Kansas City Royals: Three reasons for optimism in 2020
By Gage Stagner
Number 2 – Witnessing the progress of the core.
In what seemed like a lost season for the Royals in 2019, guys like Hunter Dozier and Jorge Soler busted out. Soler entered 2019 with a make-or-break type year lined up. His first two years with the Royals were injury-plagued, but he flashed enormous power upside.
Now here we sit having watched Soler crush the franchise’s homerun record with 48. Adalberto Mondesi enters a similar situation just a year later. Mondesi’s overall game is better than Soler’s, as he hits for average, power, and has a slick glove at shortstop. At just 24 years-old, Mondesi has flashed 5-tool upside for the ball club with the potential to be a cornerstone for the future.
However, Mondesi cannot seem to stay on the field, whether it be a PED suspension, or a torn labrum, or little injuries here and there. His talent is without question, but this year, Mondesi should take a leap at the heart of the club’s lineup if his body cooperates; A career year for the smooth shortstop should be on schedule, considering he is due.
Hunter Dozier was a more surprising breakout in 2019. In just his second full year in the big leagues, he was a fixture in the Kansas City lineup. With appearances at first and third base in 2019, Dozier was an everyday guy and has the chance to build on his consistency with another step forward in 2020, with a possible all-star appearance.
Speaking of All-Star appearances, Royals fans will be delighted to see one of the only players left from the World Series team back in action. Catcher Salvador Perez missed all of last year with Tommy John surgery, but will back behind the dish, as well as first base, according to Matheny. Salvy is reason enough to be excited about the Royals this year as he brings a joy to the game few can.
With Whit Merrifield, Perez, Dozier, Mondesi, and Soler in the lineup, Kansas City will be competitive, but the pitching staff in 2020 needs to be solidified by Brad Keller and Danny Duffy.
Keller has the build and stuff to be an ace for the future and after a relatively disappointing outcome last season, he should improve immensely. Duffy is healthy and will hopefully get close to level he was playing at a few years ago.
If these two can round into shape, with one of Jacob Junis, Mike Montgomery, or Jorge Lopez stepping up, the rotation should be much better than last year. All three of those young pitchers have shown flashes, but need to display consistency.
It will be compelling to watch this core unit that has not been fully healthy together, take the field.