3 Royals with the most to prove in the final month of the season

Even though the Kansas City Royals won't be making the playoffs, this final month of games will still be meaningful to the front office. The Royals will have a decision to make this offseason about the direction of the team. Face of the franchise Bobby Witt Jr is getting closer to his prime years, and they need to decide how many chips to push in this offseason to actually make a run at the playoffs next year, or if they want to take a step back and rebuild.

This final month will be the final marks on a season-long report card, deciding what roles some players will have next season, who they are going to keep this offseason, who they will trade, and who they will allow to walk into free agency. If any players want to prove they deserve to play in Kansas City next year, September is the month to do it.

3 Royals with the most to prove in the final month of the season

Isaac Collins

When the Royals traded for Collins over the offseason, the hope was he would be a big boost to their outfield. He was coming off a season with the Brewers in which he finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year award chase, posting a .779 OPS in 130 games. The switch hitter provided some pop, solid base running, and high on-base skills, but it hasn't translated to 2026.

Collins is hitting .230 this season, and he hasn't been nearly as good on the basepaths. He had a really solid July, where he had an .853 OPS, but besides that, every other month has ended with an OPS under .700. If Collins wants a chance to stay with the Royals during the offseason, he is going to need to prove his worth in the final month of the season.

Noah Cameron

Cameron has put in a really solid season in Kansas City. He has a sub-4.00 ERA in almost 150 innings pitched. He is putting himself in a position to be in the middle of the rotation for next season, but if he can even take another step forward in the final month, he can earn an extremely long leash for 2027.

August was an excellent month for the second-year lefty when he had a 1.87 ERA in five starts, but he's also had two calendar months this season with an ERA north of 5.00. Cameron showing consistency in September will stamp his spot in the 2027 rotation for the entire year.

Steven Cruz

Multiple arms have seen time in the closer role this season for the Royals without too much success. Lucas Erceg has the most save opportunities for the KC this season, but was optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 18. Alex Lange has the second-most this season, but currently boasts an ERA near 6.00. Cruz has the third-most on the team, most of them coming in the last two months.

While there won't be many save opportunities left, Cruz should take advantage of as many as possible. Carlos Estevez likely won't have his team option picked up this offseason, Erceg will need to find his form before they give him a chance in the ninth, and Lange hasn't taken his opportunity. If Cruz can have a solid final month of taking his chances when he's given them, the role could be his to start 2027.

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