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KC Royals: Five players who need to finish 2019 strong

By Cody Rickman

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 31: Right fielder Brett Phillips #14 of the Kansas City Royals catches a ball hit by Trey Mancini of the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. Mancini's sacrifice fly scored Cedric Mullins. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 31: Right fielder Brett Phillips #14 of the Kansas City Royals catches a ball hit by Trey Mancini of the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. Mancini's sacrifice fly scored Cedric Mullins. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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Kansas City Royals first baseman Ryan O’Hearn (66)  (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kansas City Royals first baseman Ryan O’Hearn (66)  (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

RYAN O’HEARN (FIRST BASE)

2019 AAA: .295/.383/.597, 10 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 17 BB (1 IBB), 31 K (129 ABs)

2019 MLB: .177/.269/.331, 9 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 33 BB (1 IBB), 79 K (266 ABs)

Ryan O’Hearn doesn’t have anything left to prove in the minors. After watching his breakout campaign in the majors in the last two months of the 2018 season, I set low expectations for O’Hearn for the 2019 season.

O’Hearn is a prototypical pull-side power hitter, the league adjusted with defensively with shifts and pitching sequences. O’Hearn has been late to make the adjustments necessary to continue the success he had in his rookie campaign offensively.

He is selective at the plate, so his walk rate should continue to be around 10%, but his K rate may remain around 25%. Defensively O’Hearn won’t be a liability as he provides league average defense at first base. He is much stronger vs RHP pitching and may need to be platooned vs LHP.

Expectations: Realistic statistical projection over 162 games: .250/.340/.460 with 20 HRs (expect K rate around 26%). League average defense at first base and being pulled for a platoon vs LHP.

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