Kansas City Royals 2016 Fantasy Preview

Apr 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals base runner Mike Moustakas (8) round third and scores against the New York Mets during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas City Royals 2016 Fantasy Preview

How will the Champs look as they set out to defend their title? This is largely the same pesky team that won the World Series last year. Can they do it again?

Kansas City Royals 2016 Projected Starting Lineup:

C: Salvador Perez (.260, 21HR, 70RBI)
1B: Eric Hosmer (.297, 18HR, 93RBI, 7SB)
2B: Omar Infante (.220, 2HR, 44RBI)
SS: Alcides Escobar (.257, 3HR, 47RBI, 17SB)
3B: Mike Moustakas (.284, 22HR, 82RBI)
LF: Alex Gordon (.271, 13HR, 48RBI)
CF: Lorenzo Cain (.307, 16HR, 72RBI, 28SB)
RF: Paulo Orlando (.249, 7HR, 27RBI in 241 AB)
DH: Kendrys Morales (.290, 22HR, 106RBI)

Perez is one of the top catchers, and could be a bargain in the middle rounds. There is no reason to think that he wont hit 20 homers and hit for a good average again.

Hosmer came into his own last year. He is a strong candidate for more than 20 homers and 100 RBI. Hosmer can be had at somewhat of a bargain if you miss out on the elite first basemen early in the draft. He could produce well above his current draft position (75th).

Infante is a key piece to the Royals’ defense, but he wont do much for your fantasy team, even in deep leagues.

Escobar has good speed, but hitting lower in the lineup hurts his value. If you need speed in deeper leagues, he is worth adding. There is a chance that he can hit closer to .280 than .250.

“Moose” finally learned how to hit major league pitching last year. He has a real shot at 30 home runs, and his average is sustainable. I like him a lot in the middle rounds.

Gordon is much more valuable to the Royals than he is to fantasy teams, though he will help you in deeper leagues or in leagues that count OBP.

Cain established himself as a fantasy force last season. He is a strong candidate for a 15/30 season, 100 runs, and a .300 batting average. He is likely being underdrafted. I have seen him last until the sixth round! He should be leaving the board in the early fourth!

Orlando is still a work in progress. He seems to have right field all to himself right now, so there is a chance that he shows 25 home run power. Keep an eye on him in standard and medium sized leagues. Those of you in deep leagues can add him and hope for the best. Jarrod Dyson could be back by the end of April, which will likely render Orlando insignificant. Dyson has great speed, and is worth a look late if you need steals.

Morales got back on track in Kansas City last year. He is a key part of the middle of this lineup. The fact that he is only a DH clogs up your UTIL slot, but its worth it if you draft him in the middle rounds. Those are some solid numbers!

Next: How Will The Rotation Shape Up?

Apr 2, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura (30) pitches during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas City Royals 2016 Projected Pitching Rotation:

Edinson Volquez (13-9, 3.55 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 155K)
Chris Young (11-6, 3.06 ERA, 1.09 ERA, 83K in 123.1 IP)
Yordano Ventura (13-8, 4.08 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 156K)
Ian Kennedy (9-15, 4.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 174K)
Kris Medlen (6-2, 4.01 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 40K in 58.1 IP)
Wade Davis (8-1, 0.94 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 78K in 67.1 IP, 17-18 saves)

Volquez looked good in the opener, and he could be a solid pitcher at the back of your standard league rotation. He will get plenty of opportunities for wins on this team, and his strikeout totals are decent.

Young had what was likely his best season in the majors last year at the age of 35. Can he do it again at 36? He is never going to be a high strikeout pitcher, but he looks a lot like Jamie Moyer did in his later years. Young has learned how to pitch, and is a solid piece of your rotation in leagues of 12 or more teams.

It’s easy to forget that Ventura is still only 24 years old. He struggled early last year, but by the end of the year, you could tell that he belongs in the majors. I like him as a late pick in any league.

Kennedy’s numbers are mostly pedestrian, so he is only worth using as a spot starter in standard leagues, but he is a good pick in your deep league rotation.

Same with Medlen. This is pretty much what he is going to be, but his numbers are decent. While he likely wont help much in standard leagues, consistency is very nice in deep leagues.

Davis was dominant last year. He has been arguably the best reliever in baseball over the last two years. He is perfect as a closer, and I could make a strong case for him being the first closer taken.

Next: What Prospects Are Worth Watching?

Mar 7, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Kyle Zimmer (45) throws in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics during a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at HoHoKam Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

We will take a look at a few prospects that could crack the majors for the Royals this year, and in what type of leagues you should be looking for them in. Let’s get started!

Kyle Zimmer, RHP: Zimmer has been the best pitching prospect in the Kansas City system for a while now. He was impressive last year in the minors, but arm problems have hindered his ascent. If the back of the rotation falters, Zimmer looks healthy this year. If he pitches well, you could see him in a big league rotation this summer. If he is, he is worth a look in deeper leagues, and is worth keeping an eye on in all formats.

Miguel Almonte, RHP: Almonte made his big league debut last September, but struggled out of the bullpen. He could get another chance if he pitches well at AAA this year. He should ultimately be a starter at some point, but it may not be this year.

Bubba Starling, OF: Starling is still famous for turning down a scholarship to play quarterback at Nebraska to sign a record contract of for a position player. That was five years ago. Starling finally started to realize some of his enormous potential last year, and could make it into the majors this year if Orlando struggles or injuries hit.

Cheslor Cuthbert, CI: Cuthbert hit .217 with a homer and eight RBI in 46 major league at bats last September, but he is a man without a position. He is blocked by Moustakas, Hosmer, and Kendrys Morales. He could be a trade piece if the Royals have a need somewhere, or he could be called up if an injury strikes. If he is, he is worth a look in deep leagues.

Next: Is Lamar Miller A Top Tier RB

Stay tuned for the rundown of every MLB team, our daily FanDuel picks, and some DraftKings picks as well!

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