4 Royals on Thin Ice Heading Into Opening Day

2. MJ Melendez - RF

Melendez is running out of time to solidify himself in the Royals' long-term plans as a foundational piece. He hit just .235 on the season with 170 strikeouts, but improved dramatically in the second half of the season with a .273 average and 10 home runs.

He ranked in the 96th percentile in exit velocity and 91st in hart hit percentage, but displayed poor plate discipline with a seventh-percentile ranking in whiff rate and 18th in strikeout rate. With players like Nick Pratto and Dairon Blanco looking impressive in the Cactus League, Melendez needs to prove his late-season surge wasn't a fluke.

The Royals suddenly have a solid cache of promising outfielders. While few match Melendez's second-round pedigree, his plate discipline must improve if he's going to get 500+ at-bats like he did last year.

Slow starts have been a theme in Melendez's career. If he can get off to a strong start, it'll go a long way towards showing this offense is a legitimate threat and keep the Royals playing competitive baseball throughout the summer.

If his April and May go as poorly as they did in 2023, Kansas City can't afford to be patient with him any longer.