Taylor’s the central piece in Royals’ outfield, but they have an offseason of options

The Kansas City Royals’ outfield may be the team’s most intriguing unit this offseason because of the bevy of young talent both present and knocking at the door, the multiplicity of potential outfield configurations as well as the potential for additions.

Michael A. Taylor remains the centerpiece of the outfield as he enters the final year of a two-year extension he signed after the 2020 season. His presence also allows the Royals time to ease younger and less experienced outfielders into daily playing time in the majors.

Taylor’s veteran presence and elite defensive ability stabilizes the outfield and gives the Royals the potential of having a strong up-the-middle combination that includes last year’s Gold Glove winner Taylor in center field and five-time Gold Glove winner Salvador Perez behind the plate at catcher.

Taylor missed out on a second consecutive Gold Glove as Cleveland’s Myles Straw grabbed the honor on Tuesday. Taylor logged an MLB-best 19 defensive runs saved among qualified center fielders.

Through August 1, Taylor slashed .280/.352/.395 and also posted the lowest strikeout rate of his career this season.

He’d likely provide a potential attractive trade chip next season at the deadline considering what will be an expiring contract.

Defensively, some of the metrics placed the Royals among the better defensive outfield units in the majors this season. They led all MLB teams in defensive runs saved by center fielders, and their ultimate zone rating (UZR) for left fielders ranked second-best in the majors and fifth among right fielders.

Their three starting outfielders on Opening Day Royals were each Gold Glove finalists, with Taylor up for the honor in center, Andrew Benintendi in left field and Whit Merrifield up for the first utility player Gold Glove.

While the Royals acquired Drew Waters from the Atlanta Braves via a trade with an eye towards him potentially being the future center fielder, they felt like he’d benefit from work with their hitting development staff.

The switch-hitting Waters had just 122 at-bats at Triple-A Omaha before the Royals brought him up to the majors. He showed off some of his enticing potential in the big leagues — he slashed .317/.378/.707 with four home runs, seven extra-base hits and 11 RBIs in his last 12 games — but he also struck out at a high rate (36.7%) over his 32-game span in the majors.

Having Taylor in center on a daily basis may give the Royals the luxury of continuing to refine Waters’ approach at the plate in the early portion of the season.

Defensively, Waters can play all three spots and that could make him a factor in right field if he forces his way into the lineup before the Royals are ready to part with Taylor.

Melendez finds a spot in left field

MJ Melendez, who hadn’t played a professional game in the outfield before the 2022 season, heads into the offseason as the presumptive everyday left fielder. He played catcher, left field, right field and designated hitter in his first taste of the majors.

His offensive ability warrants the Royals getting his bat in the lineup on a daily basis, and he largely settled into left field after the Royals traded Benintendi and Perez returned from thumb surgery.

Melendez ranked fourth among rookies in walk rate (12.4%) with a minimum of 250 plate appearances, the best walk rate by a rookie in Royals history. His 66 walks were second most in the majors in 2022 among players who are 23 or younger behind only San Diego Padres star Juan Soto (135).

By his own admission, Melendez needs to be more consistent at the plate. He finished the season with a slash line of .217/.313/.393 to go with 18 home runs in 129 games.

It could also be interesting to see what sort of strides he makes if he actually goes into next season with a focus on left field.

Interesting options in right field

Right field is an interesting proposition going into the offseason because even with Taylor and Melendez penciled into two of the three spots, the remaining options still include Hunter Dozier, Nate Eaton, Kyle Isbel, Edward Olivares, Brent Rooker and Waters.

Right field also appears one of the likely places, along with third base and backup catcher, where the Royals could look to acquire a player this offseason via trade of free agency. If there’s a steady option that offers more predictable and reliable production than their young players, they could go that route.

Olivares has been one of the most productive hitters when healthy, but he lost 96 games to the Injured List in 2022. In 53 games during a disjointed and injury-plagued season, Olivares slashed .286/.333/.410 with four home runs and eight doubles.

Defensively, his athleticism hasn’t translated to above-average play in the outfield. He’ll be part of the plans in 2023, but the Royals may not count on him as an everyday option. Designated hitter at-bats might also be a best option for Olivares.

Isbel started in right field on Opening Day in 2021, and he has the ability to play all three outfield positions. His offense has been streaky and much better at home (.257 batting average) than on the road (.155 batting average).

Dozier could factor into right field depending on whether the Royals explore options at third base. Eaton and Rooker seem likely to benefit from regular playing time in the minors early in the season.

THE ROYALS’ OUTFIELD

Start of the season: Andrew Benintendi (seventh season), Hunter Dozier (sixth season, infielder/outfielder), Kyle Isbel (second season), Whit Merrifield (seventh season, infielder/outfielder), Ryan O’Hearn (fifth season, first base/outfield), Edward Olivares (third season), Michael A. Taylor (ninth season).

End of the season: Nate Eaton (first season), Dozier (sixth season), Isbel (second season), MJ Melendez (first season), O’Hearn (fifth season), Olivares (third season), Taylor (ninth season), Drew Waters (first season).

Playing time breakdown: Benintendi (84 starts in left field), Dairon Blanco (two starts in center field), Dozier (18 starts in right field, 4 starts in left field), Eaton (13 starts in right field, 4 starts in center field, 3 starts in left field), Isbel (28 starts in right field, 25 starts in center field, 19 starts in left field), Brewer Hicklen (1 start in center field), Melendez (23 starts in left field, 14 starts in right field), Merrifield (34 starts in right field, 15 starts in center field), Olivares (24 starts in right field, 11 starts in left field), Nick Pratto (6 starts in left field, 1 start in right field), Brent Rooker (3 starts in left field), Taylor (114 starts in center field), Waters (16 starts in right field, 10 starts in center field, two starts in left field).

Royals 2022 infield production: Left field: .271/.332/.373 slashline, 12 HRs, 98 runs, 84 RBIs, 2.8 WARf, 102 weighted runs created, 6 defensive runs saved, 11 UZR, (ultimate zone rating); Center field: .238/.298/.366 slashline, 19 HRs, 96 runs, 91 RBIs, 2.7 WARf, 86 weighted runs created, 16 defensive runs saved, 5.6 UZR, (ultimate zone rating); Right field: .240/.295/.373 slashline, 34 HRs, 203 runs, 172 RBIs, 1.6 WARf, 177 weighted runs created, -5 defensive runs saved, 4.5 UZR, (ultimate zone rating).