The Royals’ outfield wasn’t productive in 2024. They found new approaches this offseason
The Kansas City Royals entered the offseason with a few pressing needs.
Finding a new leadoff hitter and bolstering their lineup with more offensive production topped the list.
The club checked off the first item by acquiring Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds in a blockbuster trade. He’s off to a strong start this spring and will lead off, setting the stage for the likes of Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez.
One question still looms, however: Can KC’s current crop of outfielders provide more consistent offense?
The Royals attempted to add a middle-of-the-order bat this offseason. They were reportedly interested in free agents Anthony Santander and Jurickson Profar. Other names surfaced in rumors, but each signed elsewhere.
Now, the Royals hope returning outfielders MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel and Hunter Renfroe can rebound from their respective struggles in 2024. The trio registered a combined 0.9 WAR last season: Melendez at -0.9, Isbel 1.8 and Renfroe 0.0.
Kansas City’s corner outfielders had a combined sub-.650 OPS (on-base plus slugging), per FanGraphs.
Isbel is eager to show improvement this year after a season in which he and his fellow KC outfielders weathered some criticism.
“I don’t think as players that is something you pay attention to,” Isbel said. “Every offseason, your goal is to try to get better. That’s every aspect of your game — defensively and offensively — while learning more about the game. It’s our job to grow and get better as players every day.”
Isbel, Renfroe and Melendez went back to the drawing board this offseason.
Melendez admitted he didn’t play well last year. So he made adjustments aimed at correcting his swing balance. One of the biggest was ditching his high leg-kick prior to making contact.
The Royals have worked closely with Melendez this spring. He has also altered his hand placement, allowing him to react better to incoming pitches.
“I want to play this game as long as possible and I want to play at the highest level,” he said. “That comes with consistency, and I don’t think anything should be given. I’m very thankful for this organization (and) that I have been given plenty of opportunities. And I just want to prove them right.”
Renfroe also looks different in camp this year. He arrived in better shape and said he felt healthier after dealing with hamstring issues last season.
The Royals need Renfroe to supply them with some right-handed power. He has typically been reliable for at least 20 home runs and an OPS of .700 or greater.
But lingering soreness in a hamstring sapped Renfroe’s productivity in 2024. He is determined to contribute with a healthy campaign in 2025.
“My Achilles was bothering me a little bit,” he said of last season, “and trying to navigate that kind of got the hamstring tight and the lower back. The Achilles kind of compounded the hamstring a little bit.”
Renfroe said he rested this offseason. He took a month off to heal before beginning his offseason baseball activities.
“I feel good now,” he said. “I slimmed down a little bit and the body feels fine. I was trying to come here to work on progression and get ready to go.”
The Royals also hope to get more out of Isbel this year. He is talented defensively and club officials believe he can reach another level at the plate.
Isbel hit .229 with eight home runs and 42 RBIs last year. He posted a .287 OPS from the ninth spot in the lineup.
He showed flashes of a patient approach, as he drew 27 walks in 384 at-bats. The Royals would like him to get on base more often in order to have runners in scoring position for the top of the order.
“It was the offensive approach,” Isbel said of his offseason work. “Just fine-tuning that and learning different pitch shapes and how to counter those pitches.”
Royals hitting coach Alec Zumwalt is excited to see the outfield trio’s progress on the field. The Royals have experimented with India and fellow infielders Michael Massey and Maikel Garcia in the outfield this spring, as well.
But the Royals’ coaching staff knows Melendez, Isbel and Renfroe must play key roles if the club is to make good on its aspirations of a deeper playoff run.
“For us, it’s getting Renfroe back to what Renfroe does best, and that is driving the baseball again,” Zumwalt said. “We saw it in little glimpses last year and we can get the stretch to be bigger. He is a game-changer for us. He is that middle-of-the-order bat.
“Getting MJ back (too), and if we can get Isbel, there is still way more ceiling in his abilities, too. … I feel like we’ve got our core. I believe in our guys.”
The Royals open the regular season on March 27 against the Cleveland Guardians. A more productive outfield could be the key to winning the American League Central.
“I want to help the team win as many games as possible and get to our final goal of winning the World Series,” Renfroe said.
This story was originally published March 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
