Seriously: It’s A Great Time To Be A Royals Fan

Believe it or not, Royals faithful, you’re rooting for one of the best organizations in baseball right now.

No joke.

This is a wonderful time to be a Royals fan.

After the moves the team made at the trade deadline, the Kansas City Royals have one of the most stacked minor league systems in all of Major League Baseball. In fact, it’s not difficult to envision a Royals renaissance in the coming seasons.

Starting as soon as next year, the Royals will be able to start cashing in on some of their recent high draft picks. But just for fun, let’s look three years into the future. Here’s a projected lineup for the 2013 Kansas City Royals:

1. Derrick Robinson, CF

Robinson is lightning fast – perhaps even the fastest player in all of pro ball right now. He should be a great leadoff hitter.

2. David DeJesus, RF

DeJesus should settle in as the centerpiece of this offense. I like him in the No. 2 spot.

3. Mike Moustakas, 3B

Moose should be the starting third baseman in 2011. By 2013, he may be an All-Star.

4. Kila Ka’aihue, DH

Kila is back in the majors this week, and my guess is he’ll never leave. I think he’s a permanent fixture for the next couple decades.

5. Billy Butler, 1B

Even if he continues playing at his current level and gets no better, Billy is a fine No. 5 hitter in this or any lineup.

6. Alex Gordon OR Eric Hosmer, LF

Let’s hope Gordon can find a home in the outfield. If not, Hosmer is waiting in the wings, and it would be logical to convert the first baseman to an outfielder with Butler and Ka’aihue in the system.

7. Mike Aviles, 2B

Aviles could even hit lower in the lineup if necessary. He could be a strong veteran leader on this club in three years.

8. Wil Myers, C

Myers is full of potential. Hopefully in three years he’s ready to take over the starting job.

9. Christian Colon, SS

Colon projects as one of those guys who could basically be a second leadoff hitter in the lineup. And when Robinson needs a day off, Colon could slip into the No. 1 spot.

That’s a darn good lineup. Lots of speed, a good amount of power, and strong, young bats.
Of course, this is overly optimistic.

Or is it? What’s so difficult to believe about this scenario? The only major pitfall is that some of the younger guys (Moustakas, Colon, Myers) don’t pan out. That could happen, and likely will happen with at least one or two of these prospects.

But even still, what a fine young team we have here.

The pitching rotation and bullpen are slightly more difficult to predict. Of course, everyone hopes Zack Greinke and Joakim Soria will be as dominant as they are now. Maybe Luke Hochevar and Brian Bannister figure things out. I don’t foresee Gil Meche or Bruce Chen as a part of the rotation in 2013.

But even if it’s just Greinke who remains from the 2010 rotation, the Royals have a lot of potential candidates in the minors. Some have struggled this year (while 2010 in Major League Baseball has been the Year of the Pitcher, it has not been that way in the Royals’ farm system; hitters have ruled this year). But others are finally coming into their own.

This is exciting, Royals fans. Remember this time. It should be the beginning of something big.

Matt Kelsey is a Royals writer for I-70 Baseball. He can be reached at mattkelsey@i70baseball.com.