3 big assumptions KC Royals fans shouldn't make

Shaky KC Royals Assumption No. 2: Nicky Lopez will end the season a Royal

Nicky Lopez finishing every season with the Royals for years to come seemed plausible when, saved from banishment to the minors by Adelberto Mondesi's late spring training injury in 2021, he took over at shortstop, hit .300, and just missed winning the Gold Glove that should have been his.

But Lopez regressed last year, his .227 average falling back into line with the .240 he hit in in 2019 and the even worse .201 he struggled to in 2020. And although the .474/.524/.632 he slashed for Team Italy in this year's World Baseball Classic sparked hope, the .059 (1-for-17) he hit in the Cactus League all but snuffed it out.

Lopez made the Opening Day roster, but with Michael Massey at second base, Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop and Hunter Dozier at third, Lopez has no place to start, and veteran utility man Matt Duffy suddenly becoming a Royal could mean he has serious competition for the reserve role for which his superb defense makes him so suitable. Even at 32, though, Duffy probably has two or three decent seasons left, and his eight-season .280 big league average renders him more trustworthy at the plate than Lopez.

The Royals love Lopez's glove. But as good as it is, and unless his hitting improves and Duffy's fails, it might not be enough to keep him in Kansas City.

Is there any other big assumption that isn't safe?

Shaky KC Royals Assumption No. 3: Bobby Witt Jr. will stay at shortstop

By all accounts, shortstop is where Bobby Witt Jr. and the Royals want him to play. The mutual preference is understandable considering short is his "natural" position and he's spent most of his time there since beginning his professional career in 2019—through Sunday, he's played shortstop 229 times and third base 83.

In the grand scheme of things, though, what Witt and his employer want may not be what's best for the Royals. That's because Hunter Dozier is back at third base, one of the many spots the club has never been totally comfortable with him playing; if he doesn't improve offensively and defensively, the Royal brass may be forced to find another third baseman.

The logical person to replace Dozier, should the need arise, is Witt. He's certainly athletic enough to learn the position, and moving him to third would make room for Maikel Garcia, the fine Triple-A shortstop MLB Pipeline ranks as KC's third-best prospect and who'll be in the majors as soon as the Royals find a place to squeeze him in. (He's off to a hot 6-for-14 start at Omaha with eight RBIs in three games).

So, given Dozier's disappointing bat (.226 over the last three seasons), his less-than-optimal defense, and the ominous presence of Witt and Garcia, don't be shocked to see the Royals move Witt to third and bring up Garcia to play short.