Royals preseason capsule: Bobby Witt Jr. again the key to playoff run

Kansas City Royals

2024 record: 86-76 (2nd place, AL Central)

He gone: RHP Brady Singer.

New faces: RHP Carlos Estevez, INF Jonathan India, OF Joey Wiemer.

Biggest question entering Opening Day: Bobby Witt Jr. is going to be OK, right? X-rays came back negative after the Royals' shortstop was hit in the left forearm by a fastball during a March 12 spring training game. He suffered a contusion and will continue to be evaluated. Witt told reporters, "If it was October or April or March 27, I'd be good." Royals fans and brass hope his body was listening.

Top prospect: Kansas City chose 1B Jac Caglianone sixth overall in last season's draft after his solid college career at Florida. The slugger flexed his power during the spring but must increase his contact and limit his strikeouts -- note the lack of a "k" in his first name -- to keep developing.

Breakout player: OF Hunter Renfroe's first season in Kansas City wasn't what the club hoped for, as his power and overall production (15 HRs, 52 RBIs, .229 BA) last year dipped among injuries to his back, left toe and right hamstring. He came to spring training leaner and healthier and is determined to show he still wields a reliable and potent bat.

2025 outlook: The Royals transformed from a 106-loss squad in 2023 to an ALDS team one season later behind a solid pitching staff that compiled the No. 8 team ERA (3.76) in baseball. RHPs Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha and LHP Cole Ragans anchor a rotation built to get the ball to a bullpen that now flaunts Estevez, owner of 57 saves over the past two seasons. If new leadoff man India can help ignite an offense led by all-everything SS Witt Jr., runner-up in the AL MVP race to the Yankees' Aaron Judge last season, the Royals are primed to keep progressing in the playoffs. Witt finished with 32 HRs, 109 RBIs and a .332 BA in 2024.

--Field Level Media