Kyle Isbel is set to patrol a completely new outfield in 2026.
This offseason, the Royals announced plans to move their outfield fences in. The goal was to generate more offensive production. In many ways, the decision will benefit the Royals, but it also creates a unique challenge for Isbel.
That’s re-learning Kauffman Stadium.
“Honestly, I’m really curious to see how it plays,” Isbel said.
The new dimensions will move in the outfield wall about 8 to 10 feet — starting near each foul pole. The outfield gaps will move from 387 feet to 379 and taper back toward center field, which remains at 410 feet.
The height of the outfield walls will also be lowered. The Royals shifted the original height from 10 feet to 8 ½ in most places.
Isbel won’t feel much difference in straightaway center field. However, there will be some adjustments made in the gaps. He will have new angles and routes to track down the baseball.
It’s something he is prepared to learn. Still, it won’t change his mentality to aggressively track the baseball in the air.
“It’s still a big field,” Isbel said. “They didn’t really touch center field for the most part. So it’s really the same. I think it’s gonna maybe have less triples — more than anything — with the lines being a little more brought in.”
Isbel enters his sixth season with the Royals. While he is known as a standout defender, Isbel has quietly improved his offensive game. Isbel hit .255 with four homers, 33 RBIs and 94 hits in 135 games last season.
And there is still room to grow. Isbel made several adjustments this offseason after missing the final stretch with a left hamstring strain.
“I feel like I’m a critic and I feel like I can always be better,” Isbel said. “Never really satisfied with what I’m doing. Just want to be better for the team and I want to win more games.”
Royals hitting coach Alec Zumwalt was impressed with Isbel last season. He believes the offensive changes can lead to more success.
“I have never asked him to try to hit for power,” Zumwalt said. “His mindset has always been, you know, I think from the very beginning is that you’re a line-drive hitter. You run into one here or there and that’s gonna happen. You’re a line-drive hitter and you need to be on base. That’s how you are going to be the most valuable version of yourself.”
Isbel has an important role at the bottom of the lineup. He is instrumental in flipping the batting order over to the likes of Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez.
The Royals count on Isbel to get aboard or move runners on the basepaths. And Zumwalt believes Isbel shines in his role.
“In the past, he was hitting in the bottom of the order,” Zumwalt said. “You know, I think he really sold out to that last season. And that’s a big part of this. It’s be on base and be in scoring position when the boppers start coming up.”
Isbel is willing to help the Royals in any capacity. His defense is the main calling card, but an improved offensive game can help Isbel reach another level.
“I would say there are adjustments happening every single day,” Isbel said. “That goes back to the never satisfied thing. You are always trying to find that edge to get better, get your body in a better position and just become a better player.”
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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.