Don't Laugh Now: Kansas City Royals Will Win AL Central

(Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)

Guillen will need to be an integral part of the Royals' offense if they are to succeed in 2009.

Infielders

The Royals will boast one of the most balanced infields that they have had in a long time, which includes newly-acquired first baseman Mike Jacobs and oft-moved second baseman Mark Teahen on the right side, while young guns shortstop Mike Aviles and third baseman Alex Gordon look to anchor the left side. 

Jacobs adds to another category that the Royals have been lacking—power.  He cranked 32 home runs for the Marlins last year, a stat that Royals fans are not exactly accustomed to seeing. 

The Royals have been waiting and waiting for Teahen to develop into a major-league hitter, but he struggled again in 2008, hitting .255 with 15 home runs. 

However, the seven home runs he hit in spring training earned him a spot as a starter and continue to give the Royals hope. 

The additions of Crisp and Jacobs put Teahen at second base, a position where he likely won't have as much pressure to hit for power.

Shortstop Aviles put himself into the running for American League Rookie of the Year in 2008, as he hit .325 with 10 home runs and 51 runs batted in in just 102 games. 

Although the batting average is likely to decline in 2009, another productive season from Aviles, both offensively and defensively, will only help the Royals' chances.

Last but not least, highly-touted third baseman Alex Gordon looks to have his breakout season in 2009.

Gordon slightly improved his numbers from his rookie season in 2007 to 2008, but the Royals hope that he will make a big improvement in both categories of power and speed in 2009. 

Gordon's success is not only key to that of the Royals in 2009, but of the franchise's progression in the future.

Designated Hitter/Catchers

Aside from Gordon, the Royals have another highly-touted prospect as their designated hitter.  22-year-old Billy Butler has also yet to have his breakout season, but his numbers at the Triple-A level are impossible to ignore. 

With him being so young, it is almost a foregone conclusion that he will find a way to produce big numbers at the major league level.

The Royals also boast one of the better catching tandems in the American League with Miguel Olivo and John Buck.  Although neither is an All-Star catcher, both have shown decent power and a good ability to work with their pitchers behind the plate.

With the acquisitions that the front office has made and the likely development of the highly-touted young players, the Royals put forth one of the most balanced teams in the American League Central.

They have improved their on-base percentage and speed with the addition of Crisp, their power with the addition of Jacobs, and their bullpen with the addition of Cruz and Farnsworth. 

Adding those players and improving their talent all-around (not letting players like Tony Pena Jr. and Joey Gathright take up a combined 550 at-bats, like in 2008), the Royals will be able to shock the baseball world and head to the playoffs for the first time since 1985.

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