2025 Royals season preview: They didn’t come this far just to come this far

The Royals had a surprise run, but the taste of the post-season left them wanting more.

A year ago, even the most optimistic Royals fans would have had a hard time envisioning the season playing out the way it did. The team was coming off its seventh consecutive losing season - three of which were 100-loss seasons, including a 2023 season where they tied a club record with 106 losses. Sure the team had invested in some free agents and had a promising young star in Bobby Witt Jr. But teams don’t just improve by 30 games and leap into the playoffs after a season like that.

The Royals did.

The team no one believed in won 86 games and reached the post-season for the tenth time in club history. You might think that alone would be enough, but the Royals weren’t content with just playing October baseball.

“We didn’t come this far just to come this far,” said star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. after a sweep of the Orioles in the Wild Card round. They took that attitude into the next round, a tough loss to the Yankees in the American League Divisional Series.

And it carried over into the off-season, where the team was unwilling to simply rest on the laurels of such a big improvement. Rather than stand pat like so many teams in an uncertain economic environment in baseball, the Royals continued to invest in payroll. They quickly re-signed starting pitcher Michael Wacha to a three-year deal to maintain their starting pitching strength. They acquired Jonathan India in a bold trade with the Reds for pitcher Brady Singer to give them a leadoff hitter. And after attempts at landing a free agent outfielder fell short, they pivoted and used the money to sign All-Star closer Carlos Estévez.

The question going into this season will be - did they do enough?

Kansas City Royals

2024 record: 86-76

2024 pythag: 91-71

2025 ZIPS projection: 81-81

2025 PECOTA projection: 82-80

Manager: Matt Quatraro (third season)

Key additions: Cavan Biggio, Mark Canha, Carlos Estévez, Jonathan India, Joey Wiemer

Key departures: Paul DeJong, Adam Frazier, Yuli Gurriel, Garrett Hampson, Tommy Pham, Brady Singer, Will Smith

The Royals don’t boast a big lineup of boppers. But for the first five months of last season, the Royals had the sixth-most runs-per-game in all of baseball. Witt elevated his game to superstar status, and although Aaron Judge eclipsed him, he had one of the best seasons ever by a non-MVP winner. Bobby, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez were on pace to give the Royals three 100-RBI hitters for the first time since 2000.

But an injury to Pasquantino cost him September and exposed how thin the lineup was. The Royals averaged less than three runs-per-game in the final month, nearly costing them a playoff spot. Despite some good run producers in the middle of the lineup, there weren’t enough opportunities being created at the top of the order. Royals leadoff hitters batted just .228/.270/.334, the worst numbers in baseball.

That led to the acquisition of India, a player with a career .352 on-base percentage in four seasons in Cincinnati. He can give Bobby and company many more RBI opportunities, and could even see his offensive numbers improve in a ballpark more suited to his skillset.

The question is - where exactly will he play? Second base is the only position he has played as a pro, and the Royals already have Michael Massey - who enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 - at the position. The Royals have suggested India could spend time at third or even the outfield, or that Massey could play some outfield as a way to avoid the chronic back injuries that have plagued his career. Third baseman Maikel Garcia has even spent some time in center as the Royals seek positional versatility.

That could help them paper over some glaring holes in the outfield. Royals outfielders hit just .222/.281/.367 as a whole, the third-worst offensive outfield in baseball. The pressure is on MJ Melendez to turn his career around, and fans hope a new swing this spring can help him unlock his potential. Hunter Renfroe has had two underwhelming seasons in a row now, and will have to prove he has something left in the tank at age 33. Kyle Isbel is a terrific defender, but the Royals can’t afford to carry his subpar bat if others can’t step up. Unless there is improvement, Royals fans will be left hoping the team can swing a mid-season trade or slugging prospect Jac Caglianone can adjust to the outfield and be up to the big leagues before the end of the season.

All statistics are 2024 numbers.

Starting pitching was the strength of the Royals last year, and the team hopes added depth can help address any potential of regression. Cole Ragans has firmly established himself as one of the top power lefties in the game, finishing fifth in all of baseball in strikeouts and fourth in fWAR. Seth Lugo proved to be a free agent gem, finishing second in Cy Young balloting in just his second full season as a starter. His dazzling arsenal of eight (nine?) pitches kept hitters off balance all season. The underrated Michael Wacha was 19th among all starting pitchers in fWAR and had a 2.79 ERA after the All-Star break.

The Royals are hoping that Kris Bubic can show the flashes of brilliance as a starter this year that he did as a reliever last year. After missing a full season following Tommy John surgery, Bubic became a bullpen weapon. But the club is counting on him and a change up that opponents hit just .179 off of with a 34.1 percent whiff rate. Michael Lorenzen returns after being a terrific addition at last year’s trade deadline with a 1.57 ERA in seven games with the Royals. Alec Marsh and Kyle Wright will begin the season on the Injured List, but could be factors in the rotation later this season, as could prospect Noah Cameron.

The bullpen was a major liability in the first two months of the season, but by the end of the year, manager Matt Quatraro had assembled a group of relievers in his circle of trust. Lucas Erceg was a shrewd mid-season acquisition, the most valuable relievers in baseball over the final two months of the season. Carlos Estévez has 57 saves over the last two seasons, and could take over the ninth in Kansas City to allow Erceg to play more of a fireman role in the middle innings. The former All-Star posted the lowest ERA and walk rate of his career with the Angels and Phillies last year.

Hunter Harvey struggled with back issues last year, but the Royals are hoping he can return to his form in 2023 when he had a 2.82 ERA with one of the best strikeout-to-walk ratios among relievers. Angel Zerpa proved to be a weapon late in the season and was one of the best relievers in baseball in getting called strikes. Sam Long turned out to be a smart minor league free agent signing, and Daniel Lynch IV transitioned into a solid reliever last year, giving the Royals plenty of lefty options. John Schreiber had a very rough May, but was solid down the stretch with a 2.08 ERA over his final 20 outings. The Royals are hoping veteran Chris Stratton can bounce back, but his leash could be short if he doesn’t show early improvement.

All statistics are 2024 numbers.

The Royals and Bobby Witt Jr. committed to each other just over a year ago with a club-record long-term deal. Bobby has shown the same kind of star talent, poise, and maturity as another Texas-grown star across the parking lot. But he hasn’t had the same on-field success. Yet.

As the Yankees celebrated on the field at Kauffman Stadium last October, Bobby stayed behind in the Royals dugout to observe. The Royals had come so far, only to come up short.

“That’s where I wanna be,” Witt said.