Catchers
The catcher combination of Sam Hart (90 wRC+) and Edgar Rivera (105 wRC+) performed well over the course of the season, adding 3 WAR at the position with positive framing from both options. There are options in the Minor Leagues but this combination are favourites to keep their jobs for 2036.
Infield
Rogelio Camacho (51 wRC+) couldn’t keep the strikeouts down (43%) to offset his power. Unless he can rectify this over the offseason it is difficult to see a place for him in the Royals opening day roster for next year. Bobby Witt Jr. (99 wRC+) moved across to 1B as his defence continue to decline; while not the future of the position this could be a hiding place for the Kansas City legend.
At second best, a new star was born as Edgar Mir (147 wRC+) won two Rookie of the Month Awards and his 4.8 WAR was only limited by his midseason injury. Ed Nicholson (98 wRC+) was a league average bat but his defence didn’t align with his ratings and makes him at risk to replacement.
Jeremy Rogerson (97 wRC+) moved back to 3B midseason due to Witt Jr.’s decline and struggled in an injury hit season. A solid post season will hopefully see him bounce back in 2036, especially with Eric Rose (96 wRC+) offering similar return for a much cheaper price if Rogerson can’t replicate his early years.
Tim Storer (79 wRC+) was the star of the post season with the bat but had quietly put together an elite defensive season stepping in to everyday SS when the Ed Nicholson experience did not work out. He is in arbitration but will certainly return to the Royals in 2036, with a firm grip on the starting SS position.
Outfield
It was an injury riddled year for the Royals lauded outfield. Drew Burress (122 wRC+) was limited to 67 games, while Billy Mumaugh (132 wRC+) managed 104, Enny Van Dyke (135 wRC+) 115, and Jimmy Goodman (98 wRC+) 125, many at CF early in the season. That meant Alex Duke (122 wRC+) appeared in 119 games, and he did a good job for the team but that is the not the solution the Royals want. Danny Rose (93 wRC+) joined mid season and was able to cover the CF position better than other options in the Royals organisation. Tim Spears (78 wRC+) and Albert Thomas (106 wRC+) both had a cup of tea without demanding they be retained so it is likely that the outfield core will return in 2036.
Offseason / Early 2036 Overview
C Sam Hart
1B Bobby Witt Jr. Free Agent
2B Edgar Mir
3B Jeremy Rogerson
SS Tim Storer Arbitration
LF Billy Mumaugh
CF Drew Burress
RF Jimmy Goodman
C Edgar Rivera
INF Ed Nicholson
INF Eric Rose
OF Enny Mijhail Van Dyke
OF Alex Duke / Danny Rose
Starters
Despite the postseason meltdown, the starters earned their record for the lowest ERA among starters in the American League with three pitchers earning over 5 WAR.
Daniel Nava (70 FIP-) struck out over 25% of batters he faced while posting a 3.09 ERA for his season. Mike Hoffer (74 FIP-), however, may have been the star of the rotation, his 5.3 WAR coming from 195.2 IP, holding opponents to .222. Curt Bogans (72 FIP-) was the third of the 5-WAR club, his coming from 182.1 IP, and only giving up 13 HRs all season.
Eddie Baquerizo (93 FIP-) and Cade Townsend (98 FIP-) complemented the top half well, adding over 5 WAR between them from 354.1 innings.
Bullpen
Running a more traditional bullpen worked out well for the Royals. New Closer Chris Wagner (57 FIP-) racked up 39 saves from 45 chances across 65 games, giving up only 44 hits. Connor Phillips (66 FIP-) was wildly overpaid (the cost of the Daniel Nava trade) but contributed over 1 WAR from his 54.1 innings, and provided 2 starts. Jon Holtz (77 FIP-) was the final star, giving up 34 hits in 48.1 innings before injury ended his season early.
Offseason / Early 2036 Overview
SP Daniel Nava Arbitration
SP Mike Hoffer Arbitration
SP Curt Bogans
SP Eddie Baquerizo
SP Cade Townsend Arbitration
RP William Schmidt Arbitration
RP Jon Holtz Arbitration
RP Connor Phillips Free Agent
RP Yoshinobu Yamamoto Free Agent
RP Bill Nicklas Arbitration
RP Chris Wagner
RP Mason Barnett
RP Chase Dollander