Kansas City Royals spring training roster breakdown

The Kansas City Royals open spring training on Feb. 19 when pitchers and catchers report to their complex in Surprise, Ariz. The full squad is due on Feb. 24.

The first game will be March 4 against the Rangers at Surprise Stadium. The regular season starts April 6 against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium.

Here is the Royals’ 40-man roster and a list of spring training invitees. The roster will be reduced to a 25-man active roster before opening day.

40-MAN ROSTER

*Age during majority of 2015 season

PITCHERS

No. 62 — Aaron Brooks, R/R, 6-4, 220, 25*

He’s bound for another assignment in the Class AAA rotation and serves as big-league depth.

No. 31 — Louis Coleman, R/R, 6-4, 205, 29

Coleman never found a groove after a preseason finger injury and finished with a 5.56 ERA.

No. 55 — Tim Collins, L/L, 5-7, 170, 25

He spent the majority of his season in the minors, but he’s still the team’s most prominent left-handed reliever — besides rookie Brandon Finnegan.

No. 17 — Wade Davis, R/R, 6-5, 220, 29

He is coming off one of the greatest relief seasons in recent memory: A 1.00 ERA, a franchise-record 109 strikeouts in relief and zero homers allowed.

No. 41 — Danny Duffy, L/L, 6-3, 205, 26

Duffy posted a 2.54 ERA in 25 starts in 2014 — but missed almost all of the playoffs due to a ribcage injury. With James Shields gone, his role figures to only expand.

No. 27 — Brandon Finnegan, L/L, 5-11, 185, 22

What’s next for the team’s 2014 first-round pick? He could either work as a late-inning reliever in the majors, or head back to the minors to gain experience as a starter.

No. 33 — Brian Flynn, L/L, 6-7, 250, 25

The Royals acquired the hulking southpaw (4.07 ERA in Class AAA last season) as part of the deal that sent Aaron Crow to Miami.

No. 54 — Jason Frasor, R/R, 5-9, 180, 37

The veteran righty gave up only three earned runs in 23 appearances with Kansas City after joining the club midway through 2014. He’ll reprise his role in middle relief.

No. 64 — Jandel Gustave, R/R, 6-2, 160, 22

The Rule 5 pick possesses a blazing fastball, but still managed only a 5.01 ERA in Class A as part of the Astros organization last season.

No. 11 — Jeremy Guthrie, R/R, 6-1, 205, 36

Guthrie is the eldest member of the starting rotation, but he has been a consistent provider of 200 useful innings these past two seasons.

No. 40 — Kelvin Herrera, R/R, 5-10, 200, 25

He bounced back from a rocky 2013 to become the first line of defense in the team’s late-game trio. After the All-Star break, Herrera carried a 0.58 ERA.

No. 44 — Luke Hochevar, R/R, 6-5, 225, 31

Tommy John surgery cost him all of 2014. He returns now to team with Wade Davis and adds depth to the back end of the club’s bullpen. Can he match his breakout 2013 performance?

No. 56 — Greg Holland, R/R, 5-10, 205, 29

His reign as the American League’s best closer appears unchallenged. Now, with his salary rising, Holland can only look to repeat his success.

No. 38 — John Lamb, L/L, 6-4, 205, 24

Once a top prospect, Lamb is still wending his way back from Tommy John surgery in 2011. He had a decent campaign with Omaha last season, and is bound for their rotation once more.

No. 48 — Michael Mariot, R/R, 6-0, 190, 26

He checked in with the big-league club for most of the first half of 2014, but usually in a mop-up role. He’ll get a chance to compete for a spot in the bullpen this spring.

No. 39 — Kris Medlen, S/R, 5-10, 190, 29

Before he underwent Tommy John surgery last spring, Medlen shined as a starter in Atlanta. The Royals hope he’ll be ready by midseason.

No. 63 — Yohan Pino, R/R, 6-2, 190, 31

The former Twin is bound for Omaha, where he’ll likely work in the rotation and provide some insurance for the big-leaguers.

No. 51 — Jason Vargas, L/L, 6-0, 215, 32

In the first season of a four-year contract, Vargas rewarded Kansas City in 2014 with a career-low 3.71 ERA and a career-best 3.12 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

No. 30 — Yordano Ventura, R/R, 6-0, 180, 23

He may not start on opening day, but Ventura is expected to lead this rotation. It’s a tall task for his sophomore campaign.

No. 36 — Edinson Volquez, R/R, 6-0, 220, 31

Always in possession of tantalizing talent, Volquez rebuilt his value with a solid season for Pittsburgh in 2014. The Royals rewarded him with a two-year, $20 million contract.

CATCHERS

No. 19 — Erik Kratz, R/R, 6-4, 240, 35

He’s the most likely choice to back up Salvador Perez. His power is impressive.

No. 26 — Francisco Peña, R/R, 6-2, 230, 25

The son of former Royals manager Tony Peña, he impressed club officials in his first season in the organization. Peña hit 27 home runs for Omaha.

No. 13 — Salvador Perez, R/R, 6-3, 240, 25

Perez faded badly in the second half of 2014, unwound by an unmanageable load of playing time. Ned Yost has committed to sitting him more often this year.

INFIELDERS

No. 16 — Orlando Calixte, R/R, 5-11, 160, 23

The shortstop spent the last two seasons at Class AA Northwest Arkansas.

No. 24 — Christian Colon, R/R, 5-10, 190, 26

Colon looked solid in his big-league debut last season, hitting .333 in 21 games, and figures to get some at-bats at second base and third base.

No. 61 — Cheslor Cuthbert, R/R, 6-1, 190, 22

Moved off third base last year for fellow prospect Hunter Dozier, Cuthbert now will try to reach majors as a utility player.

No. 2 — Alcides Escobar, R/R, 6-1, 185, 28

The offense came alive after Escobar moved into the leadoff spot last September, so the slick-handed shortstop will bring his .299 career OBP back to that role again this season.

No. 35 — Eric Hosmer, L/L, 6-4, 225, 25

Can Hosmer become the player he resembled in October? With Billy Butler gone, Hosmer figures to shoulder even more of the offensive responsibility.

No. 14 — Omar Infante, R/R, 5-11, 195, 33

The Royals hope Infante, dogged by shoulder and back injuries in 2014, can rebound during the second season of a four-year contract that suddenly looks onerous.

No. 25 — Kendrys Morales, S/R, 6-1, 225, 32

Kansas City is backing on a bounce-back season from a player who hit 45 homers in 2012 and 2013.

No. 8 — Mike Moustakas, L/R, 6-0, 195, 26

A promising October obscured another frightful offensive season for Moustakas, who the club hopes reached a turning point during the playoffs.

OUTFIELDERS

No. 45 — Lane Adams, R/R, 6-4, 190, 25

Adams possesses impressive athleticism, with 38 stolen bases in the minors in 2014, and a useful approach at the plate. He could make the club as an extra outfielder.

No. 7 — Jorge Bonifacio, R/R, 6-1, 195, 22

Bonifacio’s progress stalled at Class AA Northwest Arkansas last season, with 127 strikeouts in 132 games.

No. 8 — Lorenzo Cain, R/R, 6-2, 205, 29

Cain lived the dream last season: He stayed healthy for most of the year, he starred in October and he became a new father along the way.

No. 1 — Jarrod Dyson, L/R, 5-10, 160, 30

Ned Yost utilized Dyson as a weapon down the stretch, both as a pinch-runner and as part of the team’s late-game defensive adjustments.

No. 34 — Reymond Fuentes, L/L, 6-0, 160, 24

Boston took Fuentes in the first round of the 2009 draft. Between Class AA and Class AAA with San Diego last year, he posted a .779 OPS.

No. 4 — Alex Gordon, L/R, 6-1, 220, 31

He is coming off wrist surgery and approaching possible free agency. The franchise’ cornerstone may be at a crossroads.

No. 0 — Terrance Gore, R/R, 5-7, 165. 24

Get a good look at him down in Surprise: The pinch-running extraordinaire won’t be back in the majors until September.

No. 72 — Paulo Orlando, R/R, 6-2, 210, 29

Royals officials view Orlando, a native of Sao Paulo, as a defensive maven. His .770 OPS in Omaha last season was the second-highest of his nine minor-league seasons.

No. 15 — Alex Rios, R/R, 6-5, 210, 34

Like Kendrys Morales, Rios arrives as a free agent looking to refurbish his value. Hampered by a thumb injury, he hit a mere four homers in 2014.

NON-ROSTER INVITES

PITCHERS

Scott Alexander, L/L, 6-2, 190, 26

The southpaw reliever struggled during a stint in Omaha last season.

Miguel Almonte, R/R, 6-2, 180, 22

Almonte experienced some bumps in the developmental road in Class A Wilmington, but he’ll be part of a stacked rotation in Class AA Northwest Arkansas this summer.

Buddy Baumann, L/L, 5-10, 175, 27

Baumann, a left-hander from Missouri State, posted a 3.20 ERA as a swingman in Omaha.

Christian Binford, R/R, 6-6, 220, 22

All Binford does is throw strikes. He walked only 22 batters in 140 2/3 innings last season.

Brian Broderick, R/R, 6-6, 205, 28

Acquired from the Angels in exchange for Johnny Giavotella, Broderick was last seen in the majors in 2011 with Washington.

No. 25 — Casey Coleman, L/R, 6-0, 185, 28

Coleman finished with a 2.15 ERA in Omaha after the Cubs cut him loose last year.

Chris Dwyer, R/L, 6-3, 210, 27

Once a promising prospect, Dwyer lost his spot on the 40-man roster after a troubling 2014 campaign, as he continued to battle a thyroid condition that robbed him of fastball velocity.

Ryan Madson, L/R, 6-6, 210, 34

The former Phillies closer hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2011, as he’s been undone by a series of complications after Tommy John surgery.

Sean Manaea, L/L, 6-5, 235, 23

Manaea, a first-round pick in 2013, dominated Class A Wilmington in the second half, with a 1.45 ERA after June.

Joe Paterson, R/L, 6-0, 190, 29

More southpaw depth: Paterson pitched sparingly for the Diamondbacks after 2011.

CATCHERS

J.C. Boscan, R/R, 6-2, 215, 35

Boscan joins his sixth organization as organizational depth. He saw 30 plate appearances for the Braves and the Cubs from 2010 to 2013.

Cam Gallagher, R/R, 6-3, 210, 22

A second-round pick in 2011, Gallagher managed a .640 OPS with Class A Wilmington last season.

Parker Morin, L/R, 5-11, 195, 23

Morin grinded his way to Class AAA Omaha last season. He hit .206 for Class Northwest Arkansas along the way.

INFIELDERS

Hunter Dozier, R/R, 6-4, 220, 23

His prospects status cooled after a lengthy struggle in Class AA, with an .615 OPS in 64 games, but Royals officials still view him as a huge asset.

Matt Fields, R/R, 6-5, 235, 29

Fields mashed in Omaha last season, with 28 homers and 29 doubles, but still didn’t earn a call-up in September.

Ryan Jackson, R/R, 6-3, 180, 27

Jackson missed almost all of 2014 as he underwent wrist surgery. He had been in San Diego’s minor-league system.

Raul Mondesi, S/R, 6-1, 165, 19

Mondesi is the team’s top position prospect, a sure-handed shortstop who held his own at a young age in Class A Wilmington last season.

Gabriel Noriega, R/R, 6-2, 180, 24

A utility man with experience at shortstop, second and third, Noriega spent last season with Seattle’s Class AAA affiliate.

Ryan Roberts, R/R, 5-11, 185, 34

The veteran known as Tat Man could make the club as a backup third baseman to spot Mike Moustakas against left-handed pitchers.

OUTFIELDERS

Brett Eibner, R/R, 6-3, 195, 26

A second-round pick in 2010, Eibner likely will get a second chance to succeed at Class AAA Omaha in 2015.

Whit Merrifield, R/R, 6-1, 175, 26

The lithe outfielder hit a career-best .319 in 2014, including a .340 outburst in 76 games with Omaha.

Moises Sierra, R/R, 6-1, 220, 26

Sierra is an intriguing player, who was cut loose by the White Sox despite a decent season at the plate.

Bubba Starling, R/R, 6-4, 180, 22

The Royals refuse to give up hope on Starling, the $7.5 million first-round pick from 2011, despite continued struggles at the plate.

This story was originally published February 7, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Kansas City Royals spring training roster breakdown."