3 Breakout Candidates for the Kansas City Royals in 2022

Adalberto Mondesi-SS/3B

Adalberto Mondesi has star potential written all over him. His ability to flash the glove is incredible, his speed is uniquely fast, and he can hit from both sides of the plate. He has the tools, and as fans, we have seen those tools. There has just been one problem he can not remain healthy for a 162 game season. The most games he has played in a season are 102.

In six years, Mondesi has played in 343 games for the Royals. He has 1312 plate appearances and 1223 at-bats. Mondesi has 304 hits, 54 doubles, 20 triples, 38 home runs, 154 RBIs, and 128 stolen bases. His career batting average is .249, his career OBP is .283, and his career slugging is .419.

Baseball-reference.com projected Mondesi’s 2022 stats showing him logging 331 plate appearances and 305 at-bats. They see him getting 77 hits, 16 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 40 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, and 19 walks. His batting average is projected to be .252. One of the most interesting stats is they give him 71% reliability.

This is the year for Mondesi, and with pressure coming from the minor leagues in Bobby Witt Jr., Mondesi will have to perform. Like I stated previously, he has the talent to become a superstar. He is my final breakout player for 2022, and if he does have a breakout season, I could see the Royals turning the corner, becoming a competitive threat.