KC Royals Wish List: A leadoff, on base percentage machine

The KC Royals have done a nice job addressing holes in the team this offseason, now it is time to lock in the leadoff spot.

Happy Holidays and welcome back to Kings of Kauffman’s “KC Royals Wish List” series. For the 12 days leading up to Christmas, our writers will share their holiday wishes for the Royals. Whether they’re more offseason improvements, success in 2021, or hope for the future, anything could be in store. Today, our wish is for a top of the order presence.

What the KC Royals could use is a player to set the table at the top of the lineup—someone who will get on base by hook or by crook and be a threat on the basepaths.

The team has been in a funk of not being able to reach base for several seasons. With firepower in the middle of the lineup now, having a weapon that will be able to come around on the doubles and home runs that will be supplied is crucial.

The 2017 version of Delino DeShields would be a welcome sight. A .347 OBP, 29 steals, and his range in centerfield would be a nice upgrade.

DeShields is old Royals thinking though—they are spending money now, so why not Marcell Ozuna? It would have been a great signing last year and could have scored a cheaper multi-year deal. Adding Ozuna would make the lineup one of the best in the league.

Maybe that is too wishful thinking, like my kids wanting iPads and the new PlayStation for Christmas. Converted shortstop Jurickson Profar could be a good mid-range option. He turned in a career-best .343 OBP while slugging seven blasts for the San Diego Padres.

Profar tied for fifth-best in the National League in outfield assists and stole seven of eight bases attempted. He is a contact hitter who will keep the opposition distracted while on base.

Whoever it is, the KC Royals need the presence at the top of the lineup they have not had since names like Johnny Damon and Willie Wilson were terrorizing the outfield and basepaths.