KC Royals: 12 hitters to keep an eye on in spring training
By Cody Rickman
The KC Royals are set-up with long-term position prospects. Here are some hitters for fans to watch for during spring training.
The Kansas City Royals are for the most part set with their starting lineup. The back-up catcher and utility bench roles in competition with non-invitee Hanser Alberto (IF) having a strong chance to make the roster.
The projected 2021 lineup should be solid with the off-season additions of Andrew Benintendi (LF), Carlos Santana (1B), and Michael Taylor (CF). The Royals are banking on Whit Merrifield to recapture his hitting crown while occupying right field and Jorge Soler (DH) to remain healthy enough to compete for another home-run crown.
Salvador Perez (C) if healthy is as good of a shepherd for the pitching staff as there is in the MLB. Adalberto Mondesi (SS) and Hunter Dozier (3B) each have shown massive breakout potential when healthy. This will be the strongest Royals lineup since the world championship run of 2015.
Projected 2021 Starting Lineup (ZiPS projections on fangraphs):
- Whit Merrifield (RF) – (.286/.331/.435, 3.0 WAR)
- Andrew Benintendi (LF) – (.253/.347/.415, 1.5 WAR)
- Jorge Soler (DH) – (.246/.342/.495, 1.6 WAR)
- Carlos Santana (1B) – (.250/.367/.418, 1.4 WAR)
- Salvador Perez (C) – (.265/.294/.488, 2.7 WAR)
- Hunter Dozier (3B) – (.244/.325/.446, 1.2 WAR)
- Adalberto Mondesi (SS) – (.254/.289/.431, 2.1 WAR)
- Michael Taylor (CF) – (.231/.281/.404, 0.7 WAR)
- Nicky Lopez (2B) – (.245/.307/.333, 0.5 WAR)
There is a lot of room for this line-up to outperform their projections. Benintendi has the ability and plate approach to hit closer to .300. Soler, Dozier, Perez, and Mondesi have each shown tremendous offensive ability when they have been healthy. In my opinion, this is the best offensive lineup the current Royals front office has put together during their tenure.
Player profiles can be viewed at baseball-reference.com.