The Kansas City Royals Roster if the Season Started Today?
By Lucas Murphy
Shortstop
- Adalberto Mondesi
- Nicky Lopez
- Bobby Witt Jr.
One of the most important positions on the baseball field and the Royals are loaded with talent at this position. At the moment the position could belong to Adalberto Mondesi, but injuries have plagued his career and cost him significant playing time. Mondesi has incredible speed along with an amazing glove. His ability to hit from both sides of the plate is a bonus. No matter how excited fans get the question always comes back to can he remain healthy.
The next player is Nicky Lopez. Lopez filled in for Mondesi and played incredible at the position. He elevated his game at the plate but also in the field. In 2021 Lopez logged 1233.2 innings at SS committing a minute seven errors. He was given 534 chances, turning 77 double plays, and finished the season with a fielding percentage of .987. Depending on how the Royals handle this position they can’t go wrong with those two options.
Year so fine, you blow my mind.#TogetherRoyal pic.twitter.com/un3ocCMBFN
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) October 6, 2021
The flashiest option and the option every Royals fan is hoping happens is the No. 3 MLB prospect Bobby Witt Jr. to man the position. Witt was drafted in 2019 with the No. 2 selection, and from that moment he has been impressive. His talent and ability to hit a baseball is beyond incredible and he is a natural shortstop. In 2021, Witt played at both Northwest Arkansas (AA) and Omaha (AAA). In 123 total games, he logged 244 at-bats, hitting .290, an OBP of .361, and a slugging percentage of .575. He mashed the baseball ladies and gentlemen. Witt posted 144 hits, 35 doubles, four triples, 33 home runs, and 97 RBIs. He is ready to play at the major league level, but it comes down to the lockout and the decision made on service time.
According to MLB.com, “Witt drives the ball to all fields with excellent barrel control and outstanding bat speed. He has made significant gains in improving his approach in pro ball, becoming more aggressive while also trimming swing-and-miss tendencies from his game, and he already knows how to make difficult adjustments within at-bats. Witt has long shown plus raw power to his pull side and tapped into it more consistently in 2020, applying it from line to line against advanced pitching. He should generate even more power as he adds strength to his projectable frame and continues to refine his approach. Witt is also a plus runner who is aggressive on the base paths, giving him a high-end combination of power and speed at a premium position.”