The Kansas City Royals ended 2010 dead last in the AL Central with an overall record of 67-95. While the immediate future doesn't look great, there is a good chance the Royals will turn things around here soon. GM Dayton Moore has put together what is considered the game’s best farm system. Kansas City will have to deal with the loss of ace Zach Grienke, who was traded to the Brewers this offseason, but they have cleaned house of washed up veterans, and everyone on this year’s roster will be given a chance to be a part of the future.
See where the Royals finish in the AL Central with my MLB predictions below.
Projected Lineup
The Royals have a couple of options they could turn to at the top of the order, in shortstop Alcides Escobar and second baseman Chris Getz. Whoever doesn't win the leadoff spot, will likely hit last, which essentially gives the Royals back-to-back leadoff hitters. Neither player was very impressive last season, as Getz hit just .237 with and .302 OBP in 72 games, while Escobar hit just .235 with a .288 OBP in 145 games.
Third baseman Mike Aviles had a fine season in 2010, hitting .304 with 14 stolen bases in limited action. One player Kansas City is really excited about is DH Billy Butler, who hit .318 with 15 home runs and 78 RBIs. The kid is just 24-years-old and is only going to get better as he gets better players around him. First baseman Kila Ka'aihue could really put up some big numbers given more playing time. He hit eight home runs with 25 RBIs and 24 walks in just 180 at-bats last season.
Jeff Francoeur spent 2010 with the Rangers and Mets, but didn't produce, hitting just .249 with 13 home runs and 65 RBIs. Francoeur is only 27, so there is still time for him to turn things around. This may be the last shot with the Royals for Alex Gordon, who has failed miserably at living up to his lofty expectations. Gordon hit just .215 with eight home runs last season. Melky Cabrera is another player Kansas City is giving a shot to turn his career in the right direction. Cabrera hit just .255 with 4 home runs in 147 games with the Braves last season.
The Royals have a couple of options at catcher with Brayan Pena and veteran Jason Kendall, but neither brings a whole lot to the table offensively, and are likely just holding down the job until prospects Manny Pina and Salvador Perez are ready to make the jump to the big leagues.
Projected Rotation
The Royals clearly lack an ace at the top of the starting rotation with Grienke no longer in the mix, and its hard to even find a reliable guy in this rotation that would be a good No. 2 starter on most pitching staffs. Luke Hochevar finally got things going last year after struggling in both 2008 and 2009. Hochevar went 6-6 with a 4.81 ERA, and this could be the year he really makes a name for himself.
The Royals took a risk by acquiring Jeff Francis this offseason, and it could end up paying off huge. Francis went 17-9 in 2007 with Colorado, but struggled in 2008 and missed all of 2009 because of major shoulder surgery. He showed signs of regaining his touch in 2010, but was just 4-6 with a 5.00 ERA. Kansas City also went out and traded for Vin Mazzaro from the Athletics. Mazzaro is another guy who could surprise, as he went 6-8 with a 4.27 ERA last year after going just 4-9 with a 5.34 ERA in his rookie run in 2009.
If Kyle Davies can just find a way to consistently find the strike zone, he figures to put together some pretty good numbers, but that is a big question mark. Davies went just 8-12 with a 5.34 ERA last year. Sean O'Sullivan figures to be the fifth and final starter in this rotation. O'Sullivan is just 24 and really came on strong late in the season, but its more likely he struggles than anything.
2011 Projection: 4th Place AL Central
The positive thing for Kansas City is that there are little expectations for them this season, and they have a handful of up-and-coming players who are out to prove they belong. The lineup has a ton of potential from a talented outfield to a bunch of marvelous prospects.
The rotation is what could hold Kansas City back this season, with Greinke gone and a bunch of youngsters still trying to find their way. Their bullpen is in good hands with one of the game’s best closers in Joakim Soria. This team has more to work with than Cleveland, but unfortunately for the Royals that’s the only team in this division they can even come close to.
The Royals MLB odds to win the AL Central this season are currently listed at +8000.
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