Royals Seek Outfield Solutions Amid Strong Start to Season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals enter the weekend with a 23-16 record, placing them fourth in the American League and holding the second Wild Card spot. Their starting rotation has performed exceptionally well, keeping the team’s pitching strong, especially as their top four relievers maintain ERAs of 2.65 or better.

However, the lineup presents a more significant challenge. Over the winter, Kansas City traded from its rotation depth, sending a pitcher to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for infielder Jonathan India. Though India boasts a solid .340 on-base percentage, he struggles at the plate, currently batting .237 with a .313 slugging percentage.

As a result, the blame for the Royals’ lackluster offense primarily falls on the outfield unit, which ranks second worst in the majors with a wRC+ of 72. The collective batting line of .229/.286/.332 is 28% below league average.

While some outfielders have contributed offensively, several have been optioned to Triple-A after poor performances. Center fielder Kyle Isbel, known for his defense, has only a .253 on-base percentage, walking just once in 98 plate appearances.

The struggle for production isn’t new for the Royals; since 2019, the team’s outfield has posted the lowest wRC+ in Major League Baseball. Their homegrown players have had even less success.

One glimmer of hope is top prospect Jac Caglianone, last year’s No. 6 overall pick. The former Florida Gators first baseman has begun playing right field for the Royals, making five starts in the past 15 days. With a remarkable .328/.404/.586 slash line and eight home runs in 136 Double-A plate appearances, fans are urging for his promotion to the majors.

General Manager J.J. Picollo discussed Caglianone’s development, stating, “We like what he’s doing. We’re happy with what he’s doing. We’re trying to allow him to develop properly as a hitter.” He noted that the organization would consider promoting Caglianone when the offense stabilizes.

However, concerns about his performance remain, especially as he adapts to major league pitching. “When you get a strike thrown to you in the major leagues and you don’t do something with it, that’s a missed opportunity,” Picollo said.

The Royals also contemplated acquiring outfielder Leody Taveras from the Texas Rangers but ultimately held off due to financial considerations. Taveras has a sub-par .231/.285/.350 batting line, though even that would represent an improvement for the Royals.

Postseason aspirations hinge on the team’s spending habits. With a payroll of $126 million — the largest since 2017 — the Royals have seen a significant increase in their budget under owner John Sherman.

Injuries have complicated matters, particularly with setup man Lucas Harvey sidelined over a month due to a strained muscle. Manager Matt Quatraro acknowledged the continued discomfort following live batting practice for Harvey, complicating his return timeline.

As for the bullpen, despite Harvey’s absence, pitchers like Josh Staumont and others have stepped up, lessening the urgency for immediate reinforcement. With the Royals eyeing potential trades and the internal development of Caglianone, fans remain hopeful for improvements as they aim for a strong season.