Royal Revival (OOTP 21)

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Injured list in bold

PITCHERS (13): 23 -- Mike Minor; 24 -- Jakob Junis; 30 -- Danny Duffy; 32 -- Jesse Hahn; 35 -- Greg Holland; 43 -- Carlos Hernandez; 45 -- Kyle Zimmer; 51 -- Brady Singer; 56 -- Brad Keller; 58 -- Scott Barlow; 59 -- Jake Brentz; 63 -- Josh Staumont; 71 -- Wade Davis

CATCHERS (2): [b]13 -- Salvador Perez; 36 -- Cam Gallagher

INFIELDERS (7): 8 -- Nicky Lopez; 9 -- Ryan McBroom; 15 -- Whit Merrifield; 17 -- Hunter Dozier; 27 -- Adalberto Mondesi; 41 -- Carlos Santana; 49 -- Hanser Alberto

OUTFIELDERS (5): 1 -- Jarrod Dyson; 2 -- Michael A. Taylor; 12 -- Jorge Soler; 16 -- Andrew Benintendi; 28 -- Kyle Isbel

PROJECTED LINEUP: 2B Whit Merrifield, LF Andrew Benintendi, DH Jorge Soler, C Salvador Perez, 1B Carlos Santana, 3B Hunter Dozier, SS Nicky Lopez, CF Michael A. Taylor, RF Kyle Isbel

Despite 100-loss seasons in 2018 and 2019, there was something different despite a pandemic-shortened slate in 2020. With a 26-34 mark (.433) last year, it would have given the Royals a 70-win season over a full 162. Nothing to get overly excited about, but there was real progress last season, especially with much-maligned shortstop Adalberto Mondesi and some of the young pitching, namely Brady Singer, making waves late in the year.

"I could feel it when I set foot on the field for the first time down in Surprise," said skipper Mike Matheny, heading into his first full-slate season with the Royals in 2021. "There's a different aura, character about the team this year. They're hungry, ready to put behind the past few years of disappointment."

There is also a new sense that the Royals are building something with some staying power, signing mainstays Hunter Dozier and Salvador Perez to lengthy extensions this offseason. Even pre-John Sherman as the owner, Kansas City has also done well with in-house extensions, with Perez and Whit Merrifield in recent seasons to look back upon. The signings have renewed hope that the Royals might continue to extend their young players, with Singer and fellow righty Brad Keller, along with Mondesi as immediate possibilities.

However, Mondesi is going to begin the season on the injured list with an oblique strain, giving Nicky Lopez another shot at making good on his promise early in the season. He'll slot in at shortstop with Whit Merrifield dropping down to second base to make room for Kyle Isbel, who pounded the rock in the spring well enough to make the Opening Day roster despite not playing above High-A ball before.

They also brought in free agents Carlos Santana and Mike Minor on multi-year deals, showing that the Royals are anticipating competing for something meaningful over the next handful of seasons. It's still not terribly likely that they will unseat either the White Sox or Twins this season, but there's every expectation that they can be Cleveland's equal -- or better, especially with the heavy personnel losses the Tribe have taken this season. Don't tell that to Matheny, though.

"We expect to compete for the division every year that we're here," he said matter-of-factly on Monday, concluding their spring schedule. "Last year, this year, it's not any different. The goal is to win the division, and get into the playoffs. It's unrealistic to expect to win the World Series most years because it's so hard to do that even for the best franchises, but making the postseason on a consistent basis is a goal that is very attainable here."

The lineup is expected to be much deeper than in years past, with Andrew Benintendi and Carlos Santana adding some protection for Perez, Dozier, and Jorge Soler, who is hoping for a bounce-back year after slumping to a .228 BA in 2020. The only troublesome spots in the lineup are centerfield and second base, but both Michael Taylor and Lopez had strong springs, so there is hope for some carryover into the regular season.

Prior to the extensions of Dozier and Perez, the biggest move of the offseason for the Royals was acquiring Benintendi away from the Red Sox, giving up young outfielders Franchy Cordero and Khalil Lee to the Red Sox and Mets, respectively. They also have two yet-to-be-named players in that deal that they traded away. A mainstay from the 2014 and 2015 World Series squads, Jarrod Dyson, is also back to provide speed, defense, and veteran leadership off the bench.

On the pitching side of the ledger, Brad Keller is going to open up as the Opening Day starter on Thursday, with Mike Minor and Singer getting the ball on Saturday and Sunday. A healthy Danny Duffy in either the bullpen or rotation will go a long way towards deciding the Royals' fortunes this season.

After signalling optimism on using a six-man rotation earlier in the spring, Matheny has since backed off the idea somewhat, saying that they'll take an "innings and pitches" approach, rather than limiting the number of starts. That alignment will likely push Jakob Junis to a long relief role, but both pitchers' arsenals are well-suited for swing assignments.

The only real question in the bullpen is that there is no clear favorite for the closer's role. Greg Holland had six saves after Trevor Rosenthal was traded to San Diego, but he's probably not the only one who will get opportunities -- the Royals really like Josh Staumont as a future closer, but struggled with command despite a phenomenal 33% strikeout rate last year. He walked sixteen hitters in 25 2/3 innings, coming out to a 14.2% walk rate, which is on the high side.

Fellow right-handers Jesse Hahn and Kyle Zimmer also figure to get cracks at closing games if the aforementioned two falter, but at any rate, the bullpen is a deep unit with no real star. Jake Brentz won a job outright as a non-roster invitee, beating out incumbent Richard Lovelady as the only bullpen lefty on the active roster.

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1. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Key additions: RHP Lance Lynn, RHP Liam Hendriks, OF Adam Eaton
Key losses: RHP Dane Dunning, RHP Alex Colome

There have been some setbacks early on, but the White Sox are still a legitimate World Series contender with talents such as Lance Lynn and Liam Hendriks now in the fold, as well as bringing back southpaw Carlos Rodon on a low-risk one-year deal. Injuries struck them early on in the spring, losing outfielder Eloy Jimenez and infielder Nick Madrigal to injuries, necessitating signing former NL All-Star Jake Lamb on a short-term deal to bolster depth. Jimenez's injury is especially worrisome, as he could miss the whole season after surgery to correct a torn pectoral muscle.

Andrew Vaughn, the team's top prospect, is slated to begin the season in left to replace Jimenez; and Luis Robert is back to patrol center. Super-sub Leury Garcia is likely to slide down to second base to spell Madrigal early on, and also return Yoan Moncada at his usual third base post. Veterans Adam Eaton and Adam Engel are likely to split time in right field, although both are still capable of spelling Robert in center occasionally. 2020 AL MVP Jose Abreu is back at first base; and after a brief bout with the coronavirus, appears to be ready to go.

The big question is, how will old-school skipper Tony La Russa mingle with the brash, new-school locker room? Outspoken shortstop Tim Anderson has said there shouldn't be any issues, but there are a lot of young personalities on that team; and if injuries strike and things don't go their way? It will be an interesting storyline to watch, especially with Minnesota and Cleveland still solid squads, and ready to pounce.

2. MINNESOTA TWINS
Key additions: SS Andrelton Simmons LHP J.A. Happ, RHP Alex Colome, RHP Matt Shoemaker, RHP Hansel Robles
Key losses: RHP Jake Odorizzi, OF Eddie Rosario, RHP Trevor May, RHP Sergio Romo, IF Marwin Gonzalez

The Twins' most consequential move of the offseason was inking shortstop Andrelton Simmons to a one-year contract worth $10.5MM; instantly bringing Gold Glove level defense to the most important position on the infield, and the Twins are now free to use Jorge Polanco and Luis Arraez in more of a utility role, as they can both play multiple spots on the field. The offense should also remain potent with Josh Donaldson and Miguel Sano at the corners, and also returns catcher Mitch Garver and outfielders Max Kepler and Byron Buxton.

For pitching, the Twins decided against re-signing Jake Odorizzi; who eventually settled with the Astros, and went with former Yankees left-hander J.A. Happ. Even with an injury in the spring that will keep him out of action for the first month or so, Happ will add some depth to the latter half of the Twins’ rotation, and will earn $8MM in his one-year deal. With Happ, Minnesota is hoping to add some veteran presence to any playoff heebie-jeebies they’re still trying to shake off. His postseason track record in the postseason is not ideal, but will certainly help the Twins compete with the White Sox and Indians in the division race.

The Twins also signed Matt Shoemaker to a one-year, $2 million contract, in hopes that he returns to form. Shoemaker is best known for his impeccable 2014 rookie campaign, going 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA in 136 innings. Since then, he’s had multiple trips to the injured list – but also had a respectable 2019 with Toronto, going 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA over 28.2 innings pitched.

While the bullpen was semi-gutted during the offseason, the Twins do still have some great late-inning relievers in Tyler Duffey and Taylor Rogers, who the latter will likely serve as the closer. One of their more underrated moves over the winter was signing away former White Sox closer Alex Colome, grabbing him for $5 million this year with an option for 2022, weakening your biggest rival for the division crown while improving your club at the same time.

3. CLEVELAND INDIANS
Key additions: SS Amed Rosario, OF Eddie Rosario, IF Andres Gimenez, RHP Bryan Shaw, OF Ben Gamel
Key losses: SS Francisco Lindor, RHP Carlos Carrasco, RHP Danny Santana, 1B Carlos Santana, LHP Brad Hand, OF Tyler Naquin

Despite the heavy personnel losses, this is still a formidable Indians squad that should be in the thick of the postseason race, mainly thanks to a returning pitching staff that was one of the best in baseball last season. 2020 Cy Young winner Shane Bieber is back, already with that and an All-Star bid prior to his 26th birthday. Fellow right-handers Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale figure to slot in the number-two and three roles in some order, while youngsters Cal Quantrill and Triston McKenzie should both prominently feature in the rotation in 2021. McKenzie in particular had a great 2020; with 3.24 ERA and 3.96 FIP, and a 33% strikeout rate.

Closer James Karinchak was the best strikeout artist in baseball, whiffing batters at a stupid 49% rate last year, getting swings-and-misses at a 25% clip as well. They have some questions in their middle inning relief, however, as the spring created more issues than it solved for the bullpen. If the starting pitching can't get through five, six, or seven innings consistently, they may struggle to hold leads to get the ball to Karinchak and fellow righty Phil Maton while the offense gets their footing with so many young players in it.

The lineup is another matter entirely, having been stripped of three of their better players in Francisco Lindor, Carlos Santana, and outfielder Tyler Naquin, whom the team non-tendered last offseason. First baseman/outfielder Josh Naylor, whom they acquired from the Padres in the Mike Clevinger deal at the deadline last season, hit zero homeruns in sixty-five PA after coming over, and other first base contenders in Jake Bauers and Bobby Bradley did not play in the majors last year. Of those three, only Bauers made the big-league roster. They'll need to depend on third baseman Jose Ramirez, and outfielders Eddie Rosario and Franmil Reyes for production early on as the young replacements in the lineup take their lumps.

4. KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Key additions: LHP Mike Minor, 1B Carlos Santana, OF Michael Taylor, OF Andrew Benintendi
Key losses: OF Alex Gordon, 3B Maikel Franco, OF Franchy Cordero

Outside of the Blue Jays and White Sox, it's difficult to imagine an AL team that did more to improve its fortunes than the Royals did, acquiring a bevy of mid-level talents through free agency, and then swinging one of the bigger trades of the offseason to grab Andrew Benintendi from the Red Sox, who played collegiately roughly four hours south of Kansas City at the University of Arkansas. Ranking in the bottom-third of baseball in on-base for the 11th straight season, including a pair of AL pennant seasons, the Royals appear to be committed to improving that figure with the acquisitions of Benintendi and Carlos Santana, who has long been one of the Royals' nemeses.

The aforementioned two add length to what was a very top-heavy lineup, giving newly-minted catcher Salvador Perez and designated hitter Jorge Soler some added protection. Kansas City also figures to get a healthy Hunter Dozier back in the lineup at third base, hoping he can replicate his 2019 season that saw him mount an All-Star bid. They'll also likely move him around occasionally, depending on matchups. Benintendi and Michael Taylor also should improve the outfield defense, which has slipped in recent years despite having a perennial Gold Glove winner in Alex Gordon since the mid-2010's.

They lack a true ace, but have a quartet of solid number-two to number-three quality starters, led by righty Brad Keller. Keller won't miss a ton of bats (16.3% strikeout rate in 2020), but allowed just two homeruns in nearly sixty innings of work, and cut his walk rate by one walk per nine last season. Free agent acquisition Mike Minor, fellow lefty Danny Duffy, and youngster Brady Singer should make up the top four in the rotation. Manager Mike Matheny has hinted that they may employ a six-man rotation at times (as most teams are going towards this season), giving the young arms like Singer's an extended break, and allowing another potential young pitcher, such as Kris Bubic or Jackson Kowar, a chance to start once per week.

Kansas City will also employ a deep bullpen, with the only weakness back there the lack of a go-to lefty. Richard Lovelady has long been thought of as a potential future closer for the Royals, but he's been struck to the tune of an OPS of .982 since the beginning of 2019, covering twenty-one innings. Instead, Lovelady will start the 2021 campaign in Omaha, with Jake Brentz breaking camp with the big-league club. Veteran Greg Holland figures to get the save opportunities early on, with Jesse Hahn and Josh Staumont next in line if he can't replicate his success from last season.

5. DETROIT TIGERS
Key additions: OF Robbie Grossman, C Wilson Ramos, RHP Jose Urena, OF Akil Baddoo (Rule 5)
Key losses: 1B C.J. Cron

Although the Tigers finished last in the AL Central in 2020 for the third time in four years, there was ample evidence of a corner being turned — whether in the arrival of a quartet of prospects (pitchers Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, infielder Isaac Paredes, and outfielder Daz Cameron), the breakouts of Willi Castro and Jeimer Candelario or the drafting (with the No. 1 overall pick) of a generational slugging talent in Spencer Torkelson. The Tigers' management surely recognized the progress, dismissing the affable Ron Gardenhire as manager and replacing him with the equally affable — but World Series title-winning — A.J. Hinch. It's not as if 2021 suddenly becomes a go-for-broke year in Motown, but it is a year to expect a significant leap forward.

Mize struggled in 2020, posting a 6.99 ERA in 28 1/3 innings, but has all the makings of an eventual number-one starter. It's unlikely you'll see him or Torkelson early on this season, as they will both begin the year at the alternate site before heading on to minor league games in May, but other young players like Matt Manning, Tarik Skubal, and Castro are going to play more prominent roles at the outset.

The offense should at least be a little more potent with the additions of Robbie Grossman and Wilson Ramos in the outfield and behind the plate, respectively, but this is still a lineup that is going to struggle to score runs on a consistent basis. Miguel Cabrera is still a capable hitter entering his age-38 season, but no longer has the big-time power he used to, although he did hit ten homeruns in just 204 at-bats last year. Jonathan Schoop has excellent power for the second base spot while sacrificing on-base ability, and his defense is below-average.

Detroit is hopeful that new pitching coach Chris Fetter, who is a Michigan native and played for the University of Michigan in the mid-2000's, will bring some of his new-school pitching acumen to the organization. Multiple Tiger pitchers, including Mize, Skubal, Manning, and Matthew Boyd have all had private workouts over the offseason with Fetter using the university's cutting-edge pitching tech, used by only a handful of collegiate programs in the country, and even fewer MLB squads.

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PITCHING MATCHUPS
04/01: RHP Kyle Gibson (0-0, 0.00) vs RHP Brad Keller (0-0, 0.00)
04/03: RHP Kohei Arihara (0-0, 0.00) vs LHP Mike Minor (0-0, 0.00)
04/04: RHP Jordan Lyles (0-0, 0.00) vs RHP Brady Singer (0-0, 0.00)

SERIES NOTES
-Royals are 6-22 vs. the Rangers since beginning of 2016; DNP each other last year
-Texas posted 22-38 record in 2020; second-worst in the league
-Royals IF Whit Merrifield is 17-of-54 vs. TEX at home (6 2B, 2 HR)

TEXAS INJURED LIST
LHP Brock Burke, Texas (shoulder) -- 60-day IL
OF Willie Calhoun, Texas (knee) -- 10-day IL
RHP DeMarcus Evans, Texas (arm) -- 15-day IL
LHP Jonathan Hernandez, Texas (ankle) -- 60-day IL
C Sam Huff, Texas (knee) -- 10-day IL
RHP Jose Leclerc, Texas (elbow) -- 60-day IL
LHP Brett Martin, Texas (elbow) -- 15-day IL
LHP Joely Rodriguez, Texas (ankle) -- 15-day IL

KANSAS CITY INJURED LIST
SS Adalberto Mondesi, Kansas City (oblique) -- 10-day IL
LHP Daniel Tillo, Kansas City (elbow) -- 60-day IL

[speels]

Very excited to have this back as I was always following your previous one. Good luck with the Royals!!

[artoodeetoo]

Thanks!! Technical issues tanked my last one on here...I think those are behind me now. I back my saves up constantly, which gives me a little peace of mind I'm not going to lose a bunch of info.

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Texas Rangers at Kansas City Royals
Apr 1, 2021	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Texas (0-1)	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	3	6	0
Kansas City (1-0)	0	0	1	4	2	0	0	0	X	7	9	1
W: Brad Keller (1-0) L: Kyle Gibson (0-1) S: None

Thursday, April 1st, 2021
After a slow start in the first few innings, the offense powered through in the middle innings, scoring all seven of their runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings en route to a 7-3 victory on Opening Day. Andrew Benintendi went 2-for-4 with a homerun in his first game as a Royal; hitting a double, scoring twice and driving in a pair. Kyle Isbel singled and drove in a run in his first MLB at-bat, going 1-for-4.

In six-plus innings, Brad Keller posted the victory by striking out five and walking zero. He allowed three earned runs, giving way to the bullpen with a 7-1 lead and two men on base in the seventh inning. Kyle Zimmer would eventually allow those two runners to score, but struck out two in his inning of work. Manager Mike Matheny noted in normal circumstances, he would have let Keller try to pitch through the jam, but with health of pitching being a top concern this season, elected to go to the bullpen with just eighty-six pitches on his ledger.

Former Twins standout Kyle Gibson was chased from the game after just 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven earned and eight hits. He walked one and struck out four. The Rangers' bullpen, thought to be a weakness heading into the season, struck out five and allowed just one hit over 3 2/3 innings of work.

Texas Rangers at Kansas City Royals
Apr 3, 2021	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Extras	R	H	E
Texas (0-2)	0	1	0	2	0	0	3	0	0	1 0	7	14	1
Kansas City (2-0)	0	0	0	0	3	2	1	0	0	1 2	9	17	0
W: Jakob Junis (1-0) L: Josh Sborz (0-1) S: None

Saturday, April 3rd, 2021
Among the Royals' sixteen Spring Training wins, six were of the comeback variety. Facing deficits of 3-0, 6-5, and 7-6 at differing points in the game, the Royals bounced back each time to eventually post a 9-7 victory in eleven innings, capped off by rookie Kyle Isbel's walk-off two-run homerun in the bottom of the 11th. After the Rangers took a 7-6 lead in the 10th, Andrew Benintendi knocked home a run with a two-out double to tie the game again, and send it to the 11th.

"There really isn't a situation where we don't feel comfortable," said manager Mike Matheny. "Their mindset is the same whether they're down 11-0, or up 11-0. It's remarkable."

Isbel went 2-for-5 with three runs scored, driving in two and also drawing a free pass. Benintendi posted a four-hit game, and Whit Merrifield also chipped in with three hits to pace the Royals' attack. Jakob Junis worked two innings, the 10th and 11th, to earn the victory. After allowing three hits and a run in the 10th, he pitched a perfect 11th with a pair of strikeouts, throwing just nine pitches in that frame.

Jarrod Dyson also played a large role in the victory, entering the game as a pinch runner in the ninth. After replacing pinch hitter Ryan McBroom following his single in place of Michael A. Taylor, Dyson stole second base. In the 11th, Dyson singled and stole second again before Isbel's bomb off Josh Sborz to end it.

Texas Rangers at Kansas City Royals
Apr 4, 2021	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Texas (0-3)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1
Kansas City (3-0)	0	4	0	3	0	0	2	0	X	9	12	0
W: Brady Singer (1-0) L: Jordan Lyles (0-1) S: None

Sunday, April 4th, 2021
After a shaky first inning, the much-anticipated season debut for Brady Singer went off without a hitch; as the young righty sparkled in five shutout innings of a 9-0 whitewashing of the Rangers, capping off a three-game sweep. He scattered four hits, walked just two, and struck out six in eighty-eight pitches. The bullpen also shined, striking out six and allowing just three baserunners in four total innings worked.

"Couldn't have imagined it going much better," said Singer in the post-game Zoom conference. "I wanted to do better in the first, but I was pretty amped out there in front of fans for the first time at this level, so after that, Cal (Eldred) settled me down, and it was much better from there. Everything was working pretty well."

Michael A. Taylor and Kyle Isbel each had three hits for the Royals, with Andrew Benintendi continuing to mash the ball with two more hits. Salvador Perez hit his first homerun of the season, a three-run shot in the fourth inning that put the game out of reach early, giving the Royals a 7-0 lead against Jordan Lyles. Hanser Alberto and Nicky Lopez also each drove in a pair of runs, going 1-for-4 each.

MLB NEWS
04/01 -- Nationals, Mets series postponed due to coronavirus concerns; Nats-Braves also in doubt
04/02 -- D-Backs place IF Eduardo Escobar (hamstring) on 10-day IL; re-call IF Geraldo Perdomo
04/03 -- White Sox activate OF Adam Engel from the 10-day IL

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PITCHING MATCHUPS
04/05: LHP Danny Duffy (0-0, 0.00) vs LHP Logan Allen (0-0, 3.86)
04/07: RHP Jakob Junis (1-0, 0.00) vs RHP Shane Bieber (1-0, 2.70)

SERIES NOTES
-Royals 6-5 vs. CLE in 2020, including winning last three @ CLE
-Indians RHP Shane Bieber 4-0 in seven career starts vs. KC
-Royals 1B Carlos Santana playing first game against former team

KANSAS CITY INJURED LIST
SS Adalberto Mondesi (oblique) -- 10-day IL
LHP Daniel Tillo (elbow) -- 60-day IL

CLEVELAND INJURED LIST
RHP Cam Hill (wrist) -- 60-day IL