KC Royals: 2025 World Series Champions Part 1 – Infield
By Cody Rickman
The tide is turning in Kansas City and the KC Royals projected roster in 2025 has the chance to contend for an American League pennant and a World Series title.
The Kansas City Royals have built an intriguing and successful minor league farm system the past few seasons with a small market strategy of acquiring talent via the amateur draft and international free agent market.
The Royals’ recent run of success (2013 – 2017) was predicated on building a strong farm system by acquiring talent in the amateur draft and international free agent market. Times have been tough recently, as Royals fans watched their fan favorites leave via free agency.
The Royals appeared to have capitalized on their compensation following the departure of free agents Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain with a 2018 draft bonanza that included several promising, near-ready pitching prospects to accelerate rebuild hopes.
The development of international signings and drafted position players in 2017, 2018, and 2019 adds to the excitement of a tidal wave of talent set to crash into Kansas City in the very near future. Adding to the flavor is the possibility of an impact player with top draft pick for 2020 and another possible high draft pick for the 2021 season if the 2020 MLB season takes place and the Royals fail to perform.
What will the 2025 Kansas City Royals World Series contending roster look like?
Infield (Part 1)
Catcher – MJ Melendez (ETA – 2022)
MJ Melendez was in stark contrast from his 2019 performance during the 2020 spring training campaign. His performance at the plate in 2019 had scouts wondering if he was devoid of plan in his plate appearances.
Reports came out the Royals minor hitters were working with new Royals hitting coordinator Drew Saylor during fall instructs in Arizona. During spring training, Melendez looked significantly improved in his approach at the plate with a more open stance to allow him to see the ball better out of the pitcher’s hand.
Melendez is a perennial Gold Glove defensive candidate behind the dish for the Royals. His eye-popping 60% caught stealing rate at A+ Wilmington in 2019 details his athletic ability (outstanding pop time) and cannon for an arm. Melendez has been the catcher for the exciting pitching prospects coming up in the system that familiarity will be valuable as they advance to the MLB.
Drafting high school catchers is always risky, as they may not develop one part of their game (typically the bat trails the defensive development). If Melendez continues to develop at the plate, he is capable of being a .250 hitter with 15-18 home runs.
In 2025, Melendez will be entering his age 27 season and his third full season in the MLB. A slash line of .250/.320/.460 with 18 home runs would put the Royals in a good position with his exceptional defense behind the dish.
Melendez has experienced playoff success being part of the championship teams in Lexington (2018) and Wilmington (2019). His leadership and experience in playoff success bode well for the Royals.