Free Agent Signings:
Carlos Santana
Mike Minor
Michael Taylor
Ervin Santana
Top 10 Prospects:
1 Bobby Witt Jr., SS
2 Asa Lacy, LHP
3 Daniel Lynch, LHP
4 Jackson Kowar, RHP
5 Erick Pena, OF
6 Nick Loftin, SS
7 Kyle Isbel, OF
8 Khali Lee, OF
9 Jonathan Bowlan, RHP
10 Carlos Hernedez, RHP [Reply]
I'm excited about this season! Lineup looks stacked and pitching shows a lot of promise. Curious to see if they bring up any more of the young guys this year like they did with Singer and Bubic last year. [Reply]
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho:
I think it’s more likely:
Merrifield - 2B
Benintendi - LF
Dozier - 3B
Santana - 1B
Soler - DH
Perez - C
Mondesi - SS
Taylor - CF
Olivares - RF
You stack 5 pretty good OBP guys at the top there. Deep 1-7.
Nicky Lopez will get time at 2B, too, with Merrifield going to RF. I’d just like to see them give his legs more of a break by letting him play 2B.
1. R – Whit Merrifield - 2B
2. L – Andrew Benintendi - LF
3. R – Hunter Dozier - 3B
4. S – Carlos Santana - 1B
5. R – Jorge Soler - DH
6. R – Salvador Perez - C
7. S – Adalberto Mondesi - SS
8. R – Michael A. Taylor - CF
9. R – Edward Olivares – RF
The battle for the bench and rotational players will be interesting.
2020 Rules - 26 man roster now. Only 13 can be pitchers.
L - Nicky Lopez - INF
R - Hanser Alberto – INF
R – Cam Gallaghar – C
L – Meibrys Viloria – C
L – Ryan McBroom – 1B/PH/DH
L – Ryan O’Hearn – 1B/PH/DH
L – Nick Heath – OF/PR
R – Kelvin Gutierrez 3B
It seems like Nicky Lopez might win out over Hanser Alberto since Hanser is already on a minor league contract, but Hanser will be really valuable against LH pitching, so I think he will be brought up pretty quickly.
Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria will compete for the backup catcher role. Gallagher is 5 years older so Royals might be OK with him sitting on Royal’s bench while Viloria plays in the minors.
Ryan O’Hearn and Ryan McBroom will fight for a shot at the back up slot but both might be beat out. Ryan McBroom has played some outfield.
Kelvin Gutierrez will have to shine in spring training to be given a chance. He probably starts out in minors and has to wait for a Hunter Dozier injury.
Nick Heath will battle the younger players for the 4th outfield spot in spring training. Nick’s left handed bat, speed at running the bases, and his 27 year old age makes him the likely player to win this spot.
Likely Bench – Nicky Lopez, Cam Gallagher, Ryan McBroom, and Nick Heath. Hanser Alberto will be brought up at first opportunity. [Reply]
They were interviewing Rex Hudler on 610 radio today. He thinks that Whit will play 2B with some outfield when needed. He thinks Royals will be stealing bases and 2B would be easier on Merrifield's legs. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Wilson8:
They were interviewing Rex Hudler on 610 radio today. He thinks that Whit will play 2B with some outfield when needed. He thinks Royals will be stealing bases and 2B would be easier on Merrifield's legs.
Originally Posted by Wilson8:
That is a good point.
I hope Mondesi really takes a big step forward this year.
He sure looked like it the last month of the season. Probably the biggest key to how this team goes offensively. If he plays like a superstar again this lineup is going to be legit. [Reply]
Originally Posted by KChiefs1:
I could see that later in the year but coming out of spring training?
A lot of it is just a guess right now. Maybe Hanser Alberto or Kelvin Gutierrez come in to spring training and really play well at 3B and hit really well, that might create an opportunity for Hunter Dozier in Right Field.
We shall see, but I am looking forward to the season.
I hope to go to spring training and to watch some games. [Reply]