate appearances that include three home runs and seven total extra base hits. He could be a very welcome addition if the Royals are able to return to the postseason again in 2016.

This guy has unreal power and he’s sure to wow fans. He’s an all-star caliber young player with control and could be one of the cornerstones of success for the next wave of Royals’ players.