Royals Opening Day Roster Projection 1.0: Any surprises?

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Four games into his club's Cactus League schedule, KC Royals manager Matt Quatraro's lineups and in-game substitutions have been the personnel mish-mash so typical of spring training. Because Kansas City must establish its 26-man active roster no later than Opening Day morning, facilitating the crucial decisions the team must make between now and then, and with the exception of those Royals lucky enough to have spots already locked in, the second-year KC skipper must get as many looks as possible at players in the running for the balance of those first-game slots.

So far, Quatraro is doing precisely what's required of him. He used 18 position players in each of the first four games and deployed nine pitchers in Friday's spring opener, eight Saturday, seven Sunday, and another seven in Monday's 6-0 victory over the Cubs.

Based far more on pre-spring considerations than on those four Cactus League contests, though, what's known is this: catcher Salvador Perez, first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., third baseman Maikel Garcia, right fielder Hunter Renfroe, and center fielder Kyle Isbel, will all be in the Opening Day lineup.

But what about the pitching staff and the rest of the roster? What pieces will ultimately complete the puzzle?

Battle for fifth Kansas City rotation spot looms

Royals starting rotation

Michael Wacha

Seth Lugo

Brady Singer

Cole Ragans

Jordan Lyles

Daniel Lynch IV

Consider four spots in Kansas City's rota spoken for when the season starts. The Royals didn't acquire Michael Wacha for the bullpen, Seth Lugo is certain to join the rotation, Brady Singer isn't a reliever, and Cole Ragans, who struck out five in two innings against the Angels Sunday, might turn into an ace.

That leaves the fifth spot open for the moment; who ultimately fills it will be one of the club's more difficult spring decisions. Will Quatraro pick Jordan Lyles, he of the miserable individual 2023 season, or Daniel Lynch IV, a pitcher the Royals have always viewed as a starter and has the potential to be a good one? Time will, as they say, tell.

Moving on...

KC Royals Bullpen

Will Smith

John Schreiber

Matt Sauer

Jake Brentz

Chris Stratton

Nick Anderson

Carlos Hernández

The Royals have more than their share of relievers vying for bullpen jobs, but three are definite locks — Will Smith, who's preparing for his second Kansas City tour of duty, should be the closer; veteran John Schreiber, picked up in a trade with Boston earlier this month; and Rule 5 acquisition (from the Yankees) Matt Sauer, who the Royals must, to sidestep losing him to New York or another club, keep on the roster all season. (Some time on the Injured List is permitted).

Offseason acquisitions Chris Stratton and Nick Anderson are solid candidates to break camp with the major league club: Stratton is out of options, and the Royals probably didn't get Anderson for minor league depth. Despite a poor performance in Friday's Cactus League opener, Brentz will almost certainly open the season with Kansas City because without him, the Royals risk beginning the campaign with no lefties in the bullpen. Look for Hernández to round out the Opening Day relief corps — assuming he overcomes a recent shoulder concern, he'll get one more chance to prove himself.

KC Royals Infield

Vinnie Pasquantino (1B)

Michael Massey (2B)

Bobby Witt Jr. (SS)

Maikel GarcÍa (3B)

Adam Frazier (UTIL)

Salvador Perez (C)

Freddy Fermin (C)

Bobby Witt Jr. is the most secure Royal of all and returns to the shortstop position he played so well last season. Vinnie Pasquantino shows no signs of the season-ending shoulder injury he suffered in 2023; his return to first base could prove invaluable. Only a catastrophic spring at the plate will prevent Massey from keeping the second base job ... at least to start the season. And despite some fan sentiment to move him to second, Maikel GarcÍa will be back at third.

Salvador Perez is, of course, No. 1 behind the plate. Freddy Fermin, and not recent signee Austin Nola, will back up Perez; Nola is playing on a major league contract, but has a minor league option left, giving KC the luxury of keeping promising Fermin in the big leagues while having an excellent catcher in reserve at Triple-A Omaha.

Adam Frazier figures to be the primary infield backup. He's might be bit more versatile than Garrett Hampson ... but more on Hampson in a moment.

KC Royals Outfield

MJ Melendez (LF)

Kyle Isbel (CF)

Hunter Renfroe (RF)

Dairon Blanco (RES)

Kansas City's outfield picture is, for now, a little more settled than it has been during the last few spring training camps. Because the club remains high on, and committed to, MJ Melendez and Kyle Isbel, slate them for left and center, respectively, and Hunter Renfroe is a given in right.

The Royals will give Blanco, a lethal base-running threat and capable defender, the outfield reserve job, but don't be surprised if he ends up playing more than do typical backups.

KC Royals Designated Hitter

It won't quite be a "designated hitter by committee" situation for Kansas City, but more than one capable hitter will get ample time as DH, including Perez, who'll use his share of the assignment for days of half-rest, and Renfroe and Witt from time to time.

Expect Nelson Velázquez, though, to be the primary DH.

KC Royals Bench

Garrett Hampson

Don't be fooled, or even concerned, that we seem to be putting only Garrett Hampson on Kansas City's bench. Hampson is, of course, a capable and versatile player (a bit more versatile than Frazier), and his status as an established big league veteran utility man without any minor league options strongly suggests the club won't cut him.

But he's not the only Royal who can play more than one position regularly or in an emergency — Frazier can, and will, move around, Witt can play third if need be, García can work at third, short, or second, the club has been increasing Perez's time at first, Melendez can play either corner outfield spot, as can Blanco, and Renfroe and Velázquez have both spent time at first.

What all that versatility means is that this is a club stocked with players who can competently back others up, so there's no need to pack the dugout with role players.

How accurate are our projections? We'll see, and we'll have at least one more projection before spring training ends. Stay tuned for Royals Roster Projection 2.0.

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