Michael Massey spent the spring fighting for his place, and by the end of the year he had changed the conversation at second base for the Royals.
Coming off an injury-hit 2025 season, Massey entered Spring Training with an uncertain path. The Royals even had the option of using him between second base and left field. Still, he made his intent plain from the start: he wanted to become a Gold Glove-caliber defender.
Eight months later, the 28-year-old delivered on that promise in a big way. Massey put together one of the best seasons of his major league career, pairing better offense with a strong defensive showing that earned him American League Gold Glove finalist recognition. That kind of turnaround has given Kansas City a much different outlook at second base going into 2027.
Elsewhere in the organization, Bobby Witt Jr. is an MVP finalist again.
Angiebel Gomez is also drawing attention. The 17-year-old outfielder, the second-youngest player ever to appear in the AFL, has handled the jump from the Dominican Summer League well so far.
Through 10 games for Surprise, he has hit .306/.390/.444, showing the kind of five-tool ability that has made him such an intriguing prospect. Gomez has seen action at all three outfield spots this fall, though most of his work has come in right field.
The article also mentioned Zion Rose and Justin Lamkin.
There was also a look at where Carter Jensen stands in long-term value among 2026 rookies, a discussion from Brian Burrows of Kings of Kauffman about what it would take for the Royals to land Elly De La Cruz, and a note that former Royal Franmil Reyes has been balling.
On the pitching side, Sam Caulder of Royals Keep outlined three bullpen arms the Royals could target, and another piece highlighted 10 free agents who boosted their stock in 2026.
In Other News...
Former Royals Pitcher Is Getting A Fresh Chance With A Rival
Alec Marsh is getting another shot at a big-league path, and this one comes with a familiar twist for Royals fans. The right-hander, who once worked his way into Kansas Citys rotation mix, has signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox and will head to spring training with a chance to show he can still be part of a major league staff.
Marsh has not pitched in two years after dealing with injury and surgery, so the White Sox are taking a low-risk look at a pitcher who has already logged 33 starts in 43 career appearances. For Chicago, it is another move aimed at deepening a staff that needs more answers going into next season, while for Marsh it is simply a chance to restart a career that has been on hold for far too long. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Add A New Hitting Voice To Fix A Problem Fans Know Too Well
The Royals are bringing in another voice to help sort out a problem that has lingered around the club for too long, hiring Hunter Mense as an assistant hitting coach. Mense arrives with a resume that includes time as a hitting coach with the Giants and as an assistant hitting coach with the Blue Jays, along with a playing background in the minor leagues and coaching experience across MLB organizations.
For Kansas City, the move is another sign that the organization is looking for fresh eyes and a different approach in the batters box. The Royals have spent enough time trying to steady their offense that any addition with league-wide experience is worth noting, and Mense now becomes part of the effort to give the group a clearer direction at the plate. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Can't Afford To Create This Rotation Problem With Michael Wacha
The Royals spent much of the offseason conversation circling back to the same issue: the starting rotation still needs help, and Michael Wacha is one of the few arms on the staff who gives them a reliable baseline. Even with his trade value drawing attention, Kansas City does not have the kind of pitching depth that makes it easy to absorb a loss like that, especially when the club is trying to stay in the mix over the next few seasons.
Wachas contract status and age make him a tricky trade chip anyway, because moving him would only make sense if the return were substantial. The problem for the Royals is that such a return is not likely to materialize, and dealing him would only create another hole in a rotation that already needs reinforcing. If Kansas City wants to keep itself positioned for 2027, keeping Wacha around may be the safer play. [Read more 🡒]