[Nick Soulis]

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Kansas City Royals (3232-3478 W-L, 1969 - 2011) - 1 World Championship, 2 Pennants, and 7 Playoff Appearances

Ball Park: Royals Stadium

Manager: Dick Howser

C	Darrell Porter	Mike Macfarlane
1B	Mike Sweeney	Steve Balboni
2B	Frank White	Cookie Rojas
3B	George Brett	Kevin Seitzer
SS	Freddie Patek	UL Washington
OF	Willie Wilson	Bo Jackson
OF	Danny Tartabull	Jermaine Dye
OF	Carlos Beltran	Amos Otis
DH	Hal McRae
SP	Brett Saberhagen
SP	Kevin Appier
SP	Dennis Leonard
SP	Mark Gubiza	Zack Grienke
CL	Dan Quissenberry

Catchers - The Royals look for stability here and have two men that do things a bit diffrently. Mike Macfarland is a fine defensive backstop with an average bat while Darrel Porter is a big hitter with less on a defensive feel. Both should play, but in the spirit of runs, Porter should have the job going into opening day.

First Base - Everyone looks at first base as a position that can produce some runs. The Royals will look to Mike Sweeney who for a time was one of the best hitters in the American League. Steve Balboni is the big man to back up the injury prone Sweeney, Balboni has a big bat and may also be used some at DH.

Second Base - Frank White is the only choice at second base. White is an agressive hitter who was part of many great Royals teams. White can be inconsistent at times and his concentration needs to be there for the long haul. Cookie Rojas is of course a great clubhouse player and has an excellent glove. Rojas will see time in the infield late in close games.

ShortStop - Freddie Patek was a better hitter then most people give him credit for even though he wasnt part of the great Royal runs. Still he and UL Washington will compete for the position and likely will split time. Some are saying that behind the scenes, UL feels like he definately should be the best man for the job. Competition will tell the story.

Third Base - The greatest Royal of them all resides here as George Brett was the best hitter of a generation. Brett will man third and will have to hit all year long for this team to win enough games. Teams may pitch around the sweet swinger but somehow Brett seems to find a way. Kevin Seitzer is a very underated player who can hit and field the position with results.

Outfield - Willie Wilson will set the table for the Royals and his speed and contact hitting are just what the Royals hope to see. Wilson covers alot of ground in center field as well cutting off extra base hits. Danny Tartabull has some very impressive career numbers and will get the opening call in right field. Tartabull is an all around hitter that needs to help the offense. Finally Carlos Beltran with his all around game should start in left but true competition will come from Amos Otis who may be more consistent. Bo Jackson is also on the roster just for his pure athletic skill. Jermain Dye also made the roster.

Designated Hitter - Hal McRae has this job and no one is going to take it from him. One of the most intense hitters around McRae needs to help George Brett carry some of the load, his keen batting eye is something special.

Starting Pitching - The Royals will go as far as this unit takes them. They have some good arms here but great ones? Bret Saberhagen looks for the form that made him a dominant starter in the mid 80's, he has all the stuff and will be the ace. Kevin Appier throws hard and was a mainstay with this team. Appier needs to keep the ball in the park and strike the sluggers out. Dennis Leonard shouldnt be forgotten as he won 20 games a number of times for the Royals and has excellent control. Mark Gubiza had one outstanding season for the Royals, much like Zack Grienke did; the two of them will battle for the final rotationspot. Some talk of Paul Splittorff has been heard as well.

Closer - Dan Quissenberry and his side arm hard stuff should put a number of batters to bed late. Quiss is one of the best closers any team can hope for and his presence alone makes this team alot stronger.

Spring Training Battles
UL Washington vs Freddie Patek (Shortstop)
Mark Gubiza vs Zack Grienke (Rotation)

Cooperstown Rating
Hitting - B-
Defense - B-
Starting Pitching - C
Bullpen - A-
Prediction: 74-88

Quick word with Dick Howser
"We cant have George Brett pitch so we need to find the leaders on our pitching staff to keep us in games."