David Schoenfield at ESPN gives a progress report for each team this winter.
Progress report: The Royals look strong in every facet of run prevention — rotation, bullpen, defense, the ability to attack
all sorts of hitters. The offense is more middle of the pack with the same shortcoming (walk rate) the Royals have had for virtually their entire existence.
It’s not an idle comment. The franchise’s existence dovetails with the division era (since 1969), during which Kansas City’s 7.7% walk rate is the lowest in baseball by a good margin. The 2026 forecast is for 8%, so … progress? Only two teams project to walk less. It’s not an issue that will be fixed via free agency, so the onus will fall on the new hitting coaches. The Royals do have a need for a righty hitter who can play center — the ideal of which would be Bader. It depends on the price, of course, especially as Kansas City is one of the teams whose local television revenue figure is currently in limbo.
Baseball America has an updated top 30 list of Royals prospects. Bill Mitchell discusses the system in a chat here.
We’ve got multiple questions on David Shields so I’ll cover him here. Don’t be too concerned about Shields’ fastball velocity. He had a hamstring issue earlier in the year and was still tentative with his velo well into the season, but then it ticked up to 94 mph in the Carolina League playoffs. The fact that he thrived without that added velo speaks well to the strength of his above-average breaking balls and above-average control, as well as his command and feel to pitch. Keep in mind that he didn’t turn 19 until September. I saw Shields up to 95 shortly after the draft and expect him to get back to that range next year, as he’ll learn when to reach back for that velo. It should be an above-average fastball with good life as he matures physically and continues to learn how to manage his pitches.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Keep wonders if the Royals should pursue Starling Marte of the Mets.
If the Royals acquire Marte, it wouldn’t be as an everyday outfielder. Rather, it would be as someone who can rotate in and out of the lineup, depending on the matchup. Surprisingly, Marte has reverse splits over his career, with a 116 wRC+ against righties and 112 wRC+ against lefties, according to Fangraphs. He doesn’t need to solely hit against lefties to be productive over the course of a 162-game season, which is a plus in his favor.
Caleb Moody of Kings of Kauffman wonders if the Royals could be players in the Asian free agent market.
Chris Studley at New Baseball Media profiles the Royals’ farm system.
The Twins hire former Royals outfielder Michael A. Taylor as an outfield instructor.
Salvador Perez was actually unlucky with home runs and could have hit more than he did.
The Rays acquire infielder Brett Wiseley and pitcher Ken Waldichuk from the Braves.
Free agent Kyle Tucker has reportedly met with the Blue Jays, Dodgers, and Mets.
The Rangers are focused on pitching and are not looking to add bats.
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