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Kansas City Royals: Thoughts on every player on the 40-man roster

By Eric Treuden

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Hunter Dozier #17 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with Whit Merrifield #15 after hitting a two run home run off Triston McKenzie #24 of the Cleveland Indians in the second inning during game one of a doubleheader at Progressive Field on September 20, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Hunter Dozier #17 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates with Whit Merrifield #15 after hitting a two run home run off Triston McKenzie #24 of the Cleveland Indians in the second inning during game one of a doubleheader at Progressive Field on September 20, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /
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Sep 14, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel (28) celebrates with teammates after hitting his first career home run during the seventh inning against the Oakland Athletics at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel (28) celebrates with teammates after hitting his first career home run during the seventh inning against the Oakland Athletics at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Outfielders (4):

LF Andrew Benintendi

2021 stats: 538 PA, 134 G, 17 HR, .276/.324/.442, 106 wRC+, 2.1 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections:  560 PA, 130 G, 16 HR, .267/.335/.436, 109 wRC+, 2.0 fWAR

Andrew Benintendi is projected to slot into the middle of the 2022 Royals lineup after a successful first year in Kansas City. He continues to be a reliable extra-base-hit machine and even won his first career Gold Glove last season. He is still just 27 years old and should be one of the club’s top performers once again.

RF Kyle Isbel

2021 stats: 83 PA, 28 G, 1 HR, .276/.337/.434, 109 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 434 PA, 100 G, 11 HR, .253/.314/.406, 94 wRC+, 1.0 fWAR

24-year-old Kyle Isbel received his first look in big league action in 2021, posting respectable offensive numbers while showing off the ability to play all three outfield positions. With the presence of Michael Taylor and Andrew Benintendi, he is projected to see the majority of his playing time in right field in 2022. FGDC projections have him improving across the board in the upcoming campaign.

COF Edward Olivares

2021 stats: 111 PA, 39 G, 5 HR, .238/.291/.406, 88 wRC+, 0.1 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 126 PA, 29 G, 4 HR, .260/.313/.419, 97 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR

Edward Olivares is projected to once again serve as the Royals’ fourth outfielder in 2022, backing up at all three positions on the grass. He projects as more of a corner outfield option, but is capable of playing center respectably as well. Olivares possesses the ability to hit around 20 home runs and steal 20 or more bases with extended playing time. With no other outfielders on the 40-man behind him, the backup outfielder spot should be his to lose.

CF Michael A. Taylor

2021 stats: 528 PA, 142 G, 12 HR, .244/.297/.356, 77 wRC+, 1.9 fWAR

2022 FGDC projections: 539 PA, 125 G, 14 HR, .235/.290/.375, 79 wRC+, 1.1 fWAR

Michael A. Taylor has long been known as an excellent defensive outfielder. However, he turned it up a notch last season, winning his first Gold Glove along the way with 2.3 dWAR in 139 games in center while ranking second in the major leagues in OAA and Runs Prevented. Taylor needs to bring his strikeout rate down if he is to ever be an offensive threat, but he’s always good for 10+ home runs and stolen bases.

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The Kansas City Royals have put together a solid 40-man roster in an effort to make it back to the postseason for the first time since 2015, when they won the World Series. With one of the best defensive lineups in the big leagues and a young up-and-coming rotation, the club is off to a good start.

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