Kansas City Royals: Observations from 2019 Opening Day

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 28: Kansas City Royals players line up during the National Anthem prior to the Opening Day game between the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on March 28, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

3 of 6

Kansas City Royals center fielder Billy Hamilton (6) fields the ball (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

THE OUTFIELD HAD A GOOD VIBE

When most people think of Whit Merrifield, they associate him with playing second base, and that makes perfect sense. After all – Merrifield has spent most of his Royals tenure manning second base.

On Opening Day, however, Merrifield started in right field, which some of us expected could happen this season with the lack of true talent available to be the right fielder. Merrifield started in right field while Chris Owings was the second baseman.

To be perfectly honest – I’d be perfectly fine with this being the every day (or most day) outfield for the duration of the 2019 season. Alex Gordon is a gem in left field, Billy Hamilton has the speed to be a good center fielder, and we all know Merrifield is nails defensively.

With Owings on the roster and Nicky Lopez‘s eventual promotion looming large, there are other options to have at second base. Merrifield can still start there from time to time, but right field is a good place for him for the time being.

Home/Kansas City Royals