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benp28 · 06-05-2024, 09:29 AM

OSA predicts the Royals to regress in 2028, with a 78-84 record and -58 run deferential. Clearly the changes in the outfield and in the rotation haven’t been favourably viewed and early season results may set the tone for a challenging season with the playoffs the stated owner goal!

Hitters

Catcher

With the departure of Jesus Rodriguez in the offseason, there was an open spot to back up Ivan Herrera at Catcher. Rodolfo Duran was given another (final) chance up against offseason 40-man addition Caleb Lomavita. In the end it wasn’t close as Lomavita’s 86 wRC+ and .738 OPS meant that Duran (10 wRC+, .448), out of option years, will be DFA’ed.

Starter: Ivan Herrera
Back Up: Caleb Lomavita

Infield

Major offseason acquisition 1B Luis Garcia didn’t have the best of springs (83 wRC+, .695 OPS), but having arrived on the final day of February there is faith he will produce once the season starts.

2B Nick Loftin, SS Bobby Witt Jr. and DH Robert Perez Jr. all had great springs and are ready to go.

3B Maikel Garcia struggled with a .674 OPS, struggling to outperform 2027 utility infielder Kevin Made (85 wRC+, .663 OPS) – with both players performing better against lefties, this is a position to watch as the season develops.

For the final INF position, Rule 5 pick Gregory Barrios severely struggled in his first Spring and the Big Leagues might be too much for him at this point. His ratings, however, suggest otherwise, and his rival for the position is a 38-year old Nick Ahmed who has under .575 over the last two seasons in MLB. In the end youth won the day with Ahmed traded – eating 70% ($1.8m) of his salary – to the Angels for MiL pitching prospect (2024 8th Rounder), Sam Gerth.

Luke Adams and DJ Gladney look like AAAA 1B. With two options years left each they will start the season at AAA, but time is running out for them to make it with the Royals organisation.

Jose Ramos took some Spring training innings and can play defensively if there are middle infield injuries but is not a regular Major Leaguer. He has two more option years so will be a useful AAA player again.

1B Luis Garcia
2B Nick Loftin
3B Maikel Garcia / Kevin Made
SS Bobby Witt Jr.
INF Kevin Made / Maikel Garcia
INF Gregory Barrios
DH Robert Perez Jr.

Outfield

Offseason trade acquisitions Wyatt Langford (109 wRC+, .784 OPS while learning 30/60 RF) and Jacob Jenkins-Cowart (53 wRC+, .606 OPS) had very different springs. Meanwhile, Tyler Gentry (out of option years) mashed .837 with a 120 wRC+ to earn a spot on the opening day roster. Jorge Ruiz did enough to secure the CF spot while Matthew Etzel’s ability to play all three positions meant that it will be Jenkins-Cowart who starts at AAA. Gentry will be asked to learn 1B on the fly with Perez unplayable there now.

LF Tyler Gentry
CF Jorge Ruiz
RF Wyatt Langford
OF Matthew Etzel

DH Hunter Owen has an interesting profile (45 Contact | 70 Power | 60 Eye) and with Perez Jr. entering arbitration years he will remain at AAA but ready to make his debut if the appropriate occasion arises before challenging Perez in 2029. His Spring certainly made an impression combining a BB rate of 30% with a SO rate of 40%.

Arms

Chase Burns and Drew Beam both did enough to earn positions in the starting rotation to start the year although Burns walk rate (19.6%) will have to improve in-season for him to be a long-term solution. Last year’s surprise package Anthony Veneziano struggled during the spring with an unsustainable 2.3 HR/9 rate and there are fears of severe regression but the only left-handed pitcher in the rotation keeps his job, for now. Rounding out the rotation are newly extended Mason Barnett alongside Freddy Peralta, who is playing for a TO contract in 2029.

The bullpen was fairly settled coming into the offseason with seven returning pitchers at Spring Training. However, the arrival of Liam Norris as part of the Josh Smith trade, along with FA agent signing Jose Ruiz meant some competition was inevitable.

Indeed, both Norris and Ruiz pitched well enough to start in the bullpen, with 2027 high performers Raimon Gomez, DJ Herz, and Julian Aguiar all returning. Gomez and Herz will act as stoppers to start the season while it was encouraging to see Aguiar’s development lab success help him to a team low 2.39 FIP over the Spring.

Scott Effross is on the decline and it may be a ‘heart decision’ but he will start his final season with the Royals. Likewise, Kevin Kelly pitched well when promoted in September last year but a 16.7% walk rate in the Spring has him on a short leash.

Ryan Brady and Cade Cavalli had poor springs and will start the season in AAA while Hayden Wesneski suffered a strained calf which hindered his encouraging Spring so he will join them to get back up to speed. He will be top of the list for a call up when the need arises.

That left the final spot between 2027 over achiever Liu Fuenmayor and 2026 FA signing and AAA starter Josiah Gray. Fuenmayor and Gray really struggled through the Spring but Gray’s superior stuff gave him the final spot with Fuenmayor headed to AAA for the first time after going straight from AA to the Big Leagues last year.

SP Mason Barnett
SP Drew Beam
SP Chase Burns
SP Freddy Peralta
SP Anthony Veneziano

RP Julian Aguiar
RP Raimon Gomez
RP DJ Herz
RP Liam Norris
RP Jose Ruiz
RP Scott Effross
RP Kevin Kelly
RP Josiah Gray

06-05-2024, 09:29 AM	#17
benp28 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2024 Posts: 875	2028 Roster Preview OSA predicts the Royals to regress in 2028, with a 78-84 record and -58 run deferential. Clearly the changes in the outfield and in the rotation haven’t been favourably viewed and early season results may set the tone for a challenging season with the playoffs the stated owner goal! Hitters Catcher With the departure of Jesus Rodriguez in the offseason, there was an open spot to back up Ivan Herrera at Catcher. Rodolfo Duran was given another (final) chance up against offseason 40-man addition Caleb Lomavita. In the end it wasn’t close as Lomavita’s 86 wRC+ and .738 OPS meant that Duran (10 wRC+, .448), out of option years, will be DFA’ed. Starter: Ivan Herrera Back Up: Caleb Lomavita Infield Major offseason acquisition 1B Luis Garcia didn’t have the best of springs (83 wRC+, .695 OPS), but having arrived on the final day of February there is faith he will produce once the season starts. 2B Nick Loftin, SS Bobby Witt Jr. and DH Robert Perez Jr. all had great springs and are ready to go. 3B Maikel Garcia struggled with a .674 OPS, struggling to outperform 2027 utility infielder Kevin Made (85 wRC+, .663 OPS) – with both players performing better against lefties, this is a position to watch as the season develops. For the final INF position, Rule 5 pick Gregory Barrios severely struggled in his first Spring and the Big Leagues might be too much for him at this point. His ratings, however, suggest otherwise, and his rival for the position is a 38-year old Nick Ahmed who has under .575 over the last two seasons in MLB. In the end youth won the day with Ahmed traded – eating 70% ($1.8m) of his salary – to the Angels for MiL pitching prospect (2024 8th Rounder), Sam Gerth. Luke Adams and DJ Gladney look like AAAA 1B. With two options years left each they will start the season at AAA, but time is running out for them to make it with the Royals organisation. Jose Ramos took some Spring training innings and can play defensively if there are middle infield injuries but is not a regular Major Leaguer. He has two more option years so will be a useful AAA player again. 1B Luis Garcia 2B Nick Loftin 3B Maikel Garcia / Kevin Made SS Bobby Witt Jr. INF Kevin Made / Maikel Garcia INF Gregory Barrios DH Robert Perez Jr. Outfield Offseason trade acquisitions Wyatt Langford (109 wRC+, .784 OPS while learning 30/60 RF) and Jacob Jenkins-Cowart (53 wRC+, .606 OPS) had very different springs. Meanwhile, Tyler Gentry (out of option years) mashed .837 with a 120 wRC+ to earn a spot on the opening day roster. Jorge Ruiz did enough to secure the CF spot while Matthew Etzel’s ability to play all three positions meant that it will be Jenkins-Cowart who starts at AAA. Gentry will be asked to learn 1B on the fly with Perez unplayable there now. LF Tyler Gentry CF Jorge Ruiz RF Wyatt Langford OF Matthew Etzel DH Hunter Owen has an interesting profile (45 Contact \| 70 Power \| 60 Eye) and with Perez Jr. entering arbitration years he will remain at AAA but ready to make his debut if the appropriate occasion arises before challenging Perez in 2029. His Spring certainly made an impression combining a BB rate of 30% with a SO rate of 40%. Arms Chase Burns and Drew Beam both did enough to earn positions in the starting rotation to start the year although Burns walk rate (19.6%) will have to improve in-season for him to be a long-term solution. Last year’s surprise package Anthony Veneziano struggled during the spring with an unsustainable 2.3 HR/9 rate and there are fears of severe regression but the only left-handed pitcher in the rotation keeps his job, for now. Rounding out the rotation are newly extended Mason Barnett alongside Freddy Peralta, who is playing for a TO contract in 2029. The bullpen was fairly settled coming into the offseason with seven returning pitchers at Spring Training. However, the arrival of Liam Norris as part of the Josh Smith trade, along with FA agent signing Jose Ruiz meant some competition was inevitable. Indeed, both Norris and Ruiz pitched well enough to start in the bullpen, with 2027 high performers Raimon Gomez, DJ Herz, and Julian Aguiar all returning. Gomez and Herz will act as stoppers to start the season while it was encouraging to see Aguiar’s development lab success help him to a team low 2.39 FIP over the Spring. Scott Effross is on the decline and it may be a ‘heart decision’ but he will start his final season with the Royals. Likewise, Kevin Kelly pitched well when promoted in September last year but a 16.7% walk rate in the Spring has him on a short leash. Ryan Brady and Cade Cavalli had poor springs and will start the season in AAA while Hayden Wesneski suffered a strained calf which hindered his encouraging Spring so he will join them to get back up to speed. He will be top of the list for a call up when the need arises. That left the final spot between 2027 over achiever Liu Fuenmayor and 2026 FA signing and AAA starter Josiah Gray. Fuenmayor and Gray really struggled through the Spring but Gray’s superior stuff gave him the final spot with Fuenmayor headed to AAA for the first time after going straight from AA to the Big Leagues last year. SP Mason Barnett SP Drew Beam SP Chase Burns SP Freddy Peralta SP Anthony Veneziano RP Julian Aguiar RP Raimon Gomez RP DJ Herz RP Liam Norris RP Jose Ruiz RP Scott Effross RP Kevin Kelly RP Josiah Gray