Happy Friday everyone! For today’s preview we head back to the AL Central to breakdown the Kansas City Royals. KC is one of the ball clubs that is looking to improve in 2024, and frankly it should be hard for them coming off of a horrible 2023. Last year’s squad was a shockingly bad 56-106, so it really can only go up from here. Face of the franchise Bobby Witt Jr., MJ Melendez, and Salvador Perez were the highlight of last season’s mess, and the front office went about helping them win this year by adding to the roster. Hunter Renfroe, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, and Will Smith make up a quartet of veteran players looking to get this team closer to competing, something they have no excuse not to do in a very weak AL Central. Let’s take a look at what can drive some improvement this offseason.

1. Bobby Leads the Way: While Salvador Perez is still on this team providing veteran leadership, the Royals are fully Bobby Witt Jr.’s franchise to lead now. The dynamic young shortstop is coming off of a big 2023 campaign and just signed a 11-year, $288 million dollar extension. Number seven will be the heartbeat of this squad as they look too make a jump in the standings.

2. Ragans Avoids the Sophomore Slump: Last year’s pitching staff struggled mightily, but there was one bright spot, lefty Cole Ragans. The 24-year-old will need to repeat his success for this team to be anywhere near competitive, but he looks capable of doing it. The Royals had a host of talented young arms during their last two runs to the playoffs, Ragans may well become the next one.

3. The Veterans Step Up: While a lot of the focus will be on Royals emerging young talent, any chance this team has at improving will fall on the newly signed veteran free agents. Hunter Renfroe, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, and Will Smith (in order above) will be leaned on for the help the lineup, rotation and pen. While none of them are stars, they have been productive major league players for many years now and should repeat that level of success in 2024.

The Lineup

1. MJ Melendez LF

2. Bobby Witt Jr. SS

3. Salvador Perez C

4. Vinnie Pasquantino 1B

5. Hunter Renfroe RF

6. Michael Massey 2B

7. Nelson Velasquez DH

8. Kyle Isbel CF

9. Maikel Garcia 3B

The Staff

1. Cole Ragans

2. Michael Wacha

3. Seth Lugo

4. Brady Singer

5. Jordan Lyles

Closer: Will Smith

The Prediction

75 Wins

While I don’t think this is a playoff team by any stretch, especially not in a crowded American League, I think this Royals team should take a much-needed step forward. Their mix of youthful exuberance and veteran experience should be enough to improve their record, particularly given how bad the AL Central is. With a new core starting to assemble and talk of a new ballpark in KC, the vibes are good around the Royals for a change. We may look back on this season in few years as the campaign where their next playoff team was born.

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