The Kansas City Royals enthusiasts have a lot to be hopeful about. This up and coming organization is full of promising players in their batting order. Let's take a look at that predicted starting batting order with our Kansas City Royals prophecies.
Projected Lineup
Sal Perez (Catcher) - In his first season in the major leagues, the 21-season-old impressed many with his quality play. He batted .331 with 3 HRs and 21 RBI in just 39 contests. It is highly doubtful that he'll maintain those stats during the course of a full season, and he also needs to grow some power. He certainly has plenty of potential, but he'd need a couple more years to realize it and be a major contributor down the line.
Eric Hosmer (First Base) - The Royals definitely accept that they've got a future star in their hands. In just 129 contests, Hosmer batted .293 with 19 HRs and 78 RBI. The greatest thing about him is that he's not simply a threat at the plate, but a huge upgrade on defense. Some say that he would just struggle in his 2nd season, but he is not likely to let this rare chance pass him by and should produce even better stats in 2012.
Johnny Giavotella (Second Base) - Giavotella has the starting job in the bag notwithstanding competition from fellow second baseman Chris Getz this spring. But he needs to boost and show the job is his to keep. He made his debut in the major leagues last year, but hit just .247 with 2 home runs. He also isn't that great defensively, so he must work twice as hard and show big strides if he would like to keep his job.
Alcides Escobar (( Shortstop) - The Royals acquired Escobar from the Brewers in a deal that sent ace pitcher Zach Greinke off. The 25-season-old is a defensive expert who has found himself in numerous highlight reels through his career. He wishes to develop his offensive game, but he came on robust during the last month of the season by batting for an average of .324. Also he is a big-time threat on the basepads. He has 18 triples and 36 steals during the past 2 years.
Mike Moustakas (3rd Base) - Another guy coming off his debut in the big leagues last season is Mike Moustakas. The 23-season-old struggled early on, but improved as the season rolled along, and ended up batting .263 with 5 HRs and 30 RBI over 89 contests. The team is counting on him to keep on what he started last season and appear as a force in the middle of the batting order this season.
Alex Gordon (Left Field) - After struggling mightily in his first 4 years with Kansas City, the former No. 2 selection in 2005 ultimately lived up to his potential last season. He batted .303 with 23 HRs and 87 RBI, but to completely turn his career around and take that next step, he needs to put up equivalent if not better stats this season.
Lorenzo Cain (Center Field) - Another player acquired in the Greinke deal is Lorenzo Cain. He was nevertheless , limited to just 6 contests because of the success the other outfielders were having. Cain has hit .302 in 169 career contests between the Brewers and Royals. He improved his power in the minors last season, but not enough for the team to fully notice. He definitely is an upgrade at center with the potentiality to hit for a high average and notch up a lot of steals.
Jeff Francoeur (Right Field) - After playing on his 4th team in three seasons, Francoeur stunned a large number of people by hitting .285 with 20 HRs, 87 RBI and 22 steals. Though the team hopes that he will be able to build on what he did last season, I suspect that it is a far better bet that he can regress back to his career stats.
Bill Butler (Designated Hitter) - Last year, when he was moved to Designated Hitter, Butler was disinclined at first, but in the end, the change failed to faze him as his offense continued to sparkle. He hit .291 with 19 home runs and 95 RBI. Butler has hit right. Around .300 with at least 15 home runs and 78 RBI in every one of the last 3 seasons. He turns just 26 in April and his best years are still ahead of him. He could be in line for a breakout year if his power continues to develop.
Projected Lineup
Sal Perez (Catcher) - In his first season in the major leagues, the 21-season-old impressed many with his quality play. He batted .331 with 3 HRs and 21 RBI in just 39 contests. It is highly doubtful that he'll maintain those stats during the course of a full season, and he also needs to grow some power. He certainly has plenty of potential, but he'd need a couple more years to realize it and be a major contributor down the line.
Eric Hosmer (First Base) - The Royals definitely accept that they've got a future star in their hands. In just 129 contests, Hosmer batted .293 with 19 HRs and 78 RBI. The greatest thing about him is that he's not simply a threat at the plate, but a huge upgrade on defense. Some say that he would just struggle in his 2nd season, but he is not likely to let this rare chance pass him by and should produce even better stats in 2012.
Johnny Giavotella (Second Base) - Giavotella has the starting job in the bag notwithstanding competition from fellow second baseman Chris Getz this spring. But he needs to boost and show the job is his to keep. He made his debut in the major leagues last year, but hit just .247 with 2 home runs. He also isn't that great defensively, so he must work twice as hard and show big strides if he would like to keep his job.
Alcides Escobar (( Shortstop) - The Royals acquired Escobar from the Brewers in a deal that sent ace pitcher Zach Greinke off. The 25-season-old is a defensive expert who has found himself in numerous highlight reels through his career. He wishes to develop his offensive game, but he came on robust during the last month of the season by batting for an average of .324. Also he is a big-time threat on the basepads. He has 18 triples and 36 steals during the past 2 years.
Mike Moustakas (3rd Base) - Another guy coming off his debut in the big leagues last season is Mike Moustakas. The 23-season-old struggled early on, but improved as the season rolled along, and ended up batting .263 with 5 HRs and 30 RBI over 89 contests. The team is counting on him to keep on what he started last season and appear as a force in the middle of the batting order this season.
Alex Gordon (Left Field) - After struggling mightily in his first 4 years with Kansas City, the former No. 2 selection in 2005 ultimately lived up to his potential last season. He batted .303 with 23 HRs and 87 RBI, but to completely turn his career around and take that next step, he needs to put up equivalent if not better stats this season.
Lorenzo Cain (Center Field) - Another player acquired in the Greinke deal is Lorenzo Cain. He was nevertheless , limited to just 6 contests because of the success the other outfielders were having. Cain has hit .302 in 169 career contests between the Brewers and Royals. He improved his power in the minors last season, but not enough for the team to fully notice. He definitely is an upgrade at center with the potentiality to hit for a high average and notch up a lot of steals.
Jeff Francoeur (Right Field) - After playing on his 4th team in three seasons, Francoeur stunned a large number of people by hitting .285 with 20 HRs, 87 RBI and 22 steals. Though the team hopes that he will be able to build on what he did last season, I suspect that it is a far better bet that he can regress back to his career stats.
Bill Butler (Designated Hitter) - Last year, when he was moved to Designated Hitter, Butler was disinclined at first, but in the end, the change failed to faze him as his offense continued to sparkle. He hit .291 with 19 home runs and 95 RBI. Butler has hit right. Around .300 with at least 15 home runs and 78 RBI in every one of the last 3 seasons. He turns just 26 in April and his best years are still ahead of him. He could be in line for a breakout year if his power continues to develop.
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