Royals 2016 spring training roster breakdown

ROYALS 40-MAN ROSTER

*Age on July 1, 2016

PITCHERS (18)

No. 54 — Scott Alexander, L/L, 6-2, 190, 26

A southpaw reliever, Alexander had a 2.56 ERA in 63  1/3 innings at Class AAA Omaha before getting a September callup.

No. 50 — Miguel Almonte, R/R, 6-2, 180, 23

One of the organization’s top young arms, Almonte made his big-league debut in September, posting a 6.23 ERA in 8  2/3 innings. His stuff would play in the bullpen, but he could have more value as a starter.

No. 55 — Tim Collins, L/L, 5-7, 170, 26

The left-handed reliever underwent Tommy John surgery last March and may not be ready to return until sometime in April or May.

No. 17 — Wade Davis, R/R, 6-5, 220, 30

His status as closer secured, Davis is perhaps the preeminent reliever in baseball, compiling a 0.97 ERA in 139  1/3 innings the last two years.

No. 41 — Danny Duffy, L/L, 6-3, 205, 27

Will Duffy start or head to the bullpen? Duffy struggled at times in 2015, recording a 4.08 ERA in 136  2/3 innings (4.35 ERA as a starter).

No. 33 — Brian Flynn, L/L, 6-7, 250, 26

Acquired before last season in a deal for Aaron Crow, Flynn missed nearly all of 2015 with a torn lat muscle.

No. 40 — Kelvin Herrera, R/R, 5-10, 200, 26

He couldn’t quite replicate his dominant 2014 form, but Herrera (2.71 ERA in 2015) is a mainstay in the Royals’ bullpen formula.

No. 44 — Luke Hochevar, R/R, 6-5, 225, 32

Returning from Tommy John surgery, Hochevar had a 3.73 ERA in 50  2/3 relief innings in 2015. Can he get back to his dominant 2014 version?

No. 31 — Ian Kennedy, R/R, 6-0, 200, 31

The recipient of a five-year, $70 million contract, Kennedy will try to eat innings and improve on his 4.28 ERA in 168  1/3 innings last season.

No. 39 — Kris Medlen, S/R, 5-10, 190, 30

Last year, Medlen returned from a second Tommy John surgery and helped out midseason. This year, he’ll vie for a rotation spot.

No. 63 — Alec Mills, R/R, 6-4, 185, 24

A former 22nd-round pick in 2012, the 6-foot-4 Mills recorded a 3.02 ERA in 21 starts at Class A-advanced Wilmington.

No. 48 — Joakim Soria, R/R, 6-3, 200, 32

Back with the Royals for the first time since 2012, Soria (and his 2.53 ERA in 2015) will join the bridge to closer Wade Davis.

No. 64 — Matthew Strahm, R/L, 6-4, 180, 24

A 21st-round pick in 2012, Strahm is a big-framed southpaw who graduated to Class A-advanced Wilmington last year.

No. 51 — Jason Vargas, L/L, 6-0, 215, 33

Tommy John surgery derailed Vargas’ 2015 season in late July. With no setbacks, he could be a candidate to return in the late summer.

No. 30 — Yordano Ventura, R/R, 6-0, 180, 25

Ventura didn’t respond well after assuming the role of opening-day starter. After a tumultuous 2015, he’ll try to settle in and anchor the rotation.

No. 36 — Edinson Volquez, R/R, 6-0, 220, 32

Volquez was rock-solid in his first year with the Royals (3.55 ERA in 200  1/3 innings); he enters the second year of a two-year, $20 million deal

No. 32 — Chris Young, R/R, 6-10, 255, 37

A bargain in the regular season and hero in October, Young re-signed for two years, $11.5 million. He could start or add depth in long relief.

No. 15 — Kyle Zimmer, R/R, 6-3, 215, 24

A long-time curiosity because of his talent, the former No. 5 overall pick threw 64 innings last season at two levels after shoulder soreness delayed his start.

CATCHERS (3)

No. 7 — Tony Cruz, R/R, 5-11, 215, 29

Acquired from St. Louis in an offseason trade, Cruz will battle for the backup catcher role but could be ticketed for Omaha.

No. 9 — Drew Butera, R/R, 6-1, 200, 32

Just months after cradling the World Series’ final strike, Butera will try to hold off Cruz in battle to be Salvador Perez’s backup.

No. 13 — Salvador Perez, R/R, 6-3, 240, 26

Perez, the World Series MVP, displayed more power in 2015 (21 homers) but his overall production (.706 OPS) has plateaued.

INFIELDERS (9)

No. 24 — Christian Colon, R/R, 5-10, 190, 27

After clutch moment in the World Series, Colon will duel with Omar Infante at second base. Colon has a .361 OBP with limited power in 168 career plate appearances.

No. 19 — Cheslor Cuthbert, R/R, 6-1, 190, 23

He debuted last season and filled in for Mike Moustakas at third base. He’ll battle for a bench role or head to Class AAA Omaha.

No. 2 — Alcides Escobar, R/R, 6-1, 185, 29

Esky Magic helped set the tone for a world championship, but the Royals will hope for more than a .257 batting average and .293 OBP.

No. 35 — Eric Hosmer, L/L, 6-4, 225, 26

At age 26, Hosmer is coming off his most well-rounded season and an iconic playoff moment. He’s just entering his prime years.

No. 14 — Omar Infante, R/R, 5-11, 195, 34

Infante had surgery in November to remove bone chips from his right elbow; he’ll try to reclaim second base after an anemic offensive year in 2015

No. 27 — Raul Mondesi — S/R, 6-1, 185, 20

After debut in World Series, Mondesi won’t turn 21 until July 27. He’s ticketed for minors but his top-prospect status remains secure.

No. 25 — Kendrys Morales, S/R, 6-1, 225, 33

Morales raked in 2015, stroking 22 homers and 41 doubles with an .847 OPS. Can he replicate the production again?

No. 8 — Mike Moustakas, L/R, 6-0, 215, 27

Moustakas turned his career around in 2015, earning All-Star honors while batting .284 with 22 homers. He’ll likely bat second or sixth in a deep lineup.

No. 62 — Ramon Torres, S/R, 5-10, 155, 23

A product of the Dominican, Torres has been lost in the shuffle in Royals’ system. He’s a switch-hitter who can handle all infield spots.

OUTFIELDERS (10)

No. 38 — Jorge Bonifacio, R/R, 6-1, 195, 23

The corner outfield prospect repeated Class AA Northwest Arkansas last year, batting .240 with 17 homers in 125 games.

No. 6 — Lorenzo Cain, R/R, 6-2, 205, 30

One of the best center fielders in baseball, Cain finished third in the AL MVP voting and fourth in the American League in Wins Above Replacement.

No. 1 — Jarrod Dyson, L/R, 5-10, 160, 31

Dyson appears slated for regular playing time in right field; his defense and base-running bolster his value as a player.

No. 26 — Brett Eibner, R/R, 6-3, 195, 27

A second-round pick in 2010, Eibner batted .303 with 17 homers in 103 games at Class AAA Omaha last season.

No. 34 — Reymond Fuentes, L/L, 6-0, 160, 25

Boston took Fuentes in the first round of the 2009 draft. He hit .308 with nine homers in 107 games at Class AAA Omaha.

No. 4 — Alex Gordon, L/R, 6-1, 220, 32

His signing was the high point of the Kansas City offseason. He’s also healthy after battling wrist and groin ailments last season.

No. 0 — Terrance Gore, R/R, 5-7, 165, 25

Get a good look at him down in Surprise: The pinch-running extraordinaire will likely be limited to another late-season cameo.

No. 66 — Jose Martinez, R/R, 6-7, 210, 27

Martinez lit up the Pacific Coast League last season, batting .382 with a .461 on-base percentage for Class AAA Omaha in 98 games.

No. 16 — Paulo Orlando, R/R, 6-2, 210, 30

A burner on the basepaths and defensive maven, Orlando could slot in as the Royals’ fourth outfielder and platoon with Dyson in right field.

No. 12 — Bubba Starling, R/R, 6-4, 180, 23

There was light in 2015. Starling batted .279 with a .337 OBP and 39 extra-base hits at Class AA Northwest Arkansas. Club officials view his defense as major-league ready.

NON-ROSTER INVITES

PITCHERS (9)

No. 72 — Christian Binford, R/R, 6-6, 220, 23

A steady, mid-tier prospect, Binford was knocked around a bit in 2015 — he had a 5.22 ERA in 119 innings at Class AA and Class AAA.

No. 73 — Jonathan Dziedzic, R/L, 6-0, 165, 25

A 13th-round pick in 2013, the left-handed Dziedzic had a 3.12 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 138  1/3 innings at Class AA Northwest Arkansas.

No. 53 — Dillon Gee, R/R, 6-1, 205, 30

A former starter with the Mets, Gee could earn a spot in the Royals’ bullpen with a strong spring. He also adds depth to rotation picture.

No. 59 — David Huff, S/L, 6-1, 210, 31

A veteran left-hander, Huff spent most of the 2015 season with the Dodgers’ Class AAA affiliate.

No. 37 — John Lannan, L/L, 6-4, 235, 31

A former starter in the Nationals’ organization, Lannan toiled with Colorado’s Class AAA affiliate in 2015 (5.39 ERA in 152 innings).

No. 79 — Aroni Nina, R/R, 6-4, 180, 26

A lithe right-hander from the Dominican, Nina pitched at Class AA Northwest Arkansas last season.

No. 75 — Brooks Pounders, R/R, 6-4, 270, 25

Owner of one of baseball’s great names, the big-framed right-hander shined in a small sample at Class AA Northwest Arkansas last season.

No. 68 — Sam Selman, R/L, 6-3, 195, 25

A second-round pick out of Vanderbilt in 2012, Selman had a 5.27 ERA and struggled with command as a reliever at Class AA Northwest Arkansas

No. 67 — Chien-Ming Wang, R/R, 6-4, 225, 36

A former starter with the Yankees, Wang hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2013. He bounced around organizations (Atlanta to Seattle) in 2015.

CATCHERS (3)

No. 78 — Zane Evans, R/R, 6-2, 210, 24

A fourth-round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2013, Evans managed a .665 OPS at Class AA Northwest Arkansas last season.

No. 70 — Cam Gallagher, R/R, 6-3, 210, 23

A second-round pick in 2011, Gallagher repeated Class A-advanced Wilmington in 2015, hitting .245 in 77 games.

No. 71 — Parker Morin, L/R, 5-11, 195, 24

The left-handed hitting Morin hit .309 in 56 games for Class AA Northwest Arkansas last season.

INFIELDERS (4)

No. 61 — Orlando Calixte, R/R, 5-11, 160, 24

A Dominican product, Calixte spent 2015 at Class AAA Omaha and had a cup of coffee in Kansas City.

No. 43 — Dusty Coleman, R/R, 6-2, 205, 29

The journeyman infielder is back after a brief stop in the big leagues last season.

No. 46 — Cody Decker, R/R, 5-11, 225, 29

A first baseman who came up in the Padres organization, Decker is expected to provide depth at Class AAA Omaha.

No. 60 — Hunter Dozier, R/R, 6-4, 220, 24

A toolsy prospect with upside, the former first-round pick hit .213 while repeating Class AA Northwest Arkansas in 2015

OUTFIELDERS (2)

No. 65 — Whit Merrifield, R/R, 6-1, 175, 27

A former ninth-round pick in 2010, Merrifield has steadily climbed the ladder, hitting .265 in 135 games at Class AAA Omaha.

Travis Snider, L/L, 6-0, 235, 28

A former top prospect in Toronto, Snider is just two years removed from posting a .776 OPS in 140 games for the Pirates.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Royals 2016 spring training roster breakdown."