Kansas City Royals: Way too early 2020 lineup predictions
By Cody Rickman
Infield
The KC Royals have acquired and developed a promising infield with speed, defense, power, and positional versatility. Dayton Moore has put together an infield that has required patience to develop. This patience will carry over into the 2020 season as the Royals’ roster doesn’t appear ready for contention.
First Base
Ryan McBroom and Ryan O’Hearn are my selections to be breakouts in 2020 and will provide a platoon punch at first base with each showing strong hitting capability against opposite handed pitching. They are both about average defensively and combined they could contribute a .260 average and 30+ home runs with strong on-base numbers.
O’Hearn would likely see the lion’s share of starts versus tough right-handed pitching. McBroom offers versatility and would likely see some starts in left and right field to get both his and O’Hearn’s bat into the line-up.
A more comprehensive write-up on Ryan McBroom can be read here. A more comprehensive write-up on Ryan O’Hearn can be read here.
2020 offseason transactions: None
- Future: Nick Pratto (ETA: 2022)
Drafted in the 1st round of the 2017 draft out of high school (Huntington Beach HS (Huntington Beach, CA)), the 2011 Little League star has already been the first baseman for two minor league championship teams (2018 Lexington Legends and 2019 Wilmington Blue Rocks).
Pratto, a two-way star in high school, has the chance to be a Gold Glove caliber first baseman in the majors with a great arm, range, and athleticism at the first base bag. Pratto had a rough 2019 season statistically in the tough hitting environment at Wilmington being 2.6 years younger than his peers. He flashed his potential at the plate in the A+ playoffs slashing .265/.359/.441.
Pratto drew lofty draft day comparisons to Joey Votto, because of his advanced approach and patience at the plate. A more realistic comparison may be Doug Mientkiewicz. Pratto has the offensive potential to be a .260 hitter in the majors averaging 19-22 home runs per year with excellent on-base numbers.