Fantasy Baseball Breakdown: Is There Value in the Royals Offense?

Eric Stashin

Mar 24, 2011

Many people immediately write off the Kansas City Royals, and rightfully so.

It feels like an eternity since they were actually a competitive baseball team, doesn’t it?

People are now beginning to pay attention to them—but not for the here or now.

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Instead, all we hear about is the future of the team. We hear about the next wave of prospects who will help to carry the Royals back to relevance.

However, that's not to say that fantasy owners should just ignore the pieces that the Royals currently have, because there are actually some that can help us to fantasy titles in 2011.

Let’s take a look at the team, position-by-position and see where there might be some value.

Catcher: Jason Kendall

He’s likely going to open up the season on the DL, but once healthy he should be the main option in 2011.

The fact of the matter is that he hasn’t been relevant since 2006, and even that’s a stretch. Don’t even bother—even in two-catcher formats.

First Base: Billy Butler

He’s going to split his time between 1B and DH, but for these purposes I’ll just list him here.

Of all the Royals hitters, he clearly has the highest upside.

I know people have been disappointed in his power production, but over the past two seasons he has 96 doubles.

At 24-years old (he’ll turn 25 in April), can we really say that he isn’t going to gain some power and turn some of those doubles into home runs?

Is he going to develop into a 40 HR guy? Not likely, but if he becomes a 25-30 HR hitter to go along with a .300-plus average and potential for 100 RBI, is anyone going to complain?

That’s the type of player he easily could become, making him a great option, especially as a corner infielder.

Second Base: Mike Aviles

He gets a lot of love in fantasy circles, but I’m not completely seeing it.

Yes, he brings average potential to the table, but where else is he going to help you?

We are talking about a 10/10 player who has never scored more than 68 runs or driven in more than 51 RBI.

He’s a nice player, but I’d consider him a low-end middle infielder for now.

Shortstop: Alcides Escobar

He struggled in his rookie season, but moving out of Milwaukee (who rarely ran under the old regime) should do wonders.

He is the same player who had 42 SB at Triple-A in ’09, so don’t underestimate his abilities to pile up the steals if given the green light.

He has shown a good ability to make contact (13.8 percent strikeout rate), and if he can improve his walk rate (6.5 percent in ’10), there is a lot of room for growth.

Keep in mind, he struggled with a .264 BABIP in ’10—something that he should significantly improve upon, especially with his speed.

There has also been talk about using him in the No. 2 hole, adding to his potential upside what with the significant increase in runs potential.

As a late round sleeper, he’s a great selection.

Third Base: Wilson Betemit

He’s a placeholder for Mike Moustakas—we all know it, so don’t put much stock in him.

Moustakas, on the other hand, has the potential to be a stud at the position once he gets the call. Consider stashing him in all formats.

Outfield: Jeff Francoeur, Melky Cabrera, Alex Gordon

No, no and interesting. That about sums it up, doesn’t it?

Neither Francoeur nor Cabrera belong on a normal fantasy roster (obviously, in AL-Only leagues it's a different story).

In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if neither finished the season as part of the Royals' starting lineup.

Lorenzo Cain is a much better option in centerfield, but the fact that he has options is working against him.

He stole 33 bases in 37 attempts between Double-A, Triple-A and the Majors in 2010—when he gets his shot, those in five-outfielder formats could certainly use him.

Gordon, meanwhile, is one of the best known “busts” in baseball history. However, he has rebuilt a little of his stock now that he’s in the outfield.

He looked good at Triple-A in ’10 (.315, 14 HR in 260 AB), so there is certainly hope that he can put things back together. While this may be his last shot, those in five-outfielder formats could certainly do worse than have him on their bench.

Designated Hitter: Kila Ka’aihue

Finally, the Royals are going to give him a chance to play every day.

He has some pop in his bat, but we have to take his 80 home runs at Triple-A with a grain of salt, considering it was in the Pacific Coast League.

Still, he has the potential to be a “mini” Billy Butler, hitting around .270 with close to 20 HR. Those in deeper formats would be thrilled with those numbers as an end-draft flier.

What are your thoughts on the Royals offense? Who do you like? Who would you like to avoid?

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Make sure to check out some of our 2011 projections: