Kansas City Royals: Projecting positional player stats for 2020 season
By Cody Rickman
Center Field
- Whit Merrifield (2020 Steamer projection) – .282/.337/.427 with 57 extra base hits (14 home runs) – 2.0 WAR
The two-time AL hit leader will head to outfield for the bulk of his work in 2020. I expect the Royals to be flexible with his placement all over the field and we should see Whit Merrifield get time at second base, left field, right field, and DH during the 2020 season.
The move to center field helps Merrifield out defensively, as he projects to be above average defensively while his statcast metrics at second base indicated he was below average.
Whether or not Merrifield will start to feel some decline as he enters his age 31 season is yet to be seen. Merrifield saw a decline in his stolen base numbers with 20 in 2019 compared to an AL leading 45 in 2018 and 34 in 2017.
Merrifield’s ability at the plate shouldn’t decline as rapidly as his base running numbers and I expect him to continue his consistency at the plate. Another season of 190 hits with 60 extra base hits and plus defense in the outfield should push Whit’s overall WAR value above 3.5.
- Brett Phillips (2020 Steamer projection) – .211/.299/.369 with 32 extra base hits (12 home runs) – 0.6 WAR
Brett Phillips possesses Gold Glove potential in center field. The only thing holding him back from being an every day starter on the Royals roster is his inconsistency to make contact at the plate.
Phillips has seen his K% drop during 2019, but he still hovers around 30%. The plate discipline is there as Phillips generally sees four pitches per plate appearance and walks at a rate above 10%. He has struggled making contact with pitches in the zone (77.7%) and outside (60.0%).
If Phillips ever figures it out at the plate, he could be extremely valuable as his power, speed, and athleticism make him an extra base machine and a defensive highlight reel. Phillips also possesses one of the strongest arms in the outfield and would be a plus-plus defender for the Royals in the corners.
Since Phillips is out of options, the Royals will have to carry him on the roster in a reserve role until he takes advantage of an opportunity and earns the position outright. The talent and the potential are there for a potential star if he can improve his contact ability to hit above a .260 batting average.