Crown Talk #1
Spring Storylines: Esteves signing, rotation changes, outfield options, & MORE!
When I first created this post and thought about starting off this regular series, it was just before the start of Spring Training. Well life got in the way, as it does, and turned this from a “Spring Training Storylines to Watch” type of list to a “Lets Check in on These Storylines”. Halfway through Spring Ball! So lets get into it!
WHO/WHERE/HOW WILL THE LINEUP BALANCE OUT IN LEFT AFTER AQUIRING INDIA?
STATUS: It’s complicated.
After trading away Brady Singer for a second baseman, Johnathan India, it left a head scratching problem. Initial thoughts were swirling. Singer is a young star who seems to have put the pieces together. We already have Michael Massey at second. What are they thinking?
Singer is 28 and only has one year of arbitration left after this season and India will give a better chance of having a real lead-off hitter. But the biggest reason in my eyes: the pitching staff is looking to be more full than anytime since the teams a decade ago. Wacha re-signed, Lorenzen will hopefully stay healthy longer, and Kyle Wright and Kris Bubic are looking the healthiest they have in years.
So all this brings us to this point. There’s a hole in left field, and yet another guy willing to play there.
This Spring, the Royals have tried out 13 different guys in left. In true Spring fashion though, most of the guys that have played there wont make it. MJ Melendez leads all players with 6 appearances, then Gavin Cross (5), India (4), Massey (3), Tyler Gentry (3), and John Rave (3). A few more have appeared, but those are the only ones with 3+.
This dwindles the list down from 13, to 7. Gentry, Rave, and Cross most likely wont get close to making the roster. And none of them are starters at this point. So, down to 3. Melendez, Massey, and India. And I believe that’s how it will stay. Melendez will rotate between LF/DH/nights off. Massey and India will rotate between 2B/LF/DH.
Long story for a boring answer we all pretty much saw coming. But still interesting.
SPEAKING OF THE SINGER TRADE, HOW IS JOEY WIEMER LOOKING?
STATUS: Not great.
Through Game 16, Wiemer has seen 10 games (17 ABs) and is slashing .176/.364/.775 with 1 HR, 3 RBIs, and 7 strikeouts. He certainly hasn’t hit his way into the lineup, in fact, I doubt he starts the year with the Major League Squad.
NOW WHO TAKES THE LAST ROTATION SPOT?
STATUS: Probably Kyle Wright… Eventually… Maybe…
Following Singer’s departure, the primary 4 of the rotation is pretty obviously solidified. Ragans, Lugo, Wacha, and Lorenzen are all veterans who have earned their spots in the rotation.
The fifth spot is the interesting one. It could be simple: Kyle Wright could be healthy with enough time to start the regular season in the spot. Wright, acquired by KC in 2023 for pitcher Jackson Kowar, hasn’t pitched in nearly 2 years. Reports before the start of Spring were that he was finally healthy and ready to go, but another setback with a shoulder injury has now put that into question.
If Wright can’t start, who takes it? There have been stirrings about Noah Cameron following his impressive start to Camp (more on him later). Reality is though, it will most likely be Kris Bubic or Angel Zerpa.
It remains to be seen though if they can steal the spotlight and take Wright’s seemingly set-in-stone spot.
CARLOS ESTEVEZ SIGNED… IS THE BULLPEN BACK??
STATUS: Hesitant yes.
I say hesitant for one reason only: there are a lot of ‘ifs’ and ‘assumed jumps’ in the bullpen. Estevez and Erceg are basically locks at set up/closer roles. There’s a better chance than not that they are in good form throughout the year.
The question marks are really With Hunter Harvey, John Schreiber, Angel Zerpa, and Carlos Hernandez. All of these guys have shown great flashes, but they’ve always fizzled out in some way shape or form. If even two of those strike gold to pose themselves next to Erceg and Esteves, the bullpen will be a definite strength.