At least Kansas City held the All-Star festivities last year? Mark Trumbo hit some serious dingers during Home Run Derby. The Derby is my favorite part of All-Star Weekend. So much fun to watch as a fan, especially someone like Trumbo who's got some legit power. Love to see Paul Goldschmidt in it this year. Anyway, the Royals have put some effort into fielding a quality pitching staff, bringing in James Shield and Wade Davis from Tampa, retaining a solid Jeremy Guthrie and getting Ervin Santana via trade. Better than 1-4 last year if Santana shows some consistency. Let's take a look at the Royals:
Starting Lineup
LF Alex Gordon
SS Alcides Escobar
1B Eric Hosmer
DH Billy Butler
3B Mike Moustakas
C Salvidor Perez
RF Jeff Francoeur
CF Lorenzo Cain
2B Chris Getz
This lineup in terms of order can vary differently from what I am projecting, so let's break down the players. Gordon finally has figured it all out and while he's not a leadoff type, he does well there. Escobar finally came through with the bat; his speed makes him perfect at the top of the lineup (I would prefer him 1, Cain 2, Gordon 3). Hosmer must rebound, period. Glad I did not take him last year. Butler finally has added power to his game: he's an all-around elite hitter. Moustakas had an awful second half, if he holds it up, he's a 30 HR guy. He's only 24, so I like what he could do. Perez is the most underrated offensive catcher in the game: the dude flat out hits. I also believe in Frenchy a little: he seems committed to proving to people that trading Wil Myers was worth it. Cain is talented: unfortunately, his injury ruined what could have been a nice season. Getz sucks, but hopefully Johnny Giavotella edges him out. I think this offense might put it all together this year: watch out.
Starting Rotation
SP James Shields
SP Jeremy Guthrie
SP Wade Davis
SP Ervin Santana
SP Bruce Chen
Some have questioned whether Shields is a staff ace. Let me ask you this: is he a top 30 pitcher? Yes. Which = ace. Shields is better in domes, yes, but he goes to a division of pitchers parks from a hitters park division, which is big. I think Guthrie pitches like he did in KC: his track record is closer to that than the last year. Davis should transfer back to the rotation just fine. I am worried about Santana and Chen. I do believe Santana will be out to prove doubters wrong and I will feel better about this rotation when Felipe Paulino comes back: he was fantastic before getting hurt and having TJS. At least there is depth and in terms of performance and injury history, it's better than Cleveland and CWS, which gives them the slight edge.
Bullpen
CL Greg Holland
SU Aaron Crow
SU Tim Collins
SU Kelvin Herrera
SU Luis Coleman
SU Everett Teaford
This bullpen, at least Holland - Herrera are much more talented than you think. Holland will blossom into the next great closer. Crow's a very good set-up man. Collins is short, but he gets you out (93 K's in 69.2 innings) and Herrera was great last year. An underrated pen for sure.
The rotation gives KC the edge over Cleveland and Chicago. I think this team will surprise and push to 85 wins. They won't overtake Detroit, but they'll look to a brighter future.
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