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KC Royals: Five players to watch in third series vs Cleveland Indians

By Leigh Oleszczak

May 31, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) is congratulated by first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) after scoring against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) is congratulated by first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) after scoring against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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KC Royals right fielder Jorge Bonifacio (38) – Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
KC Royals right fielder Jorge Bonifacio (38) – Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

The KC Royals will turn right around and square off against the Cleveland Indians again. The Royals just took two out of three from the Tribe last weekend in Cleveland. Can they do the same, but at Kauffman Stadium this time?

Last year the Cleveland Indians owned the Kansas City Royals. The Royals only managed to beat them five times in all of 2016. The Indians went on to win the American League Central, won the pennant, and then lost in Game 7 of the World Series to the Chicago Cubs.

Most baseball pundits predicted Cleveland to run away with the AL Central this season, but the division, as a whole, has been mediocre all season long. The Royals, despite not playing well, are still very much in the divisional race, which could be why Dayton Moore doesn’t want to sell off pieces just yet.

The third Royals/Indians series of the 2017 season will take place at the K this weekend and there are definitely some Royals to keep an eye on. Just who are they? Let’s find out.

JORGE BONIFACIO

Jorge Bonifacio continues to impress during his rookie campaign. He’s slashing .273/.325/.500 in 34 games and 110 at bats. Bonifacio has been so good that he’s actually taking playing time away from Jorge Soler, who the Royals gave up beloved Wade Davis for.

Soler hasn’t been as good, but the Royals clearly have a lot invested in him. That speaks to just how good Bonifacio has been so far into his young career. Bonny will be celebrating his 24th birthday on Sunday and it’d be tough to imagine him not going yard at some point during this series.

In a season where it’s been one disappointment after another, Jorge Bonifacio has been a bright shining glimmer of hope.

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