Royals Spring Training Preview: More Than a Division Title?
February 23, 2025
“I can’t think of a player in our game who can beat you in as many ways as Bobby Witt Jr. can.”
Bobby Witt Jr. is emerging as one of the best players in the MLB. That was evident to the former president of the Royals, Dayton Moore. “He’s the best player who I’ve ever scouted, for sure,” also said Moore.
Witt Jr. has been a large part of the rebuilding process for the Royals, who made their first playoff appearance last season since their 2015 World Series win.
The Royals have followed the correct steps to rebuild, with Witt Jr. in the center of it. Even though the Royals have an emerging superstar, they are not quite a championship-caliber squad this year. However, they can still make the playoffs and maybe make a postseason run this October.
2024 record: 86-76 (Second, AL Central)
Last Postseason Appearance: 2024
What Happened in 2024: Coming off a 56-103 season in 2023, the second-worst record in the MLB, the expectations for the 2024 Royals were low. In the 2024 season, they ended up going 86-76 in 2024, clinching a Wild Card spot in the playoffs and their first playoff appearance since 2015. The improved success from 2023 to 2024 came from an improved and consistent pitching staff.
The 2024 Royals beat the Orioles in the Wild Card Series, sweeping them in four games. However, they were then swept by the eventual AL Champions, the Yankees, in the AL Division Series.
New Arrivals:
- INF Jonathan India (Cincinnati Reds)
- OF Joey Wiemer (Cincinnati Reds)
- RHP Michael Wacha (New York Mets)
- RHP Carlos Estévez (Philadelphia Phillies)
- RHP Michael Lorenzen (Los Angeles Angels)
Key Departures
- RHP Brady Singer (Cincinnati Reds)
- LF Tommy Pham (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- 1B/3B Yuli Gurriel (Free agent)
Projected Batting Order*
1. DH Jonathan India
2. SS Bobby Witt Jr.
3. 1B Vinnie Pasquantino
4. C Salvador Perez
5. 2B Michael Massey
6. RF Hunter Renfroe
7. LF MJ Melendez
8. 3B Maikel Garcia
9. CF Kyle Isbel
Projected Rotation*
1. Cole Ragans (LHP)
2. Seth Lugo (RHP)
3. Michael Wacha (RHP)
4. Michael Lorenzen (RHP)
5. Kris Bubic (LHP)
Projected Bullpen*
Middle-Relief John Schreiber (RHP), Angel Zerpa (LHP), Chris Stratton (RHP), Sam Long (LHP)
Long-Relief: Carlos Hernández (RHP)
Set-Up: Hunter Harvey (RHP)
Closer: Carlos Estévez (RHP), Lucas Erceg (RHP)
Biggest Question: Can the Offense Get Going?
The offense. The Royals averaged 1.02 home runs per game in 2024, which was 21st in MLB. They also averaged 4.46 runs per game, which was 13th in the Majors.. Even if their pitching was consistent, they need to find more power in the offense if they want to make a playoff run. The biggest question is will Jonathan India, along with the combination of returners Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino be able to give the offense the power they are looking for?
Team MVP: Bobby Witt Jr.
The shortstop hit a .332 average and 32 home runs with 109 RBIs in 2024, made his All-Star game debut, won a Gold Glove and was selected to the All-MLB team. At 24 years old, the future is bright for Witt Jr. and there is a lot of offensive potential for the Royals with India and him hitting back-to-back this season.
Breakout Candidate: Kris Bubic
The left-handed pitcher is projected to be a starting pitcher this season after playing a relief role last year. In the 2024 postseason, he pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowing five hits and one run. In the regular season, he pitched 30 and one-third innings, allowing 12 runs and 26 hits and 39 strikeouts. Bubic will hopefully pick up where he left off in the 2024 season, this time in a starting role.
Key Stat: .248 BA, 15 HR, 58 RBIs
Those are the numbers Jonathan India put up in 2024 with the Reds. He is predicted to be Kansas City’s leadoff hitter this season, which will add more depth and consistency to a team where offense has been at a premium. The Royals were 19th in the MLB in offensive production according to Fox Sports, which shows a need for lots of improvement this season.
2025 Will Be Successful If… they maintain consistency from their starting rotation.
Kansas City’s starting pitchers, Lugo, Ragans, Singer, Wacha and Marsh, had ERAs of 3.00, 3.14, 3.71, 3.35 and 4.53, respectively, in 2024. If the starting pitchers can put up similar numbers to last season, they should be set up for similar success.
2025 Prediction: First in AL Central, Playoff Berth
In 2025, the Royals will win the American League Central. With the acquisition of India and many strong arms returning, they should be a top contender in their division, especially as there are not many threats. Though they have a chance to win their division, the likelihood of making a deep run in the playoffs is small. Most likely, they will exit the same round as last year.
FanGraphs’ Projection: 81-81
Baseball Prospectus: 81-81
*Projections were pulled from FanGraphs as of Feb. 23
Posted: February 23, 2025
Category: Cactus League, Kansas City Royals
Tagged as: AL Central, Bobby Witt, Bobby Witt Jr., Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic, MLB, MLB Spring Training, MLB Spring Training 2025, Salvador Perez, Vinnie Pasquantino
