Kansas City Royals: New Year’s Resolutions for 2019

KANSAS CITY ROYALS NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

NUMBER 2 – GIVE PROSPECTS AMPLE PLAYING TIME

A frustrating part of last season was Ned Yost‘s infatuation with continuing to put Alcides Escobar in the lineup. We all knew the Royals weren’t going anywhere and Escobar likely wasn’t re-signing after 2018, so why not give the young prospects an opportunity to show their worth?

That has to be a key part of this 2019 season for Yost and the front office. Play the young guys, even if they’re struggling.

Adalberto Mondesi looked awful during his first few seasons in the big leagues, but he showed that taking his lumps paid off with a season in which he hit .276 with 14 home runs and stole 32 bases.

Mondesi is just 23 years old, but is one of the youngest guys on the team still. If the Royals decide to give Nicky Lopez a chance to prove himself this season, then do it and let him get some important playing time. Put Merrifield in the outfield that day and have Lopez play second base.

This will be a key year for Ryan O’Hearn and Hunter Dozier too. O’Hearn came out of nowhere last year, but did all right in year one. He needs to continue getting chances to play this year and same with Dozier, despite not faring as well in 2018.

Brett Phillips, if kept in the majors, deserves starting time. Don’t waste his time by keeping him on the bench. Either send him to the minors or play him.

We don’t need veterans blocking the younger guys for the entire season. Been there, done that.