Major League Predictions
As two years ago the Royals are not predicted to win the AL Central this year with an almost 30-gam dip predicted as the White Sox win 99 games to win the division. The AL Central is predicted to have the best three teams in the league with only one 90-win team outside of the division.
There are no Royals on the top players list, although Chris Albright, fresh off his offseason trade, is the latest former-Royal-now-Red-Sox predicted to have a monster year following Gilberto Matos’ year last year.
Over in the National League, the NL West may be even more dominant, with four teams predicted to be in the race for the playoffs, with reigning NL Chams the Padres predicted to finish a lowly third in their division. Former Royals top both hitting and pitcher lists, with Juan Minnelli set to justify his bumper contract leading the Giants to an NL West title with Greg Moehring doing the same for the Cardinals.
Opening Day Lineup
There are three new faces among hitters in the Royals opening day roster, with offseason acquisition Josh Mangan just about earning his spot in Spring Training, and being joined by 2042 3rd round pick Tonguar Zimmerman, who will start at SS and 2045 trade acquisition (the deal that sent Gilberto Matos the other way) A.J. Terry, who will start in LF against RHP. Terry is the surprise roster inclusion, pushing Domingo Carrillo down to AAA to start the season despite his big improvements in the development lab this offseason.
Opening Day Roster Transactions
Thursday, March 28th , 2047
Optioned 2B Chad Hart to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Optioned 2B Juan Montelongo to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Demoted C Joe Suggs to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned 2B Argenys Walter to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned 3B DeMario Zamano to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned SS Joe Hyatt to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned CF Chad Ketcham to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned CF Max Schwind to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned CF Domingo Carrillo to Triple A Omaha.
Opening Day Pitching Battery
It is a competitive Spring in the pitching corps as well as the hitters. C.J. Brinkle’s injury made things a little easier but still saw 2046 World Series winners Chad Johnston, Yoichiro Curtsinger, and Jeremy Stockhoff sent down to AAA to start the season.
In the starting rotation, Benton Geldart (2043 and 2046 trade acquisition) and 2042 2nd round pick Mike Krebs both earn places while 2043 8th round pick Chris Curry is the only truly new face in the bullpen.
Opening Day Roster Transactions
Optioned SP Chad Johnston to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Yoichiro Curtsinger to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Jeremy Stockhoff to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP David San Juan to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Chase Paggett to Triple A Omaha.