Kansas City Royals: Projecting Their 2011 Starting Lineup
With Spring Training right around the corner, it is time to start looking forward to the '11 MLB season which begins at the end of next month.
The Kansas City Royals will have some changes in their 2011 lineup, as they have acquired a slick fielding shortstop in the Zack Greinke trade and also signed a couple of former Braves prospects.
These projections could be modified some as Spring Training gets going, but for now, this is the lineup is that I see the Royals going with this season.
1. CF Melky Cabrera
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The ex-Yankee was brought in this offseason to provide some stability in a weak KC outfield.
Although some might frown at the idea of Cabrera leading off, he has had experience doing this during his career and he is the best option to do so on this current Royals' team.
He won't steal a ton of bases, but he is a solid hitter and should be able to consistently set the table for the rest of the lineup.
2. C Jason Kendall
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The 36-year old veteran catcher is still very durable for his age, as he played in 118 games at his catcher position last season.
The Royals experimented with putting Kendall in the two-hole most of the time last year, and they will likely continue down that path this year.
He has also shown the ability to get on base throughout his career by having a .366 lifetime OBP, and he will need to continue this in '11 for the Royals lineup to be successful.
3. 1B Billy Butler
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Butler was very good in the three-hole last year, and will likely resume his role there this year.
He is easily the Royals best hitter in their current lineup and seems to get better each season.
Many look for Billy to start hitting for more power this season, as he is only 24 and has still not reached the prime of his career to this point.
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4. DH Kila Ka'aihue
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The "Hawaiian Punch" of the Royals batting order will take over as the full-time DH this season and should be in the cleanup spot.
Kila will be looking to rebound from a season where he hit just .217 and eight homers in his 52 games with the big-league club last year.
He has the power to be a 30 homer, 100 RBI guy in this league, and we should find out for sure if he can be that kind of hitter this year.
5. RF Jeff Franceour
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"Frenchy" was also added this offseason to help lead a young outfield and also help improve one of the worst offenses in baseball.
Francoeur is also a weapon in the field, as he made just four errors in 132 games last season, and has won a gold glove in the past.
He should be able to see some good pitches to with patient hitters like Butler and Kila hitting before him.
6. 3B Mike Aviles
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Known for one of the strangest batting stances in all of baseball, Aviles fits in nicely in the sixth slot in the Royals' lineup.
He is a career .298 hitter and will be counted on more this year to produce than in years past.
Aviles is a very versatile infielder who can play SS, 2B, and 3B, and he could also fill in at those other positions at times during the season.
7. LF Alex Gordon
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The Royals have been waiting on Alex Gordon to break out of his shell for quite some time, and he gets another chance in 2011.
The former University of Nebraska All-American should benefit by having an improved lineup this season but the verdict is still out on Gordon's career in Kansas City.
He has to get it going this year or the Royals might just give up on the former first round pick completely.
8. SS Alcides Escobar
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The one-time #1 prospect in baseball was dealt to the Royals in the Zack Greinke trade back in December.
He is an immediate upgrade over former starter Yuniesky Betancourt but his offense is still a question mark.
Escobar also adds a lot of speed to the KC lineup and once he gets on base, he is always a threat to steal a base.
9. 2B Chris Getz
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Getz's audition as the Royals starting second basemen did not go well last season in his first year with the club.
After the team traded 2B Alberto Callaspo in July, Getz became the imminent starter at second for the future.
He is arguably the weakest hitter in the Royals' lineup and desperately needs to improve up on his .237 batting average and .302 OBP from '09 in order to remain a starter with this team.
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