KC Royals: 5 players with the most to prove at spring training

Spring training for the KC Royals is ramping up along with significant roster changes since the last time fans saw this team on the field. 

Several of the questions that Kansas City Royals fans had going into the offseason have been answered. The team made a trade to bring Andrew Benintendi and signed free agent Carlos Santana.

Both players will anchor positions that were either in need last season (first base) or were opened through retirement (left field). Michael A. Taylor appears to be the next in line to be the everyday centerfielder. A third of the lineup will be new faces.

The 2021 lineup without a doubt is going to be more productive than what fans have witnessed over the past two seasons. The addition of Santana brings up a few questions of what will happen with the other two players who platooned at first base last season.

As much as Royals fans think we have answers, there are just as many questions going into Spring Training and how the 26-man roster will be filled. Most of those questions will be answered by the performance of several players this spring.

Here are five players that will need to prove something if they are going to make the roster.

KC Royals with the most to prove – No. 5: Ryan McBroom

The first entry on my list actually could be considered to be two players, as both Ryan McBroom and Ryan O’Hearn are going to be competing for a spot on the 26-man roster. Does it seem like Royals fans already went through this last year? The difference this time around is that unlike last season, neither of these guys is going for a starting spot on the roster.

So McBroom naturally will need to have a solid spring to be an option at first base. But like others on this team, McBroom can play in the outfield as well and has proven he can provide some instant power in the form of pinch-hitting.

This could work in McBroom’s favor for sure, but he’ll have to have a really good spring training in order to ensure his name is on the roster.