Royals Projections: The Outfield

Compared to last year, nothing has changed more for the Royals than the outfield. Rick Ankiel...Gone. David Dejesus...Gone. Jose Guillen...Gone. Gone baby Gone!!

If it's one thing Dayton Moore has proven since he's gotten here, it's that he likes speed in this massive Kauffman stadium...and I agree with him 100%. He wants a center fielder that can cover those gaps, limit doubles to singles, and be a threat on the basepaths...okay, that last one really hasn't come to fruition. Joey "car jumper" Gathright, Coco Crisp,. Rick Ankiel...none of them pan out, so who does he bring in?

Let's take a look at the outfield...

CF Melky Cabrera

Dayton Moore needed a center fielder. Obviously he did not think that Blanco or Maier could handle the job. Dyson's got defense, but is he your guy? Maybe not. So...he went and got himself a...........wait for it..............wait.......for...........it.............another former BRAVE!!!

Melky was servicable and surrounded by talent in New York. Atlanta may have been just a year long path to Kansas City. It might be best if he was our fourth outfielder, but he was promised a shot at starting. Okay....I can live with that. He's a veteran with playoff experience. He's got some speed and bats from both sides of the plate. He's reaching his "peak" years as a ballplayer. Sure, give him a shot. But if others are performing better, Yost needs to do the right thing. Melky could be a great bench player.

                    PA       BA       OBP       SLG       HR       SB

My projection:  350       .259       .318       .370       2       6

Bill James       359       .267       .332       .386       6       6

Marcel              508       .262       .323       .382       9       9

TOTAL (avg)   406       .263       .324       .379       6       7

I like Melky. This wasn't a bad signing by Dayton. He may be useful as tradebait in July.

CF Lorenzo Cain

Part of the Greinke deal, Lorenzo is a fast, young player who has earned a shot at starting. Unless there is an injury or a trade however, Lorenzo will be going to Omaha. I think there is going to be an injury or someone is going to be traded, and Lorenzo's number is going to be called. My advice to you, Lorenzo...Keep your suitcases packed and ready to go.

                    PA       BA       OBP       SLG       HR       SB

My projection:  300       .302       .345       .400       1       14

Bill James       562       .279       .345       .379       5       33

Marcel              279       .285       .342        .423       5       8

TOTAL (avg)    380       .289       .344       .401       4       18

The Bill James projection is huge. If Lorenzo does indeed play this well, Yost will be a happy man. I would be a happy man. There are few things in baseball that are more exciting than the stolen base.

RF Jeff Francoeur

Dayton and Frenchy go way back. It was practically a no brainer that Frenchy was going to be a Royal. Didn't Dayton Moore pack a giant, neon sign that blinked "Frenchy 2011 and I am in Heaven" when he went down to Florida for winter meetings?  Jeff has a good arm, defense and has that goofy smile. For some reason every time I see him, I see a teenage boy after you just tell him that there's pizza rolls in the oven.

Jeff has slimmed down and is ready to go. We all have heard the cliche promises and talk of how a player feels better than ever. He's reaching his prime, so he needs to show it with his bat, defense and leadership. Fans may be hard on him because they have heard from Dayton about OBP, yet we get guys who need Sherlock Holmes to find the bases.

                    PA       BA       OBP       SLG       HR       SB

My projection:  549       .269       .316       .350       11       9

Bill James       443       .267       .318       .425       13       5

Marcel              515       .258       .305       .396       12       5

TOTAL (avg)   502       .265       .313       .390       .12       6

LF Alex Gordon

He has been "The Sure Thing", "The next George Brett", "Gordo"...Now, he should be called "The Dominator". Such talent, work ethic, power, average...blah, blah, blah. Injuries, that upper-cut swing, and he is now an outfielder...and who has him on their fantasy team? Anyone? It all comes down to performance, and Alex knows this. He knows he's more loved in Nebraska than here. He knows what he has to do. This is it, Alex...Whacha got?

                    PA       BA       OBP       SLG       HR       SB

My projection: 400       .248       .347       .407       12       2

Bill James      564       .264       .356       .455       19       9

Marcel             369       .243       .331       .396       10       5

TOTAL (avg)   444       .252       .345       .419       14       5

I'm rooting for Alex Gordon a.k.a. "The Dominator". I'd LOVE him to start living up to his potential. But even if he does, he'll always be a guy that gets injured. He plays hard without thinking...and that leads to injuries, but it also could lead to stardom.

That is all for position players, even though we all know there will be other contribitors. What's going to happen to Maier and Blanco? What about Dyson? So many questions. If we knew the answers, the season wouldn't be nearly as interesting.

Next up...

Starting Pitchers...