The Royals are predicted to take a slightly backward step in 2033 with a 94-68 record (2 fewer wins than predicted in 2032), albeit with an improved run differential of +181 (10 higher than 2032). This record would see them qualify for a Wild Card playoff spot, behind a one-hundred-win White Sox team.
Billy Mumaugh is expected to have himself a year, a .318/.403/.553 line predicted for him while
Mike Hoffer is expected to pick up where he left off with a 3.79 ERA behind 9.1 K/9.
Catcher
Dave Holcombe’s departure sees
Jonathan Gerew with a new battery partner, 2029 10th round pick
Walt Day making the opening day roster for the first time.
David Isaza, a 2026 scouting discovery, spent time at Spring Training and will open at AAA as a defensive whizz.
Starter:
Jonathan Gerew 2027 8th Round Pick
Back Up:
Walt Day 2029 10th Round Pick
Infield
It was a crowded infield during Spring Training with the Royals surfeit of second basemen creating some decisions to be made.
Tim Storer is entrenched as the starter with only
Chris Maguire having the potential to unseat him. Storer was solid through the Spring, cementing his role while Maguire did enough to unseat 2032 back up infielder
William Bergolla for an opening day roster spot; neither
Dan Colligan nor
Jesus Vela did enough and will start at AAA.
The promotion to the Big Leagues of
Danny Petty and
Juan Zubia meant that there was also a crunch at Third Base. This has seen
Jeremy Rogerson move to First Base to start the season, with Petty the everyday starter at Third. Zubia had a successful Development Lab defensively and opens the season on the roster.
This does make
Luis Zesati’s position challenging, and while he will open the season in AAA, a solid defensive start by Rogerson could open the Royals up to trading Zesati.
Bobby Witt Jr. will start the season at SS for the Royals for the 11th season in a row.
Juan Delgado was on the Spring Training roster and opens at AAA as a defensive replacement if needed.
1B
Jeremy Rogerson 2027 2nd Round Pick
2B
Tim Storer 2028 1st Round Pick
3B
Danny Petty 2028 1st Round (S) Pick
SS
Bobby Witt Jr. 2019 1st Round Pick
INF
Luis Zesati 2032 Trade (Washington)
INF
Chris Maguire 2031 Trade (Dodgers)
INF
Juan Zubia 2027 International Amateur
Outfield
The core of the outfield returns for the 2033 Royals with homegrown stars
Billy Mumaugh and
Jimmy Goodman at the corners. Offseason acquisition
Bryce Eldridge will act as 4th outfielder while taking the majority of bats at DH. Eldridge’s arrival meant that
Will Gasparino’s time as a Royal came to an end as he was out of options.
Enny Mijhail Van Dyke struggled in Spring Training and will start at AAA with every chance of seeing Major League time in 2033.
At Centerfield, there was another crunch with reliever/outfielder
Sheng-En Lin alongside last season’s starter
Luis Gotay and 2026 International Amateur
Edgar Manzo. Gotay’s defense was reported to have taken a dip over the offseason so the Royals chose to start with all three on the roster and see how the first month of the season goes.
LF
Billy Mumaugh 2029 1st Round Pick
CF
Luis Gotay 2030 Trade (Arizona)
RF
Jimmy Goodman 2027 1st Round Pick
OF/DH
Bryce Eldridge 2032 Free Agent
OF
Edgar Manzo 2026 International Amateur
OF
Sheng-En Lin 2029 Waivers (Angels)
The rotation for the 2033 Royals picks itself with all five pitchers having finished the season in the rotation –
Mason Barnett,
Cade Townsend,
Aiden May,
Mike Hoffer, and
J.J. Paniagua.
With the extra bats opening the season, the bullpen will rely on two-way players
Sheng-En Lin and
Danny Petty and that made places very competitive.
Offseason free agent signing
Blade Tidwell will open in the stopper role with stalwart
William Schmidt. Fellow stalwart
David Hagaman is back, as is
T.J. Brock and
Marcos Paz.
Colin White opens the season in the bullpen but needs to demonstrate an ability to stick after past struggles.
Jon Holtz is the new internal player to the bullpen having pitched in AAA last year.
Spring Training 40-man roster players who didn’t earn a spot included previous major league relievers
Nicanor Berns,
Jonathan Fleri, and
Jake Early, as well as
Eric Cook while starters
Lazaro Espinal and
Josh Olaniyan will start at AAA ready to step up should they be needed.
SP
Cade Townsend 2029 Trade (Yankees)
SP
Mason Barnett 2022 3rd Round Pick
SP
Aiden May 2028 Trade (Angels)
SP
MIKE HOFFER 2027 3rd Round Pick
SP
J.J. PANIAGUA 2029 2nd Round Pick
RP
MARCOS PAZ 2025 1st Round Pick
RP
T.J. Brock 2031 Free Agent
RP
David Hagaman 2028 Trade (Pittsburgh)
RP
Jon Holtz 2029 Trade (Philadelphia)
RP
William Schmidt 2024 2nd Round Pick
RP
Blade Tidwell 2032 Free Agent
RP
Colin White 2026 7th Round Pick
3B
DANNY PETTY 2028 1st Round (S) Pick
CF
Sheng-En Lin 2029 Waivers (Angels)