SURPRISE, Ariz.
The Kansas City Royals are holding court in Surprise, Arizona, this February. There are new faces and renewed optimism for the 2026 season.
The early indications are strong for the Royals. The club believes it has the pieces to compete — and ultimately win — the American League Central.
The pitching staff is considered elite with multiple former All-Stars. Meanwhile, the offense is led by MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr. and a host of top-tier veterans. There are few question marks regarding the roster.
It’s more prudent to view the Royals from a competitive lens. The club has veterans who have been a part of winning teams. Now, the sum must be better than the parts.
Can the Royals get off to a hot start? In recent years, the club has struggled out the gates before warming up as the weather turns.
Will the offense become sustainable? That’s been the question since the club emerged from a disastrous 106-loss campaign in 2023.
The Royals need to provide answers with their performance.
Here’s what I’m hearing from big-league camp so far, including some of our coverage from the last week…
Jonathan India has fresh start and new look
There was a collective disappointment surrounding India last season. He didn’t play well and admittedly didn’t feel like himself. He was inconsistent while trying to balance life in Kansas City on and off the field.
India looks far different in 2026. He cut his signature hair and looks like a new man — figuratively and literally. Even some of his teammates didn’t recognize him early in camp.
“He’s in a really good headspace,” Royals hitting coach Alec Zumwalt said. “… It was a lot of change for him last spring. So again, he put a lot of work in this offseason to be in the best place he can be.”
India is excited to erase his 2025 season. He watched film of himself and didn’t recognize the person that was at the plate. He didn’t like his body language or facial expressions as he struggled.
Now, India wants to show the Royals he is worth the investment. He is settling into his home in Kansas City and is excited to get more involved in the community. At the plate, he wants to get back to being a relentless player.
The Royals want to see it as well. If India can return to form, he could be a welcome piece to the club’s playoff pursuit.
Isaac Collins is scrappy and productive
At first glance, Collins doesn’t stand out among the crowd. He stands at 5-foot-8 and isn’t the biggest player on the field.
However, Collins knows how to flat out play. He posted a .779 OPS (on-base plus slugging) while finishing fourth in 2025 National League Rookie of the Year voting.
The Royals love Collins’ bat-to-ball skills. He is a switch hitter who has solid numbers from both sides of the plate. He also plays quality defense and is expected to be the everyday left fielder this season.
Isaac Collins #6 of the Milwaukee Brewers slides safely into home plate on a Jake Bauers #9 double in the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on September 12, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. John Fisher Getty Images
“It took him a while because he was a little older rookie,” Royals assistant hitting coach Connor Dawson said. “He’s gritty and I think he knows himself. I think that’s the big thing. He is very self-aware and he knows what his role is. I think you saw it last year. He finds a way to get on base. And even when he doesn’t find a way to get on base, he finds a way to see four or five pitches and make it a tough at-bat.”
Dawson coached Collins with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Royals love his versatility and have designs to use him throughout the lineup.
Collins has looked good in camp workouts. He is hitting the baseball to all fields and looks on track to be ready for the regular season.
Non-roster invitees bring veteran experience
It’s a tough road to make a big-league team as a non-roster invitee. There are circumstances that vary team to team — such as injuries and prospect promotion.
However, it’s not impossible. The Royals found success with previous NRIs such as former relievers Sam Long and Taylor Clarke.
This season, the Royals have a few NRIs who can earn a spot. MLB veterans Jose Cuas, Hector Neris and Eli Morgan have an opportunity. Each has experience pitching in the bullpen and could be welcome additions for organizational depth.
The bullpen is expected to be a strength of this team.
The offensive side features Brandon Drury, Abraham Toro, Kevin Newman and Josh Rojas, among others. There is expected to be a competition for the final bench spots, and these players could impress with a strong spring.
The Royals hope their offense looks different in 2026. Could any of the NRIs contribute?
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Jaylon Thompson covers the Royals for The Kansas City Star. He previously covered the 2021 World Series and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.