Kansas City Royals Season Preview

2012: 72-90 3rd in AL Central

Another April, and the same question arises for Kansas City Royals fans. Are the Royals finally ready to be competitive? If so, they would be embodying the “dark horse” role, because their “stacked farm system” is still a farm system. Some guys are beginning to make a name for themselves, Alex Gordon shook the tag as a bust the past two seasons and Mike Moustakas may be the best third basemen no one knows about. Eric Hosmer struggled last year, but he’s only 23 years old and has a great swing with huge power potential. Fans are beginning to see the result of high draft picks each year, but with that comes a ball club that is extremely inexperienced. Maybe they can get hot and make a run, but then again they do share a division with the Detroit Tigers, looks like its Wild Card or bust.  

Strengths:

Young Lineup

The Royals were the best team in Spring Training this year, because their young studs came out and raked. However, the key for the Royals to carry their offensive success into the season will be Eric Hosmer, he needs to be a big RBI guy for the Royals to be competitive. Last year he batted an abysmal .232 with 14 homeruns and 60 RBIs, he needs to be somewhere in the .275 with 26 homeruns and 95 RBI range, numbers that are very attainable once he gets over his growing pains.

Weaknesses:

Starting Pitching

Royals management made a very controversial move trading big outfield prospect Will Meyers to the Rays for James Shields and Wade Davis. Whether, you think this was a stupid trade or not, it did increase their depth of starting pitching, and maybe more importantly moves Bruce Chen and Luke Hochevar to the bullpen. Starting pitching was a concern last year, but the Royals still lack a legitimate ace, not sure if this move pushes them into the playoffs, but they will definitely increase their win total from last year.

Prediction: 81-81, 4^th in the AL Central

Inexperience and lack of pitching  will keep the Royals from allowing them to sustain success over the long 162 game season. However, Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas are poising themselves to have monster years in 2013 and don’t be surprised if the Royals are in the playoffs within the next five years.

-Blake Dale Lepire