2009 MLB Preview - Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals
Manager: Trey Hillman (2nd season)
2008 Record: 75-87 (4th AL Central)


Added: 1B Mike Jacobs (FLA), OF Coco Crisp (BOS), RP Kyle Farnsworth (DET), P Horacio Ramirez (CWS), RP Doug Waechter (FLA)
Lost: 2B Mark Grudzielanek (FA), OF Joey Gathright (CHC), RP Jose Capellan (HOU), RP Leo Nunez (FLA), RP Ramon Ramirez (BOS)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. CF Coco Crisp (.283, 55 R, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 20 SB) 2. SS Mike Aviles (.325, 68 R, 10 HR, 51 RBI) 3. LF David DeJesus (.307, 70 R, 12 HR, 73 RBI) 4. RF Jose Guillen (.264, 66 R, 20 HR, 97 RBI) 5. 1B Mike Jacobs (.247, 67 R, 32 HR, 93 RBI) 6. DH Billy Butler (.275, 44 R, 11 HR, 55 RBI) 7. 3B Alex Gordon (.260, 72 R, 16 HR, 59 RBI) 8. C Miguel Olivo (.255, 29 R, 12 HR, 41 RBI) 9. 2B Alberto Callapso (.305, 21 R, 0 HR, 16 RBI)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Gil Meche (14-11, 3.98 ERA, 183 K) 2. Zack Greinke (13-10, 3.47 ERA, 183 K) 3. Brian Bannister (9-16, 5.76 ERA, 113 K) 4. Kyle Davies (9-7, 4.06 ERA, 71 K) 5. Luke Hochevar (6-12, 5.51 ERA, 72 K)

Bench
C John Buck, IF Ryan Shealy, IF/OF Mark Teahen, IF Ross Gload, IF Willie Bloomquist, IF Tony Pena Jr.

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Joakim Soria (42 SV, 67.1 IP, 39 H, 66 K, 1.60 ERA), Kyle Farnsworth, Ron Mahay, Juan Cruz, Joel Peralta, Doug Waechter, John Bale

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Fantasy Studs: RP Joakim Soria
Fantasy Sleepers: SS Mike Aviles, 3B Alex Gordon, OF David DeJesus, P Zack Greinke, P Kyle Davies

Men In The Minors: 1B Eric Hosmer, 2B Johnny Giavotella, SS Mike Moustakas, SP Dan Cortes, SP Carlos Rosa

Home Ballpark: Kauffman Stadium (Grade 8/10)

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Team Outlook: Call me crazy but I think the Royals are on the rise. That's right. Last year's 75-87 record looks bad but in reality, that was quite an improvement for this team. Not to mention they didn't finish in the cellar (thanks to the Tigers). This year's team is even better too. It starts with the lineup. There is speed at the top, thanks to Crisp. Plenty of pop in the middle, with Guillen and the addition of Jacobs. And even the bottom of the lineup has potential with guys like Gordon and Callapso. And with players like Teahen, Buck and Bloomquist on the bench, they have depth as well. The pitching staff isn't as bad as the numbers may suggest either. Meche should be much improved. Greinke has #1 starter written all over him, thanks to his electric stuff. Bannister is expected to rebound from an off year. And Davies and Hochevar showed promise at times. The bullpen has gotten a makeover. Farnsworth should be a great set-up guy for the most underrated closer in baseball in Soria. If this pitching staff pitches consistently and Meche and Greinke in particular win 15-18 games, this team could be the 2009 version of the 2008 Rays. Maybe not all the way to the World Series but enough young talent to shock the baseball world and win a division title.

Next Preview: Los Angeles Angels