Kansas City Royals will look different next season
By John McCarty
Trades, free agency and development will greatly alter the opening day lineup of the 2019 Kansas City Royals lineup.
The 2018 season was expected to be somewhat tough for the Kansas City Royals. The season quickly descended into a version reminiscent of the pre-Dayton Moore era Royals and left many fans (myself included) questioning the very future of the organization.
What does next year look like and will it matter? Let’s take a look at what the starting positions could look like this time next year, or at least at the beginning of the season.
CATCHER – SALVADOR PEREZ
The Royals long-term would benefit greatly from trading Salvador Perez, their popular, but aging catcher, it likely doesn’t happen. He will return play out his contract in Kansas City.
Who is the catcher of the future?. light. Related Story
FIRST BASE – RYAN O’HEARN
Recent call up Ryan O’Hearn has already hit 11 home runs in just 119 at bats, and while he likely doesn’t catch Eric Hosmer‘s rookie numbers (17), it shows just how fortunate the Royals are the Padres signed the former first rounder.
O’Hearn has posted solid numbers during his short stint (.277/.381/1.037) and is making it difficult for the team to toss him to the side. He may not be the future, but can be the present.