2024 MLB Division Preview: AL Central
By Sam Holstine
Kansas City Royals
Key Additions
- RHP Michael Wacha
- LHP Will Smith
- RHP Seth Lugo
- OF Hunter Renfroe
- UTIL Adam Frazier
- UTIL Garret Hampson
- RHP Nick Anderson
Key Loses
- RHP Zack Greinke
The Royals offseason was impressive and quite frankly was the kind of offseason I would have preferred to see from the Nationals. Kansas City added a mixture of different veterans that can help provide some level of success, lead the younger core, and be potential trade pieces for the trade deadline. Despite these additions and some players taking massive steps forward last year, the Royals are still a few pieces away from being a contending team. The offensive attack is lead by the incendiary Bobby Witt Jr., who blew up last year to the tune of a 115 wRC+ and 5.7 fWAR. The Royals took that as a sign of the former top prospect and young shortstop's talent and inked him to a long-term deal. Other names to keep an eye on include MJ Melendez, Vinnie Pasquantino, Hunter Renfroe, and Salvador Perez.
On the pitching side of things, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha are reaping the benefits of their resurgent seasons last year with the Padres, with each of them inking respectable deals with the Royals. The two veterans back up their young ace Cole Ragans, who has one of the nastiest fastballs in baseball and might be the most underrated Cy Young award nominee this year. Brady Singer and the everlasting inning-eater Jordan Lyles round things out for their rotation.
3 more Ks for Cole Ragans.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 25, 2024
5Ks thru 2. pic.twitter.com/e3sQLMySTT