Five bold Royals predictions not involving Bobby Witt Jr.

In 2024, the Kansas City Royals made a historic turnaround, improving by 30 wins over their dismal 2023 campaign. The Royals went from doormat to competitive overnight. 

With a superstar in shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and two starting pitchers who finished in the top four in the Cy Young voting last year in Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo, the Royals should remain an AL Central contender.

Here are five bold but realistic predictions for the 2025 season that don't involve Witt. 

MJ Melendez turns his career around

In AAA, Melendez sported a .371 on-base percentage, after posting a .366 OBP in AA. He hit 48 home runs at those two levels in just 148 games. Expectations were high that he could get on base in the majors and hit for power. 

That has not been the case. He has 51 homers in three seasons and a paltry .303 OBP. Things were horrible in 2024 when he produced an OBP of just .273.

He's reworked his approach and stance at the plate this offseason. He will use those changes to turn his career around, be a viable, productive left fielder for the Royals and help lengthen their batting order. 

The bullpen will trim a whole run from their 2024 ERA

The bullpen was a disaster for much of last season. It accumulated a 4.13 and pitchers struggled with their roles all year. 

A revamped 'pen, with several hard throwers, should produce much better results. The backend will be deep with Carlos Estevez, Hunter Harvey and Lucas Erceg to close down offenses.  It could be a dominating group. 

Salvador Perez fights off Father Time one more year

Perez is 34, but the Royals have worked to lighten his work behind the plate. He will play plenty of games at first and will serve as the designated hitter often. 

Resting him has allowed him to continue to produce. He had 27 home runs and 104 RBI last season and now has Jonathan India hitting leadoff, and Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino still getting on base in front of him. Perez should have more opportunity to drive in runs. He blew away his career record for walks at 34, though he still swings and misses too much. 

He may not match his walk totals again, but his power and production should still hold for another year. He's going to beat Father Time for another season.

Prospect Jac Caglianone will debut and have an impact

At some point this season, Caglianone will join the Royals and make a difference down the stretch. The youngster impressed in spring training, slashing .500/.609/1.167 while hitting three home runs with five walks and only three strikeouts in 23 plate appearances.  

Royals win the AL Central

The AL Central is not the best division in baseball, but it might be the most competitive. Outside of the White Sox, the other four teams are reasonably close. Each has weaknesses but has areas in which they can excel. 

The Tigers have strong starting pitching, but their offense has been decimated by injuries this spring. The Guardians have a star in Jose Ramirez, but no one else in that lineup scares anyone. The Twins have talented stars, but many of them are injury-prone. 

The Royals have a superstar in Witt, a strong rotation on paper, an improved bullpen and a productive top four in their batting order. They may have the edge and can win the division.