2008 Kansas City Royals Preview

As Spring Training comes to a close, we look forward to opening day in Detroit.

The Royals closed their 2007 campaign with a strong second half that continued into the offseason.

Key Additions:

Jose Guillen OF

With our primary outfield targets, Andruw Jones, and Torii Hunter signing elsewhere, the Royals picked up Guillen. Jose had a strong season with the Mariners, hitting 23 homers with 99 RBI, both of which would have lead the Royals last season. He also had a .290 avg. with a .353 OBP, and .460 SLG.

Career numbers:

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/stats/individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=115229

&statType=1 

Yasuhiko Yabuta RP

He's no Dice-K, but he'll do. Yabuta, a 12-year veteran in Japan, has made his way into the KC bullpen. New manager, Trey Hillman, has seen Yabuta over the years in Japan and thought very highly of him. His last four seasons in Japan, Yabuta's ERA was never higher than 3.10 with a K/9 IP around 8. He has 553 career stikeouts to only 303 walks and should be a solid addition to the Royals pen.

Career numbers:

http://www.japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=783

Miguel Olivo C

Olivo looks to be a solid backup catcher for John Buck (for now). I, for one, wouldn't be surprised to see him start over Buck. He's a good offensive catcher, hitting 16 homers the past two seasons and averaged 59 RBI. He doesn't walk much though. He's put up TPJ (Tony Pena Jr.)-like numbers the past two seasons in walks (9, 14). 

Career numbers:

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/stats/individual_stats_player.jsp?c_id=kc&playerID=

Alberto Callaspo 2B/SS

I wasn't a big fan of this deal when it first took place. Giving up Billy Buckner, one of our top pitching prospects, for this guy didn't seem smart at the time.

Callaspo has put up consistent numbers in the minors when given playing time. He performs well when he's an everyday starter. Pair him with Royals Triple-A Player of the Year, Mike Aviles, and the future of the middle infield looks pretty good.

This spring, Callaspo has hit for a .340 avg. with a homer and 9 RBI. He's also slugged .547 and has an on-base percentage of .397. 

Career numbers:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Alberto%20Callaspo&pos=

3B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=430948 

What I'd like to see:

Lineup

David DeJesus CF – Consistent player. Until someone better comes along, he'll be the leadoff guy. Maybe Gathright

Mark Teahen LF – It looks like 2006's power outbreak may've been a fluke. He only hit seven bombs last year. His doubles and triples were up, but his avg., OBP, and slugging were down. 

Alex Gordon 3B – Don't let the .247 avg. fool you. He finished the year strong and let’s hope he continues. Gordon had 15 dingers and knocked 60 in. He also had 36 doubles. He will be a great three-hole hitter, hopefully sooner than later. Gordon has the ability to be a 25-HR, 100-RBI guy. 

Jose Guillen RF – He will be our big stick this year. If he can equal his numbers he had last season, which would be great for this team.

Billy Butler DH – GMs around the Cactus League have said he's one of the best hitters in Arizona this year. Butler hit .292 in just 92 games. He's a great line drive hitter, similar to Man Ram in Boston. Has the ability to be a 20-HR 100-RBI guy. Hillman already stated Butler will start the year at DH. 

Ryan Shealy/Ross Gload 1B – Shealy's struggles with the Royals have been well documented. This spring, however, he seems to be a new man. Shealy is tied with Butler in homers (4), has 10 RBI, he's hitting .275, and most importantly, only has four strikeouts in 40 at-bats. Ross Gload is well, gritty. That's about it.

John Buck/Miguel Olivo C – Buck showed some pop early in the 2007 season, but fizzled along the way. Buck and Olivo should split time behind the plate and we should see better numbers at the plate from the catcher position.

Mark Grudzielanek/Alberto Callaspo 2B – Grudz had another typical Grudz-like season. He hit .302 and was a solid contributor, but injuries hurt his play in the field. He might hit as high as second this season, but I'd like to see him in the seven-to-nine range. Look for German (if he doesn't get traded) and Callaspo to get some time at second.

Tony Pena JR SS – Showed great range and consistency in the field and for now, that’s all we need from him. He's not much of a hitter now, but he's by no means the long term answer at short.

Bench

Callaspo, German, Gathright, Olivo, Gload

Rotation

Gil Meche – Had an OK year. Granted, he didn't receive much help from the offense. Gave us 200-plus innings and had an era of 3.16. Had a K/BB ratio of close to 3:1. 

Brian Bannister – Great rookie season. It was awfully kind of the Mets to give us Bannister for Burgos. Led the team in wins (12) and had an ERA of 3.87. Hasn't been great so far this spring.

Zack Greinke – Gotta love him. Pitched great last year out of the ’pen and has looked great this spring. Let’s hope he can put it together as a starter this year.

John Bale – Has had a great spring. Will provide a lefty in our right-handed dominant rotation. Made 26 appearances out of the ’pen last year and finished with an ERA of just above four.

Brett Tomko – Since Hochevar was optioned to Omaha, Hillman favors him as the fifth starter entering the season. Tomko is a veteran guy who hasn't been very successful his past few seasons. Hopefully, Hochevar will take this spot by mid-season.

Bullpen

Hideo Nomo, Johnny Peralta, Jimmy Gobble, Ron Mahay, Yasuhiko Yabuta, Leo Nunez, and Joakim Soria.

Prediction

75 wins and Hillman keeps his mullet the entire season.