X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Kansas City Royals: 2017 Fantasy Team Preview and Outlooks

RotoBaller's 2017 team preview series rolls on. As part of RotoBaller's ongoing effort to help you win your leagues, we're previewing all 30 MLB teams. We're taking a look at each team's hitters, pitchers, prospects and offseason moves to help you prepare for the upcoming fantasy season.

Today, we'll cover the 2017 Kansas City Royals Team Outlook, and preview their potential fantasy baseball contributions.

Editor's note: for even more draft prep, visit our awesome 2017 fantasy baseball rankings dashboard. It has lots of in-depth staff rankings and draft strategy columns. You will find tiered rankings for every position, 2017 impact rookie rankings, AL/NL only league ranks and lots more. Bookmark the page, and win your drafts.

 

Offseason Moves

The Royals came up short in their bid for a repeat or a third consecutive American League pennant, finishing third in the Central with a .500 record. Until the last few days, when they signed Brandon Moss and Jason Hammel, they’d sat out free agency entirely, allowing Kendrys Morales and Edinson Volquez to sign elsewhere. Kansas City made a pair of trades, shipping closer Wade Davis to Chicago for outfielder Jorge Soler, then clearing space for Soler by trading Jarrod Dyson for Seattle for pitcher Nate Karns.

Unfortunately, of course, the biggest story of their offseason was the untimely death of Yordano Ventura in an auto accident. Ventura was still very much a work in progress in terms of both his pitching and his character, but he was an exciting player with obvious talent, and he was just 25 years old. We’ve been robbed of the chance to see him reach his full potential.

 

Hitting Overview 

While not the the only factor in the Royals’ failure to defend their title, injuries did take a toll on their lineup. Mike Moustakas went down with a torn ACL after just a month. Both Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon missed big chunks of time as well, and underachieved when they did play. Moustakas looked to be building on his 2015 breakout before the injury. Kansas City will need him to continue both outfielders to bounce back to All-Star form to have a chance at wresting control of the division back from the Indians. Gordon was always a better player in real baseball than fantasy (which he’s definitely crying himself to sleep over after signing a $72 million contract), and enters his age-33 season having missed significant time in each of the last two seasons. Cain, meanwhile, has only once surpassed 600 plate appearances. That was during his breakout in 2015. Both could certainly be useful fantasy options, but they carry plenty of risk.

Fantasy owners who drafted Eric Hosmer were likely pleased with the return, as he finally cracked the 20 HR and 100 RBI thresholds last season. Unfortunately, that came with a corresponding 30-point drop in batting average. He’s a better CI option than primary first baseman, given the other talent at the position. Catcher Salvador Perez is a workhorse, but that’s a double-edged sword, as he’s faded badly in the second half in each of the last three years. Moss should replace the pop of Morales, though he’ll almost certainly be a toxic asset in batting average. Soler still has potential, but he may not be the star many expected. In the middle infield, you’ll get stolen bases and maybe a passable average from Alcides Escobar, and probably just stolen bases from Raul Mondesi.

 

Pitching Overview

Danny Duffy finally broke out in his age 27 season, posting a 3.51 ERA and 1.14 WHIP while striking out over a batter per inning. He wasn’t perfect – he struggled with keeping the ball in the yard and sputtered at the end of the season – but there’s plenty of like here. Speaking of homer problems, they’ve plagued Ian Kennedy for most of his career, but he’s managed to be a serviceable fantasy option more often than not thanks to his solid strikeout and walk rates. Hammel profiles similarly, assuming his elbow is healthy. Karns had some success in 2015, but that was with the Rays regularly pulling him to avoid a third time through the order. The wild card here is rookie Matt Strahm, who flashed big stuff in the bullpen last season and may yet crack the rotation.

Strahm will probably end up in the eighth setting up Kelvin Herrera, who should immediately slide into the top 10 fantasy relievers now that he’ll be locking down games on the reg. The lone holdover from the dominant bullpen that propelled the Royals to their surprising 2014 run, Herrera had the best season of his career by basically any measure outside of ERA. Joakim Soria is the other name of interest in the bullpen, though he faltered a bit in 2016.

 

Prospects Overview

Mondesi is barely old enough to drink legally and ran a 31 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A last season, so expecting him to hit much at the MLB level may be a stretch in 2017. He did show some pop to go along with his blazing speed, though, and the latter makes him at least worth a look in deep and AL-only leagues. Apart from he and Strahm, there’s not much here for fantasy owners.

 

Conclusion

With several players on track to hit free agency next winter, 2017 is probably the last shot for the Royals’ current core. Even if they fall short, this has been one of the most successful eras in franchise history. Kansas City lacks a no-doubt fantasy stud, but the majority of their regulars should prove useful and they have some talented arms as well.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Royce Lewis25 mins ago

Exits With Quad Injury
Max Scherzer2 hours ago

Throws Bullpen Session
Clayton Kershaw2 hours ago

"Ahead Of Things" Timetable-Wise
Walker Buehler2 hours ago

Ahead Of Schedule
Corey Seager2 hours ago

Active On Opening Day
Oneil Cruz2 hours ago

Batting Sixth On Opening Day
Alex Caruso2 hours ago

Ayo Dosunmu Probable Friday
Darius Garland3 hours ago

Probable Against 76ers
Donovan Mitchell3 hours ago

Upgraded To Questionable
Duncan Robinson4 hours ago

Heat Rule Out Duncan Robinson Friday
Bryan Reynolds4 hours ago

In Opening Day Lineup
Jimmy Butler4 hours ago

Probable Against Portland
Onyeka Okongwu5 hours ago

Remains Out Thursday
Dejounte Murray5 hours ago

Questionable With Back Soreness
Jordan Romano6 hours ago

Not Expected To Be Out Long
Gerrit Cole6 hours ago

Yankees Put Gerrit Cole On 60-Day Injured List
Elly De La Cruz6 hours ago

Batting In Six-Hole On Opening Day
Anthony Rendon6 hours ago

Hitting Leadoff On Opening Day
Wander Franco7 hours ago

Placed On Administrative Leave
Aaron Ekblad7 hours ago

Returning To Panthers Lineup Thursday
Nikita Kucherov7 hours ago

Establishes New Career High With 42nd Goal
Shane Pinto7 hours ago

Collects Career-High Four Points
Valeri Nichushkin7 hours ago

Nursing A Lower-Body Injury
Samuel Girard7 hours ago

Battling An Illness
J.K. Dobbins7 hours ago

Visiting With Chargers On Thursday
Oskar Sundqvist8 hours ago

To Miss Rest Of Season With Torn ACL
Ethan Bear8 hours ago

Enters Player Assistance Program
Keita Bates-Diop8 hours ago

To Miss Rest Of Season
Dyson Daniels8 hours ago

Remains Out On Thursday But Nearing Return
LaMelo Ball8 hours ago

Ruled Out For Rest Of 2023-24
Jose Alvarado8 hours ago

Questionable To Face Milwaukee
Jaden Springer8 hours ago

Considered Questionable
Xavier Tillman8 hours ago

Sr. Questionable Thursday
Gabe Vincent8 hours ago

Expected To Return To Action On Sunday
Al Horford20 hours ago

Back On The Injury Report
Derrick White20 hours ago

Off The Injury Report
TJ Friedl21 hours ago

Hits 10-Day Injured List
Aaron Gordon21 hours ago

Cleared To Face Phoenix
Michael Porter21 hours ago

Jr. Good To Go Wednesday
Nikola Jokic21 hours ago

Playing Against Phoenix
Jackson Chourio21 hours ago

Will Start In Right Field Friday
Jrue Holiday21 hours ago

Might Return On Thursday
Khris Middleton21 hours ago

Expected To Play On Thursday Night
Eduardo Rodriguez22 hours ago

Starts Throwing Program
Garrett Mitchell23 hours ago

Will Miss 6-8 Weeks
Chad Green23 hours ago

To Lead Closer Committee In Toronto?
Erik Swanson23 hours ago

Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson Officially Heading To Injured List
Kevin Gausman23 hours ago

To Make Season Debut Sunday Or Monday
Gleyber Torres1 day ago

Will Bat Leadoff On Opening Day
Mark Hubbard1 day ago

Coming Off A Career Performance
Davis Thompson1 day ago

Looking To Pay Off A Stellar Run Of Ball-Striking
Max Scherzer1 day ago

Making Solid Progress
Akshay Bhatia1 day ago

Coming Into Houston With Confidence
Thorbjorn Olesen1 day ago

Still Trying To Find Footing On U.S. Soil
Patrick Rodgers1 day ago

Fighting Inconsistencies Heading Into Houston
Malik Nabers1 day ago

Shines At Pro Day
Carolina Panthers1 day ago

Jadeveon Clowney Signing Two-Year Deal With Panthers
Wyndham Clark1 day ago

Battling Back Injury Ahead of Houston Open
San Francisco 49ers1 day ago

Talanoa Hufanga Expected To Return At Training Camp
Jayden Daniels1 day ago

Raiders To Meet With Jayden Daniels
Tank Bigsby1 day ago

Jaguars Want Tank Bigsby More Involved
Josh Reynolds1 day ago

Signs Two-Year Deal With Broncos
Doug Ghim1 day ago

Looks To Bounce Back At Houston Open
PGA1 day ago

Cameron Davis Seeking Consistency Ahead Of Houston Open
Thomas Detry1 day ago

A Gamble At Houston Open
Ryan Fox1 day ago

Lacks Upside Heading Into Houston Open
Andrew Novak1 day ago

Will Be Chalk At Houston Open
Josh Doan1 day ago

Scores Twice In His NHL Debut
Filip Forsberg1 day ago

Makes History In Big Comeback Win
Jamie Benn1 day ago

Scores In Fifth Consecutive Game
Sidney Crosby1 day ago

Collects Three Points Versus Carolina
Artemi Panarin1 day ago

Continues Scoring Tear With Three Assists
Joey Daccord1 day ago

Shuts Out Ducks
Sahith Theegala1 day ago

Showing Consistency This Season
Wyndham Clark1 day ago

Working Toward Star Status
Scottie Scheffler1 day ago

Heads To Houston At His Best
Sam Ryder1 day ago

Putting The Lights Out Of Late
Joel Dahmen1 day ago

All Systems Go For Joel Dahmen In Houston
Kurt Kitayama1 day ago

Ready For Houston Debut
Ben Griffin1 day ago

Finding Form Heading To Houston
Taylor Moore2 days ago

Continues Made-Cut Streak Heading To Houston
Adam Svensson2 days ago

Hoping For Consistency In Houston
Taylor Montgomery2 days ago

Looks To Bounce Back In Houston
Amon-Ra St. Brown2 days ago

Discussing Extension With Lions
Jared Goff2 days ago

Lions Discussing New Deal
J.K. Dobbins2 days ago

Cleared For Football Activities
Los Angeles Rams2 days ago

Tre'Davious White To Join Rams
PIT2 days ago

Sam Poulin Recalled From AHL
Jack Quinn2 days ago

Could Return Wednesday
Scott Mayfield2 days ago

Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
TOR2 days ago

Mitch Marner Skates On His Own Tuesday
Trevor Zegras2 days ago

To Return Tuesday
Justus Annunen2 days ago

Inks Two-Year Extension
Nick Chubb2 days ago

Expected To Start Load Running Next Month
D'Andre Swift2 days ago

Bears View D'Andre Swift As Receiving Weapon
Cordarrelle Patterson2 days ago

Signing With Steelers
Sam Howell2 days ago

Seahawks Believe Sam Howell Can Be A Full-Time Starter
Tennessee Titans2 days ago

L'Jarius Sneed Agrees On Four-Year Contract With Titans
Dak Prescott2 days ago

No Indication A Deal Is Coming For Dak Prescott
Calvin Ridley2 days ago

To Have Big Role In Tennessee
Josh Jacobs2 days ago

To Be Used More In Passing Game
Brandon Saad2 days ago

Gets Another Goal In Monday's Loss
Logan Thompson2 days ago

Stretches Winning Streak To Three Games
Pittsburgh Steelers3 days ago

Cameron Heyward Expected To Be Healthy For Training Camp
Zach Wilson3 days ago

Jets Could End Up Keeping Zach Wilson
Amanda Ribas3 days ago

Takes Decision Loss
Rose Namajunas3 days ago

Snaps Losing Streak
Edmen Shahbazyan3 days ago

Scores Vicious Comeback Knockout
AJ Dobson3 days ago

Knocked Out In The First Round At UFC Vegas 89
Fernando Padilla3 days ago

Gets Back On Track With Submission Win
Luis Pajuelo3 days ago

Submitted In UFC Debut
William Byron3 days ago

Dominates For Victory At COTA
Ty Gibbs3 days ago

Grabs Another Solid Finish At COTA
Chris Buescher3 days ago

Texas Native Chris Buescher Finishes Eighth At COTA
Christopher Bell3 days ago

Kyle Busch Confronts Christopher Bell Following A Top-10 Finish At COTA
Justin Haley4 days ago

Disqualified After Strong COTA Run
Martin Truex Jr4 days ago

. Rounds Out Top Ten At COTA
NASCAR4 days ago

A.J. Allmendinger Worms Way Up To Sixth At COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen4 days ago

Shane van Gisbergen Comes Down to Earth After Mediocre COTA Run
Ross Chastain4 days ago

Ran Well at COTA as Usual Despite Late-Race Fade
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Furious Charge Falls Just Short at COTA
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

Scores Strong Finish of Fifth at COTA
Chase Elliott4 days ago

Finishes 16th at COTA After Lackluster Performance
Billy Quarantillo4 days ago

Suffers Submission Loss At UFC Vegas 89
Youssef Zalal4 days ago

Gets Submission Win In Return To The UFC
Cameron Saaiman4 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 89
Payton Talbott4 days ago

Scores KO Win At UFC Vegas 89
Justin Tafa4 days ago

Drops To .500 In The UFC
Karl Williams4 days ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Kyle Larson4 days ago

Is One Of The Optimal DFS Options For COTA
Denny Hamlin4 days ago

Should Denny Hamlin Be Rostered For DFS Lineups At COTA?
Kaz Grala4 days ago

Is A Serviceable DFS Play For COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen4 days ago

Will Start 12th In First COTA Cup Start
Todd Gilliland4 days ago

Is A Sneaky DFS Play With Upside For COTA
William Byron4 days ago

Is One Of The Top Favorites To Win At COTA
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Is A Comfortable DFS Play For COTA
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

the Favorite to Win at COTA
Ty Gibbs4 days ago

Looking for First Career Win at COTA
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF