The headline is terrible, but something is needed to add a little spark to the fellows in Surprise. Outside of the breathtaking WBC Butera/Perez ‘collision’ – more like awkward stagger – there isn’t much to see here. While we hold our breath hoping for the best:
Second Base remains some sort of contest between Raul Mondesi, Christian Colon, and Whit Merrifield. I would love to see two-time playoff hero Colon get a half-season of at bats to see what he can do, but I suspect the Royals will continue to push #Phenomdesi and plug him in to the 9th spot in the order at the keystone.
Never forget:
Hell yeah Rusty!
Colon is out of options, so he gets a bench spot, as is Cuthbert, so ditto. Add a backup catcher – Butera, inexplicably signed to a 2-year contract this offseason, and Orlando, and that gets you to 13 players. If Salvy has to miss time with his bum knee (thanks again, Drew!), then look for Cam Gallagher to break camp with the big boys, as he is the only other catcher on the 40-Man.
Barring further injury or a trade, that would seem to seal the fates of Merrifield, O’Brien, Dozier, Bonifacio, and Burns to all enjoying spring in Omaha.
On the bump, the rotation seems to take some form of Duffy, Kennedy, Hammel, Vargas, and Karns.
Bullpen locks are Herrera, Soria, Strahm, Young, Wood, and Minor (if healthy). That leaves one spot on the 25-Man roster, and I think the bubble-boys are Alexander, Edwards and NRIs Moylan, Albuquerque, League.
Look for a fourth righty to get the nod over a fourth lefty, and that makes it Edwards vs Moylan, with 40-man spot the determining factor. I hope your dynasty league season doesn’t hinge on that onerous decision.
Others that have a chance to see Kauffman this season include Zimmer, Staumont, and McCarthy, who have all already been assigned to minor league camp. Staumont will need to be added to the 40-man.
40-Man roster spots at risk: Ramon Torres, Bubba! Starling, Jake Junis, Zach Lovvorn, Miguel Almonte
KC Shankland lives in Maple Valley, Washington. His Royals fandom runs from the Royals/Yankees blood feud of the ‘70s to Hosmer’s mad dash home.
‘People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. Obsess over prospects.’
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KC Shanklandhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/royals001/
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KC Shanklandhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/royals001/
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KC Shanklandhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/royals001/
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KC Shanklandhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/royals001/
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