KC Royals: 12 hitters to keep an eye on in spring training

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):

1. Whit Merrifield (RF) – (.286/.331/.435, 3.0 WAR)
2. Andrew Benintendi (LF) – (.253/.347/.415, 1.5 WAR)
3. Jorge Soler (DH) – (.246/.342/.495, 1.6 WAR)
4. Carlos Santana (1B) – (.250/.367/.418, 1.4 WAR)
5. Salvador Perez (C) – (.265/.294/.488, 2.7 WAR)
6. Hunter Dozier (3B) – (.244/.325/.446, 1.2 WAR)
7. Adalberto Mondesi (SS) – (.254/.289/.431, 2.1 WAR)
8. Michael Taylor (CF) – (.231/.281/.404, 0.7 WAR)
9. 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.

Here are 12 hitters for KC Royals fans to keep an eye on in spring training.

Catcher

The Royals have good defensive depth at catcher. In case Salvador Perez does not get a contract extension, their development offensively will be important for 2021 and beyond.

Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria are in competition for the back-up role. Viloria is out of options and Gallagher has one option left. Both are good defenders with Gallagher being the better receiver and Viloria having the better arm. Viloria will need to out-hit Gallagher to win the back-up spot on the roster. The winner of this back-up competition becomes the likely starter if Perez leaves via free agency.

Sebastian Rivero and M.J. Melendez are both plus defenders who have not hit well to this point in their minor league careers. Rivero is a strong candidate to be a long-time back-up and potentially something more if his offensive game picks up. Both Rivero and Melendez have developed experience and familiarity catching the Royals’ pitching prospects.

Melendez has the better power profile and is a world-class defender. Melendez has worked on developing his approach at the plate and adjusting his stance at the plate to better see incoming pitches. He has the defensive talent to be a perennial gold-glove candidate behind the plate.

Melendez’s offensive development has been slow as is typical for drafted high school catchers. There is the potential for a .250 hitter with 15-18 home runs once Melendez gets more experience against advanced pitching.

First Base

Nick Pratto is a wizard defensively and the Royals will need him to continue to develop his plate approach. He is the heir apparent at first base once Carlos Santana’s contract expires after the 2022 season. Pratto needs to continue to put together good at-bats (4+ pitches seen) and drive the ball with more authority.

Pratto has the offensive profile and projection to be a plus hitter if he continues to develop with a projected slash line of .270/.340/.440. He might be one of the best base-runners in the Royals organization. Expect him to steal around 10 bases per year with the instincts to take an extra-base and put himself into a position to score.

Pratto may be a better defensive prospect than former Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer who won four Gold Gloves with the Royals. Having a human vacuum cleaner at first base makes the rest of the infield better when they can be more aggressive with throws to first base.

Pratto has excellent range around the first base bag and will limit hits to the right side of the infield. He has an outstanding arm as well and will be comfortable throwing around the infield to increase the likelihood of double-plays and throwing out lead runners.

Second Base, Third Base, and Shortstop

Bobby Witt Jr. is a true 5-tool prospect (60 or better for scouting grades) who showed he is adept at hitting pitches low in the zone during 2020 pre-season summer camp. Expect him to be challenged inside and up in the zone. He might struggle as a result, but he is uber-talented, so look for him to make an adjustment to handle this.

Expect to see Witt rotate between third base, shortstop, and second base defensively. He can handle each position well, but he is a perennial Gold Glove candidate at third base. Long-term projections have Witt slashing .280/.340/.460 with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases potential.

Nick Loftin will play every position as long he is in spring training camp. He should see some time in the outfield in addition to around the infield. Loftin is an above-average defender everywhere and offensively he consistently makes good contact. He rarely strikes out and can become an annoyance at the plate with the ability to drive up pitch counts.

There is power there to the pull-side (reminds me of Whit Merrifield’s home runs). If Loftin shows power to the opposite field it is time to get excited about his projections. Loftin should move quickly in the system with his work ethic and desire to do anything to help the team win. His versatility is a major asset.

Clay Dungan should see time at second base and shortstop. Dungan has a sweet swing and patient approach. In MLB spring training camp he might show struggles with velocity inside and it will be intriguing to see how he handles it. Dungan is an underrated prospect in the Royals system and he is my sleeper pick to be an average everyday player if he continues to develop his game.

Outfield

Kyle Isbel looked great defensively during 2020 spring training. He needs to develop more at the plate against advanced pitching. The more experience he is able to get in the batter’s box during 2021 spring training, the better. Isbel needs to find that sweet spot of aggression and patience at the plate.

White Cleat Beat

Expect Isbel to be the long-term answer in left field once Benintendi’s contract expires. Isbel has the potential to slash .270/.330/.430 with 20 stolen bases. He should be a plus defender in left field.

Seuly Matias has all of the power in the world and he has the sky is the limit offensive potential. He, unfortunately, does not get to his power very often in game situations. Matias has struggled with his mental approach to the game and tends swings too hard too often resulting in high strikeout numbers.

If he tones it down and looks for his pitch, he could be a superstar. He is an above-average runner and fielder with a cannon for an arm. Matias needs to show he can make more contact at the plate against advanced pitching.

Erick Pena is the Royals’ best positional prospect not named Bobby Witt Jr. He is a very impressive 18-year-old. The work ethic and talent are there for him to be a superstar. He will not be completely ready until 2024/2025 when he will still just be 22 years old, but he will show flashes during spring training of his potential which should be exciting to watch.

Pena can hit, hit for power, run, and field. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to advanced pitching in spring training camp.

Anderson Miller is another player in the Royals system with a sweet swing. He is an under-the-radar type player with average tools across the board. If he ever puts together his plate approach for a consistent stretch he could be an asset for the Royals in the outfield.

The Kansas City Royals front office has set-up the team to be successful in the short-term and the long-term. This is an unusual feeling to have as a Royals fan. The front office, scouting department, and development team have done a fantastic job in recent years.

The Royals have the talent to compete now in what is looking more and more like a strong AL Central. The Royals also have the prospect talent to take over vacancies created from expiring contracts. The Kansas City Royals are going to be in the thick of things in the AL Central for the next 6+ years.

We are just getting a glimpse of the next Royals stars during this year’s spring training