Kansas City Royals news: Who will lead off for the Royals?

David Lesky looks at who could be a candidate to lead off for the Royals.

If what we saw from Garcia in 2025 is real, and the Royals are betting on it with the contract extension, he fits as a pretty traditional leadoff hitter that blends old school with new school….

I think the argument against it is that he’s needed in the middle of the lineup too. If he’s hitting first, that probably props Salvador Perez up to the fourth spot, which is maybe fine, but I would still like to see him hitting fifth or sixth as we saw often toward the end of last season. Putting someone else in the leadoff spot with Garcia hitting fourth, Perez fifth and then finishing the lineup helps make it look a whole lot deeper. But at the same time, that’s giving fewer at bats to someone who might deserve more. It’s easy to see why it’s a bit of a conundrum.

Craig Brown looks over the list of non-roster invitees to spring training.

Former first round picks Frank Mozzicato and Gavin Cross were both eligible to be selected in last month’s Rule 5 draft. Now they’re heading to big league camp in Surprise.

For me, among the most intriguing names—aside from Mitchell and Ramirez—will be lefty Hunter Patteson and outfielder Carson Roccaforte. Patteson turns 26 in April and has only topped out in Double-A, but saw a velocity jump last season and has what Baseball America calls “advanced pitchability.” Talk to me like that and you have my attention. Roccaforte is a guy who I think could push his way to Kansas City at some point this summer. His profile and work in the minors has me sold.

Kiley McDaniel at ESPN ranks Kendry Chourio (#124), Josh Hammond (#132), and Blake Mitchell (#143) in his 101-200 prospect list, listing Chourio as the prospect with ace potential.

Chourio has the elements to become a front-line starter I’m looking for: enough velocity, plenty of command, the potential for three above-average pitch shapes and surface number performance. The reason he just missed the top 100 is because he isn’t very projectable and needs to tweak his breaking ball shapes — but the spin rates and break suggest he has the ability to do that. At the same stage of development, there are parallels to Seth Hernandez — but Hernandez’s size, velocity and the athleticism he has demonstrated as a position player are why he has more upside and therefore ranked a good bit higher.

The Royals will cover the cost of admission to the Negro League Baseball Museum in February.

Pete Grathoff writes how Bobby Witt Jr. got a one-day job with his hometown Dallas Stars.

He also writes how Vinnie Pasquantino is not looking forward to his arbitration hearing.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Keep wants a reunion with Jackson Kowar.

Colorado acquires Edouard Julien from the Twins.

They also traded reliever Angel Chivilli to the Yankees.

The Brewers sign catcher Reese McGuire to a minor league deal.

The Braves are interested in free agents Lucas Giolito and Chris Bassitt.

A breakdown of the payroll disparity in baseball.

What teams could break out in 2026?

Will the Yankees trade their outfield depth?

Which players are ripe for a contract extension?