As the Kansas City Royals' general manager J.J. Picollo analyzed the team's path back to the postseason after last year's shortfall, one key theme emerged: the need for better production from the outfield, particularly from the bottom of the lineup.
Last season, the infield, including the catcher position, was near the top of MLB in several categories. Picollo believes that if the outfield and lower lineup can achieve just average performance, it could make a significant difference.
With the additions of Isaac Collins, Lane Thomas, Starling Marte, and the excitement of Jac Caglianone’s first full season in the majors, Picollo is optimistic. “I think that’s going to be a clear indicator of how much better our offense can be,” he noted.
This optimism was on display during Monday's home opener at Kauffman Stadium, where the Royals secured a 3-1 victory over Minnesota, thanks to contributions from the Nos. 8 and 9 spots in the lineup.
Center fielder Kyle Isbel hit a home run in the second inning, driving in Jonathan India and giving the Royals a 2-1 lead. Isaac Collins, batting eighth and playing left field, hit his first home run as a Royal in the seventh inning, helping the team even their record at 2-2. Neither player is known for power, with Collins hitting only his 10th homer in 145 games and Isbel his 24th in 499 games.
Interestingly, these home runs weren't aided by any changes to the stadium's dimensions. Isbel's 403-foot drive and Collins' 400-foot shot would have cleared the fences last season as well. Isbel humorously remarked, “Guess not,” when asked if he needed the fences moved in.
The Royals' success was also bolstered by Kris Bubic's strong start and a nearly flawless bullpen performance, despite not having Lucas Erceg, Matt Strahm, and the injured Carlos Estevez available. The top five hitters in the lineup went 3-for-18, highlighting the importance of contributions from the entire lineup.
Manager Matt Quatraro emphasized the need for production throughout the lineup, saying, “Good teams are going to do that. You’re going to have to get production everywhere.”
Last season, the Royals struggled with baserunning and hitting with runners in scoring position, and their outfielders finished last in on-base percentage and near the bottom in other key stats. This lack of production reduced opportunities for the top of the order.
Monday's game was a promising sign, with Isbel surprisingly leading the group with a .400 average, despite being a career .238 hitter. However, baseball's unpredictable nature means it's too early to declare a trend.
A year ago, similar contributions from the bottom of the order were fleeting, and consistency remains a challenge. Quatraro reiterated the need for a balanced lineup: “You need to have production up and down. We can’t rely on it being one or two guys.”
While it’s too soon to draw conclusions, Collins rightly pointed out that the burden can't solely rest on stars like Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Sal Perez, who drove in a significant portion of last year’s runs. Jonathan India also played a crucial role, leading off 103 games.
For the Royals to contend, they need more than just improved outfield performance. Keeping the pitching staff healthy and seeing growth from rookies like Caglianone and Carter Jensen are also essential. But if Monday's game is any indication, there's potential for this dynamic to play a pivotal role in their success this season.