Kansas City Royals: How will AL Central fare in early 2020s?

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Alex Gordon #4, Brett Phillips #14 and Whit Merrifield #15 of the Kansas City Royals (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Moving Merrifield and Dozier to the outfield will assist in improving their defensive numbers and each player represents an offensive upgrade for the Royals in the outfield.

Adding their production to the outfield, which was lackluster in regards to production in 2019, will only add to the value of the Maikel Franco and Nicky Lopez if they are able to produce at third base and second base respectively. Jorge Soler looks like he may be preparing to see more time in the field in 2020 as well to build on his breakout value. The Royals should also push to re-sign Soler long-term.

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The return of Salvador Perez from UCL repair will greatly help out with the offensive and defensive output from the catcher position. Meibrys Viloria showed signs of potential and progressed nicely as he got more reps, but he wasn’t ready to be rushed into managing the pitching staff at his age.

A season backing up and spelling Perez will only help Viloria unlock his potential as the next Royals catcher. If Perez is fully healed from his UCL repair, the Royals will have two of the strongest armed catchers in the MLB. Perez’s leadership and handling of the pitching staff was greatly missed in 2019 and I see the pitching staff improving significantly with his return.

The Royals needed to address their pitching staff this offseason and acquired Trevor Rosenthal RHP, Braden Shipley RHP, Chance Adams RHP (trade), and Stephen Woods Jr (Rule 5).

Rosenthal, Shipley, Adams, and Woods each have the potential of breaking spring training camp with the Royals. Rosenthal and Adams need to show they have regained their ability to consistently throw strikes after their injury history as both possess deliveries and pitch arsenals to be successful.

Shipley (change-up) and Woods (curveball) both possess plus-plus pitches, but struggle with their mechanics. Each require some effort in their deliveries and they need to refine their mechanics for repeatability and deception.

The Royals farm system had one of their most successful years in recent memory capturing league titles in the Dominican Summer League (Rookie), Pioneer League (Rookie), South Atlantic League (A ball), and Carolina League (A+ ball). The current model for success in the MLB relies on having an excellent farm system and the Royals are building themselves their next contender in the minor league system.

Pitching prospects Daniel Lynch, Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, Kris Bubic, Jonathan Bowlan, Austin Cox, Tyler Zuber, Richard Lovelady, and Josh Staumont are potential building blocks to a very solid rotation and bullpen.

Positional prospects Khalil Lee OF, Bobby Witt Jr SS/3B, Kyle Isbel OF, MJ Melendez C, Nick Pratto 1B, Brewer Hicklen OF, Emmanuel Rivera 3B, and Michael Massey 2B show the potential to bring at least two plus tools to the table. Daniel Lynch, Bobby Witt Jr, and Jackson Kowar all the possess the ability to be stars at the MLB level.

The Kansas City Royals might be very competitive to start out the 2020 season due to a weak schedule if everyone is healthy leaving spring training. If the minor league system continues their success in the higher levels, then we can expect for the Royals to have more competitive rosters in 2022 and 2023.

The Royals MLB roster could be a contender in 2024 for the playoffs.

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