Let's take a look at the season ahead for the 2024 Kansas City Royals, the issues the team needs to address this winter, and early predictions for 2025.
Read more: 2024 MLB Offseason Previews: What's Next for Orioles, Astros, Phillies and More?
Postseason result
After winning the second wild card in the American League, the Royals defeated the Orioles in the wild card round and then lost to the Yankees in four games in the ALDS.
That's the main reason the Kansas City team passed the Orioles and wasn't swept by the Yankees. Michael Wacha was the only starting pitcher on the team with a postseason ERA above 3.90.
The offense is the reason the Royals haven't moved on. Vinnie Pasquantino struggled to recover from a lengthy injury layoff and batted just .130 in October. MJ Melendez had a .150 OBP. The biggest blow was the fact that Bobby Witt Jr. he was as ineffective in the postseason as any other hitter on the team, with a .192 average and a .414 OPS.
Things that went well
The Royals finally broke through after a long rebuild, setting their first winning record and making their first postseason appearance since winning the 2015 World Series. Interestingly, Kansas City won 30 more games this season than in 2023.
Bobby Witt Jr. was by far the biggest catalyst for improvement. The 24-year-old has made significant progress for the second year in a row and is now among baseball's superstars. Witt led the majors in batting average and finished fourth in OPS. He was one of three players with a 30-30 record, and his 10.4 WAR was second only to Yankees superstar Aaron Judge.
Witt was supported by veteran Salvador Perez, who posted an impressive .786 OPS, homered 27 times and led all catchers with 104 RBIs. Vinnie Pasquantino also contributed heavily, scoring 97 runs in 131 games before suffering a regular-season-ending thumb injury on August 29. He returned in time for the playoffs, but the DH allowed only three hits in six playoff games in Kansas City.
There were significant contributions from pitchers as well, as Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, Brady Singer and Michael Wacha all posted ERAs below 3.75 and threw over 165 innings. Lugo was particularly effective as he went 16-9 and finished 10th in baseball in ERA.
Things that went wrong
The bullpen was the most disappointing area for this team as they finished 20th in baseball in ERA. Three of the Royals' top five relievers finished with an ERA above 4.90. The acquisition of closer Lucas Ercega at the trade deadline was helpful, but not enough to solve all the problems, especially when fellow July acquisition Hunter Harvey landed on the IL after throwing just 5 2/3 innings for his new team.
He also suffered from constant headaches on the pitch. Hunter Renfroe, MJ Melendez and Kyle Isbel led the team in outfield appearances, and all three players finished with an OPS below .700. Nelson Velázquez was expected to play a big role in the outfield after breaking out in 2023, but he posted a .640 OPS in 64 games and spent half of the season in the minors.
Off-season plans
The Royals have a greater number of obvious strengths and obvious weaknesses than the average team.
The infield is a reliable force. Perez returns behind the plate, and Pasquantino (first base), Michael Massey (second base) and Witt (shortstop) have been under the team's control for several years. Maikel Garcia will return at third, although the team may be looking for an upgrade after posting a .614 OPS in 2024. Freddy Fermin has also proven to be a reliable catcher, which gives manager Matt Quatraro the flexibility to use Perez at first base or on the power play at times.
Better downfield production must be a priority. Melendez and Isbel remain under contract, and Renfroe will retire. Speedster Dairon Blanco can play on the bench, but he doesn't hit well enough to solve his outfield problems. Adding an outfielder or two via trade or free agency would be an obvious winter move for general manager JJ Picollo.
A three-fifths rotation has been established with Lugo, Ragans and Singer. Alec Marsh has had an inconsistent showing in 2024, but he's good enough to earn one of the two remaining spots in spring training. With Wacha likely to decline his player option and enter free agency, there is no one else on the roster who has appeared in four games this year. Kyle Wright could take his place after missing the season while recovering from Shoulder Surgery 2023, but counting on him is too optimistic. Adding one reliable starter this offseason would help Royals fans sleep better.
The relief corps also needs help, but should be better with the presence of Erceg and Harvey for the season. All of the team's key replacement players for 2024 remain under contract, and given the immediate outfield and rotation needs, management may conclude that the team's bullpen improvements must come through player development or next summer.
Prospects on the horizon
The Royals are in a difficult situation for a rising team as their farm system is considered below MLB average. The organization's last two first-round draft picks, Jac Caglianon and Blake Mitchell, are the top prospects in this group. Unfortunately, none of the players managed to qualify for the Double-A category and therefore they will most likely spend the entire year of 2025 in the juniors.
Right-hander Ben Kudma could find himself in the team's rotation next summer. The 21-year-old has reached Double-A and makes up for an average fastball with solid secondary offerings (slider, changeup). For now, though, his ceiling doesn't seem particularly high.
Gavin Cross has a good chance of making it to Kansas City next season, mainly because he would fill a need on the field. The 23-year-old has some power and plenty of speed and has bounced back well from a disappointing 2023 season.
Those na rok 2025
The Royals found themselves in a strange situation. On the surface, they are poised to challenge for the AL Central title. After all, they've made great strides this season and have one of the best players in baseball in Witt. However, there are significant holes in the squad and a general lack of depth, with no immediate help from the minors on the horizon.
By adding two or three free agents at positions of need, Kansas City could have as good a chance of winning the division as the Guardians, Tigers or Twins. However, if management sits on its hands and players like Witt and Lugo experience regression after remarkable campaigns, Kansas City could be overtaken in an increasingly competitive league.
Focus on fantasy
Witt is an exceptional fantasy acquisition. The 24-year-old will be a top pick in multiple drafts and should be a top-three pick in any league. Perez will be the next Royals position player to come off the lineup as he will be considered a top-five catcher. Pasquantino will be a useful middle-inning option, and Garcia will be attractive in roto leagues due to his base-stealing ability.
Even though Lugo was the team's most productive pitcher in 2024, Ragans will be the first drafted starter next year. He is eight years younger than Lugo and tempts fantasy managers with his high cap rate. Ragans will be valued by some managers as a borderline ace, while Lugo will be viewed as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter. Singer will be a mid-inning option, as will Erceg, provided Quatraro plays him as a starter in spring training.
