#29 - The Kansas City Royals

Here it is! The MLB preview! And no, you didn't miss draft pick number 30, Frankie didn't write it yet. So here, a day ahead of schedule, are your favorite hapless franchise, the Kansas City Royals. I'll give you a hint. They're not going to win again this year. Kansas City is in full youth movement, and get ready to embrace those who might develop into stars on other teams in the next few years.

I'll remind you, like I did last year, that the Royals have not played October baseball since 1985, making them just a little bit harder to root for than the Pirates. Oh, who am I kidding, the Pirates are pretty miserable. They probably go hand in hand. Kansas Cityites and Pittsburghers should probably all join hands and sing of peace and harmony and of a world where they can be competitive. Maybe it will be the subject of Scorsese's next film. Where the star crossed cities, like Romemo and Juliet, must fight adversity and Jack Nicholson in order to join forces and make the playoffs.


Which one is Romeo?

So, the Kansas City Royals come to the 2012 party with a lot fewer questions than they did last year. The youth movement is alive and kicking, and the Royals will bring a lot more excitement to the table than the 2011 version. Mike Moustakas (.263/5/30)) and Eric Hosmer (.293/19/78) will play their first full seasons in the majors and man the corners. Johnny Giovatella (.247/2/21) will start his first season at second base. But wait, there's more: Lorenzo Cain and Salvador Perez (.331/3/21) should also earn their first opening day nods. That's right, five of the Royals nine projected men in the starting lineup have not played a full season in the majors. A sixth, Alcides Escobar (.254/4/46/26 SB), only has played about one and a half They average 70 games played between them. However, all five were very highly rated prospects and performed well in limited time last year, so they should be good to go for 2012.

Anchoring the lineup will be the three seasoned vets. Billy Butler (.291/19/95), Alex Gordon (.303/23/87), and Jeff Francoeur (.285/20/87) will be the middle of the lineup, trying to give the rest of young guys enough support to grow. Butler might be one of the most underrated hitters in baseball. Gordon, when healthy, can be a great power threat. Francoeur is a solid veteran who can hopefully impart his fantastic work ethic to some of the younger guys. In many respects, this may be one of the best lineups the Royals have had in some time.

So, why do I not think that the Royals will perform very well? They still don't have much of a returning pitching staff. Returning staff ace Luke Hochevar (11-11, 4.68) has never lived up to his draft promise, but maybe this will be his year. Bruce Chen (12-8, 3.77) was fourth on the depth chart last year, and I'm sure his stuff is about the same, but now he's number two. Third on the depth chart is the Royals' big acquisition of the offseason: Jonathan Sanchez (4-7, 4.26). Let's imagine the conversation as he entered the clubhouse for the first time in KC.

Pitching Coach: Welcome to KC!
JS: ...
PC: We're really excited to have you here. Oh, nice ring.... we don't have those here.
JS: ...
PC: So, what are you doing this October? I've got a nice timeshare in Albuquerque.
JS: (Wistfully whistles "I Left My Heart in San Francisco".)

You all know and love him. He's a head case, but his stuff is electric. Maybe a change of scenery was all he needed to reach the next level. Of course, then he won't be a Royal after 2012.

Rounding out the rotation are household names Felipe Paulino (4-6, 4.11) and David Duffy (4-8,5.64). Duffy stuggled a bit last year after being called up late, but maybe the experience helps him earn the fifth starter role.

Here are your 2012 Kansas City Royals:

C Salvador Perez
1B Eric Hosmer
2B Joey Giovatella
3B Mike Moustakas
SS Alcides Escobar
LF Alex Gordon
CF Lorenzo Cain
RF Jeff Francoeur
DH Billy Butler
SP Luke Hochevar
SP Bruce Chen
SP Jonathan Sanchez
SP Felipe Paulino
SP Danny Duffy
CL Joakim Soria

Best Case Scenario:
The Royals become Linfected with Linfluenza as they just can't seem to lose. Sanchez looks to be the AL Cy Young winner as hitters are baffled on every pitch. Jeremy Lin proves to be a two-sport athlete and takes over second base. As the Giants collapse under injuries in July, Sabey Sabes has a mental breakdown and trades Lincecum to the Royals, adding to the Linsanity. More Lin puns Linexplicably follow but it doesn't matter as the Royals Lin the World Series.

Worst Case Scenario:
More of the same out of Kansas City; plenty of promise, no results. Moustakas, Hosmer, Cain, Giovatella, and Perez all fizzle early. Gordon suffers yet another series of injuries, and it's back to square one as Kansas City wait three more years for its next series of prospects to develop.

What Will Probably Happen: 68-94, 5th in the AL Central

And Your Song!