Get your programs!
Spring training begins this week and the Royals will have 63 players in camp vying for the 25 roster spots the Royals will carry for the season opener on April 3.
Here are the 33 position players and 30 pitchers the Royals will have in big league camp when they begin their first full squad work out on February 18.
For "2016 Club", OMA means Omaha (AAA), NWA means Northwest Arkansas (AA), WIL means Wilmington (High A), LEX means Lexington (Low A), and ASL means Arizona Summer League.
Position Players
#
Name
B/T
DOB
40-man?
2016 Club
IF
Arteaga, Humberto
R/R
1/23/1994
No
WIL/NWA
The 23-year old utility infielder hasn't hit much at all in the minors with a .585 career OPS.
38
OF
Bonifacio, Jorge
R/R
6/4/1993
Yes
OMA
Had a huge home/road split with 14 of his 19 home runs coming in Omaha's Werner Park.
14
OF
Burns, Billy
S/R
8/30/1989
Yes
Nashville/Oakland/OMA/KC
The mantis caretaker has plus speed, but with one more option year may start in minors.
9
C
Butera, Drew
R/R
8/9/1983
Yes
Kansas City
Will serve as the backup catcher after having a career year offensively and signing a two-year deal.
6
OF
Cain, Lorenzo
R/R
4/13/1986
Yes
Kansas City
The starting centerfielder played just 103 games last year, lowest since 2012.
IF
Cecchini, Garin
L/R
4/20/1991
No
Colorado Springs (COL)
Former top 100 prospect with the Red Sox can play first base, third base, and left field.
24
IF
Colon, Christian
R/R
5/14/1989
Yes
OMA/Kansas City
Post-season hero is out of options, and will need to make the club as a utility infielder.
19
IF
Cuthbert, Cheslor
R/R
11/16/1992
Yes
OMA/Kansas City
Impressed with a 93 OPS+ at age 23, but is out of options with an unclear role on MLB roster.
60
OF
Dozier, Hunter
R/R
8/22/1991
Yes
NWA/OMA
Was the organization's top hitting prospect last year after a disastrous 2015 season.
1B
Duenez, Samir
L/R
6/11/1996
Yes
LEX/WIL/NWA
Signed for a big bonus but hadn't shown much offensively until last year.
OF
Escalera, Alfredo
R/R
2/17/1995
No
WIL/NWA
Young raw outfielder hasn't developed offensively yet, but shows good speed.
2
SS
Escobar, Alcides
R/R
12/16/1986
Yes
Kansas City
Former Gold Glove shortstop saw his defensive metrics decline in 2016.
C
Evans, Zane
R/R
11/29/1991
No
BUR/NWA/OMA
Good defender but hasn't hit much and is in camp to give pitchers someone to throw to.
C
Fernandez, Xavier
R/R
7/15/1995
No
LEX
Hasn't made prospect lists, but the Puerto Rican-born Fernandez has hit at every level.
C
Gallagher, Cam
R/R
12/6/1992
Yes
NWA
Good defender that was added to the 40-man roster last winter, but bat still lags behind.
4
OF
Gordon, Alex
L/R
2/10/1984
Yes
Kansas City
Starting left-fielder will look to bounce back after career-worst numbers offensively.
0
OF
Gore, Terrance
R/R
6/8/1991
Yes
NWA/Kansas City
Can he make the big leagues on speed alone? The speedster stole 55 bases in AA and MLB last year.
35
1B
Hosmer, Eric
L/L
10/24/1989
Yes
Kansas City
Last year's All-Star Game MVP will look for a big contract year heading into free agency.
15
IF
Merrifield, Whit
R/R
1/24/1989
Yes
OMA/Kansas City
Merrifield impressed in his rookie season and will challenge for the starting second base job.
27
IF
Mondesi, Raul
S/R
7/27/1995
Yes
WIL/NWA/OMA/KC
Mondesi has loads of potential but seemed overwhelmed in the big leagues last year.
C
Morin, Parker
L/R
7/2/1991
No
OMA
Followed up a career year in 2015 with a disastrous season in 2016, hitting just .185.
37
OF
Moss, Brandon
L/R
9/16/1983
Yes
St. Louis
Free agent slugger was fifth in baseball in average distance on balls hit and should serve as DH.
8
3B
Moustakas, Mike
L/R
9/11/1988
Yes
Kansas City
All-Star third baseman will try to bounce back from ACL injury that cost him over four months.
OF
O'Brien, Peter
R/R
7/15/1990
Yes
Reno/Arizona
Has hit 84 home runs in the minors over the last three seasons, but struggles defensively.
1B
O'Hearn, Ryan
L/L
7/26/1993
No
WIL/NWA
One of the best power hitters in the Royals system, but struck out 158 times last year.
16
OF
Orlando, Paulo
R/R
11/1/1985
Yes
Kansas City
The Brazilian hit .302 last year, but slumped late in the year and will serve as a fourth outfielder.
C
Pena, Brayan
S/R
1/7/1982
No
Memphis/St. Louis
Former Royals catcher was brought back on a minor league deal to serve as depth.
13
C
Perez, Salvador
R/R
5/10/1990
Yes
Kansas City
The All-Star has caught 440 regular season and post-season games over the last three seasons.
12
OF
Soler, Jorge
R/R
2/25/1992
Yes
Tenn./Iowa/Chi.Cubs
Power hitter acquired for Wade Davis has hit 27 HR in 211 career MLB games.
OF
Starling, Bubba
R/R
8/3/1992
Yes
NWA/OMA
Former first round pick continued his offensive struggles last season, hitting just .183.
62
IF
Torres, Ramon
S/R
1/22/1993
Yes
NWA/OMA
Switch-hitting infielder has shown some promise, but his bat was underwhelming last season.
2B
Toups, Corey
R/R
2/12/1993
No
WIL/NWA
Can play some shortstop as well and shows good power for a middle infielder.
C
Vallot, Chase
R/R
8/21/1996
No
ASL/LEX
Shows tremendous power potential, but needs to cut down on strikeouts and improve defense.
Pitchers
#
Name
B/T
DOB
40-man?
2016 Club
P
Alburquerque, Al
R/R
6/10/1986
No
Salt Lake/LA Angels
Former Tigers reliever shows a plus slider, but has trouble throwing strikes at times.
54
P
Alexander, Scott
L/L
7/10/1989
Yes
OMA/Kansas City
Lefty reliever has performed well in limited big league action, but could be a numbers casualty
50
P
Almonte, Miguel
R/R
4/4/1993
Yes
NWA/OMA
Power arm still has lots of potential, but took a big step back last year, getting demoted a level.
P
Caramo, Yender
R/R
8/25/1991
No
NWA/OMA
The Venezuelan performed well last year and can throw strikes, but doesn't strike out a lot of hitters.
P
Culver, Malcom
R/R
2/9/1990
No
OMA
Too old to be a prospect, but showed signs he could be a useful reliever last year.
41
P
Duffy, Danny
L/L
12/21/1988
Yes
Kansas City
Took a huge step forward last year and will be expected to anchor rotation after signing a five-year deal.
P
Dziedzic, Jonathan
R/L
2/4/1991
No
OMA
Lefty shows some promise, but needs to sharpen command of the strike zone.
P
Edwards, Andrew
R/R
10/7/1991
Yes
NWA/OMA
Throws hard and was a AAA All-Star, but struggled late in the year and needs to throw more strikes.
P
Farrell, Luke
R/R
6/7/1991
No
ASL/OMA
Son of the Red Sox manager, overcame cancer to become a fringe pitching prospect.
33
P
Flynn, Brian
L/L
4/19/1990
Yes
OMA/Kansas City
Versatile lefty impressed with the Royals last year and could be a solid bullpen option.
39
P
Hammel, Jason
R/R
9/2/1982
Yes
Chi. Cubs
Solid mid-rotation option signed to a good deal, but has never thrown 180 innings in a season.
40
P
Herrera, Kelvin
R/R
12/31/1989
Yes
Kansas City
Will take over closer duties after saving 12 games last year while Wade Davis was out.
P
Junis, Jake
R/R
9/16/1992
Yes
NWA/OMA
A strike-thrower who has performed well at each level and could be a back-end rotation option soon.
P
Karns, Nathan
R/R
11/25/1987
Yes
Seattle
Acquired from the Mariners for Jarrod Dyson, he can miss bats but has trouble going deep in games.
31
P
Kennedy, Ian
R/R
12/19/1984
Yes
Kansas City
Had a 2.66 ERA over his last 13 starts and will be the #2 pitcher in the rotation.
P
League, Brandon
R/R
3/16/1983
No
Did not play.
Sinkerballer saved 37 games for the Blue Jays in 2011, but missed last year with a shoulder injury.
61
P
McCarthy, Kevin
R/R
2/22/1992
Yes
NWA/OMA
Could be a useful reliever with a shot to make this team, although he has very little MLB experience.
66
P
Minor, Mike
R/L
12/26/1987
Yes
OMA
Last pitched in a big league game in 2014 due to labrum surgery, suffered setbacks in rehab last year.
P
Parnell, Bobby
R/R
9/8/1984
No
Toledo/Detroit
Former Mets closer hasn't been the same since Tommy John surgery in 2014.
P
Puckett, A.J.
R/R
5/27/1995
No
ASL/LEX
Royals second-round pick in 2016, could be a fast riser through the system.
P
Sanchez, Jonathan
L/L
11/19/1982
No
Did not play.
Was a disaster for the Royals in 2012, and hasn't pitched in affiliated ball since 2014.
P
Skoglund, Eric
L/L
10/26/1992
No
NWA
Under-the-radar prospect who has performed well at each level and could help rotation later this year.
48
P
Soria, Joakim
R/R
5/18/1984
Yes
Kansas City
Will try to put 2016 struggles behind him with two years left on his contract.
P
Staumont, Josh
R/R
12/21/1993
No
WIL/NWA
Dark horse candidate for the bullpen with his 100 mph fastball if he can find the strike zone.
P
Stout, Eric
L/L
3/27/1993
No
NWA
Performed well in Arizona Fall League and could be a lefty bullpen candidate.
64
P
Strahm, Matt
R/L
11/12/1991
Yes
NWA/Kansas City
Was sensational in the bullpen last year, but club sees him as a starting pitcher long-term.
51
P
Vargas, Jason
L/L
2/2/1983
Yes
NWA/OMA/Kansas City
Will try to pitch his first full season since Tommy John surgery in 2015.
P
Withrow, Chris
R/R
4/1/1989
No
Rome/Gwinnett/Atlanta
Former first round pick was useful in Braves pen last year, but poor strikeout and walk numbers.
32
P
Young, Chris
R/R
5/25/1979
Yes
Kansas City
Gave up 28 home runs in just 88 2/3 innings, but will try to win back a rotation spot.
45
P
Zimmer, Kyle
R/R
9/13/1991
Yes
WIL/NWA
The best stuff in the organization, but has pitched just 74 1/3 innings over the past three years.