3 KC Royals who've already won a roster spot next year thanks to their September

It is hard to believe the KC Royals season is nearly over. Fans wait anxiously for Opening Day every year, but the first 30 games often prove the ultimate direction of that season. The Royals season has been tough to watch for the most part, but the results and individual performances in September offer some hope for next season.

These KC Royals should start 2024 with the major-league club.

I get it. It seems like the Royals perform well in September and October, just to lay an egg the following March and April. Frankly, signs point to this September being different. As of Sept. 23, the team's .791 OPS is the best in September since 2011, while the pitching's 58% winning percentage is the best since 2013. That harkens back to a better era of Kansas City baseball and gives me some hope.

No matter the team's performance, there are some players who did not start the season with Kansas City making their case for the club's 2024 roster. Let's look at the three with not only strong cases but also ones who made it during September.

C Logan Porter

Is it premature to say Logan Porter is an Opening Day player after only seven career games? Probably so. Is he the best backup option the Royals have behind the plate if the Royals move on from Salvador Perez this winter? Absolutely. That possibility seems too real to ignore, and Porter is making his case for next season.

The late-blooming Porter made his long-awaited MLB debut on Sept. 12. He quickly knocked out his first MLB hit and RBI, having a two-hit, two-RBI performance against the Chicago White Sox. He recorded his first MLB home run four days later against the Houston Astros too, achieving three career milestones as the season winds down. The Royals have used Porter exclusively as a catcher, a necessity with both Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin likely done for the season.

Since making his debut, Porter has been an above-average hitter (.778 OPS and 112 wRC+) and reliable behind the plate. He may not be a long-term option behind the plate, but he provides an in-house option for catching depth next season. Fermin cooled off exponentially to end the 2023 season. The two will be competing for a spot behind Perez if he stays, or possibly a starting job if the veteran moves on this offseason.

INF Nick Loftin

I get excited whenever I see Nick Loftin in the Royals lineup. I am a fan and happy that the Royals promoted the utilityman to the 26-man roster before this season ended. The 32nd overall pick from the 2020 MLB Draft has proven to be valuable to the Royals, no matter where he hits or fields.

Loftin came bursting onto the scene after his September promotion, tallying the second-most hits in five games for a Royals player starting their career. Much like Paulo Orlando started his career with triples upon triples in 2015, Loftin had a penchance for reaching second base. His three doubles through his first five games also tie for the second-most in Royals history, only trailing Tim Spehr.

While Loftin has cooled off some, he is still having a very strong debut. His .420 on-base percentage through his first 14 games was the second-highest among any Royals player in the same span. His five doubles tie Vinnie Pasquantino for the team lead in that span, while Loftin ranks in the top two in hits, RBIs, batting average, and more. He has made MLB hitting look easy at times and has served Kansas City well in the batting order's bottom half.

Loftin's best calling card is his ability to play all over the field. In fact, he played four different positions in his first three games. He has multiple appearances at first, second, and third base under his belt while helping off the bench as a pinch hitter (1 hit, 1 RBI as a pinch hitter this season). He has no errors and a perfect fielding percentage at all three bases so far, showing little difficulty transitioning from one to another. Baseball Savant gives him -1 outs above average (OAA) at both first and second base while posting a positive 1 OAA at third.

The 2024 Royals already have a starter at all three of Loftin's defensive positions, assuming Pasquantino returns healthy. But they do not have a clear backup at all three. Loftin could be the next man up at any base while having value as a platoon designated hitter or pinch hitter. Loftin's bat is solid, and the glove is palatable for a spot starter. He may not be a star, but Loftin will provide valuable depth for the 2024 Royals.