Who Should Lead Off for the Royals in 2026? Three Intriguing Options to Watch
If there’s been one persistent thorn in the side of the Kansas City Royals the past two seasons, it’s been the leadoff spot. For a team that boasts rising stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino in the heart of the order, you’d expect more consistency at the top - someone to set the table, get on base, and make life easier for the run producers. But that hasn’t been the case.
In 2024, Royals leadoff hitters combined for a 67 wRC+ - a number that, for context, matched their output from the 2015 World Series-winning season. That might sound poetic, but the game has changed, and that level of production just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Things did improve in 2025, thanks in part to the addition of second baseman Jonathan India and a late-season spark from Mike Yastrzemski. The leadoff wRC+ climbed to 98 - closer to league average, but still not where a contending team wants to be.
So as we look ahead to 2026, the question remains: Who’s going to take that first at-bat for the Royals? If the season started today - say, on the road against the Braves - who’s the best option to lead things off?
Let’s break down the three most compelling candidates.
1. Jonathan India: The Veteran Reboot
Jonathan India’s 2025 season was, by most measures, the worst of his career. And yet, the Royals brought him back on a one-year, $8 million deal - a move that raised some eyebrows but also signaled belief in a bounce-back.
If India can return to form, he checks a lot of boxes as a leadoff hitter. He’s disciplined at the plate, makes solid contact, and has a track record of success at the top of the order.
From 2021 to 2024 with Cincinnati, India posted a .776 OPS while hitting first in the lineup - with 39 home runs over 341 games in that role. That’s more than just competent; it’s productive.
Even in a down year, India remained one of the better swing-decision hitters in the league - a trait the Royals have clearly prioritized across their roster. He doesn’t chase much, works counts, and has shown the ability to grind out tough at-bats. If he can recapture even a portion of his earlier form, he could bring much-needed stability to the top of the lineup.
And let’s be honest: if the Royals are giving India another shot, it’s likely with the intent of giving him meaningful at-bats - potentially right out of the gate.
2. Isaac Collins: The On-Base Machine
Isaac Collins might not have been the flashy outfield bat Royals fans were hoping for this offseason, but his arrival via trade with the Brewers brought something the team desperately needs: a patient, disciplined approach.
Collins didn’t hit leadoff much in Milwaukee, mostly slotting into the lower half of the lineup. But that was more a reflection of the Brewers’ depth than a knock on his skillset.
In fact, his 18.4% chase rate ranked in the 98th percentile league-wide, and he paired that with a walk rate just under 13%. That’s elite-level plate discipline - and exactly what you want from someone setting the tone for the offense.
The switch-hitter also brings defensive versatility and should see plenty of playing time regardless of where he hits. But spring training will be a key proving ground. If he shows he can handle the role, Collins could give the Royals a different kind of leadoff profile - one built on getting on base, forcing pitchers to work, and giving Witt and Pasquantino more chances to drive in runs with traffic on the bases.
He may not bring the same power potential as others, but in terms of raising the floor of the lineup? Collins is a compelling option.
3. Maikel Garcia: The High-Upside Wild Card
Royals fans have seen both sides of the Maikel Garcia leadoff experiment. In 2024, it didn’t go so well. But in 2025, after shifting into a more comfortable role behind Pasquantino, Garcia blossomed into an All-Star and Gold Glove winner - and earned himself a contract extension in the process.
Still, he did get 96 plate appearances as a leadoff hitter last year, and the results were far better than his previous stint in that role. The key difference? His process finally matched the potential.
Garcia is one of the best contact hitters in the game. He doesn’t always hit the ball hard, but he puts it in play, doesn’t strike out much, and forces defenses to make plays. His swing decisions improved dramatically in 2025, and while the power tailed off late in the season, the overall offensive profile is exactly what you’d want in front of a bat like Witt’s.
There’s also reason to believe that pairing Garcia and Witt at the top isn’t as unconventional as it might sound. Manager Matt Quatraro hasn’t shied away from starting games with two right-handed hitters, and Garcia’s defensive value and versatility make him a near-lock to be in the lineup every day.
Yes, moving Garcia up could mean fewer RBI chances for him in a lineup that still lacks depth. But if it means Witt gets more plate appearances with runners on base, that’s a trade the Royals should be willing to make.
The Bottom Line: Stability Over Perfection
The Royals don’t need a superstar in the leadoff spot - they just need consistency. They need someone who can get on base, avoid empty at-bats, and help create more scoring opportunities for the middle of the order.
- India brings the most proven track record and could bounce back into form with a fresh start.
- Collins offers the best on-base skills and plate discipline, giving the lineup a different look.
- Garcia might have the highest ceiling of the three, especially if his 2025 breakout is the new norm.
Spring training will be the proving ground, and the Royals have options. What they do with those options could be the difference between another year of missed opportunities - or a lineup that finally clicks from the very first pitch.