KC Royals: Who plays left field if Andrew Benintendi leaves?

The KC Royals have a pair of outfielders who can move to left field.

Nick Pratto and Brewer Hicklen aren’t the only viable candidates to replace Andrew Benintendi. Kansas City has two potential replacements on its active roster.

Edward Olivares is making the best of his first sustained opportunity to play regularly since coming to KC from San Diego two years ago in the Trevor Rosenthal deal. Although he missed over a month earlier this season with a quad strain, he’s hitting .308 with a .357 OBP, his three homers are just two short of his career high, and he hasn’t committed an error.

Primarily a right fielder, Olivares has played left three times this year and in 28 of 89 career outfield appearances. So he’s quite capable of moving over from right.

Then there’s Kyle Isbel who, like Olivares, spends most of his time in right field, where he’s been deployed 26 times this year. But he’s also played left seven times in parts of two big league seasons and 31 times as a minor leaguer.

The Royals, though, are waiting for Isbel to hit. His .276/.337/.434 line in 28 games last season was fine, but he’s slashing only .203/.234/.308 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 52 games this year.

Kansas City remains high on Isbel, so he could get a shot at left field.

The Royals have options in left field if they trade Andrew Benintendi.