2026 Kansas City Royals Opening Day Roster, v. 1.0

Opening  Day is 77 days away. That feels close (typically anything under 100 days does), which means that Royals fans are thinking about what the roster will look like when they travel to Atlanta for their Opening Series. 

The Royals have certainly made their fair share of moves this offseason in an effort to get better and improve upon their 82-80 record from a season ago. They upgraded the outfield via free agency and trades and also got better by adding a high-leverage lefty reliever who can shut things down in the late innings. That said, it doesn't feel like Kansas City is quite done, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them make another big move or two before pitchers and catchers report in mid-February. 

While the club will continue to change over the next month, maybe two, let's take a look at what the Royals' Opening Day roster would look like if their opener against the Braves were tomorrow. 

Pitchers

Starting Rotation

• Cole Ragans
• Michael Wacha
• Kris Bubic
• Seth Lugo
• Noah Cameron

Ragans was mentioned in trade rumors early in the offseason, but it seems like the Royals are committed to him at least in 2025. Even though he posted a 4.67 ERA, he still posted a 2.1 fWAR and had a 14.30 K/9 in 61.2 IP. He should continue to be the "ace" of this rotation if healthy. 

Wacha and Lugo are the veterans of the staff, having signed extensions in the past calendar year. Wacha was solid again for the Royals, posting a 3.86 ERA and 3.6 fWAR in 172.2 IP, which led all Royals starters last year. He should continue to be the No. 2 starter in the rotation in 2026. As for Lugo, he took a step back after his Cy Young runner-up campaign in 2024. He posted a 4.15 ERA and 0.5 fWAR in 145.1 IP. However, he could be due for a bounce-back in 2026 if fully healthy. 

Bubic is a question mark for this rotation as his name has been frequently mentioned in trade talks this winter. He will be a free agent after 2026, and it doesn't seem likely that the Royals will sign him to an extension like Wacha, Lugo, or even Ragans. Thus, it's expected that Bubic won't be on this roster in our next rendition of these Opening Day roster projections.

The last spot in the rotation will likely go to Cameron, who earned Royals Pitcher of the Year honors after posting a 2.99 ERA and 1.8 fWAR in 138.1 IP. However, there could be some competition for that fifth spot if Cameron struggles in Spring Training or if Bubic is traded away. Trade-Deadline acquisitions Ryan Bergert posted a 3.66 ERA in 76.1 IP with the Padres and Royals last year, and Stephen Kolek also sported a 3.51 ERA in 112.2 IP with San Diego and Kansas City. They could be in play for a rotation spot in 2026 if something opens up this offseason. 

Relievers

• Carlos Estevez
• Lucas Erceg
• Matt Strahm
• John Schreiber
• Nick Mears
• Alex Lange
• Daniel Lynch IV
• Bailey Falter

After saving 42 games and posting a 2.45 ERA in 66 IP with the Royals last year, Estevez is pretty much guaranteed the closer role again in 2026. Erceg should also be solidified as the Royals' primary setup man, especially after posting a 2.64 ERA in 61.1 IP. That said, both could do a better job of generating strikeouts in 2026 as both sported K/9 marks under eight last year.

That isn't an issue with Strahm, who posted a 10.11 K/9 and 2.74 ERA in 62.1 IP. He should be the Royals' primary left-handed high-leverage reliever and could see closing opportunities when Estevez or Erceg aren't available. Now that Strahm is on board, that should put Schreiber in fewer high-leverage opportunities, which may suit him better. Mears and Langre are new middle-innings options who should provide some chase and velocity that was missing from the bullpen last season.  

Lynch IV and Falter should round out the bullpen as long-relief/spot starter options. Lynch has pitched some middle-innings relief before, so he could see more action than Falter, who's primarily been a starter in his career. Falter is out of Minor League options, but the Royals opted to tender him a contract, which makes it seem like they are going to give him a serious shot to show that he can rebound in 2026 after a poor showing with the Royals in 2025 (11.25 ERA in 12 IP). 

If Falter continues to struggle in Spring Training, the Royals have a plethora of options on the 40-man roster who could replace him.

The Royals said they still plan on developing Luinder Avila as a starter, which likely means he begins the year in Omaha again. However, he posted a 1.29 ERA in 14 IP with the Royals as a reliever last year, and he could thrive in that role again in 2026. Mason Black is an option from the Giants who could thrive in a hybrid role, though his stuff could use some refinement. Steven Cruz gave the Royals some quality innings with a 3.74 ERA in 45.2 IP. However, he needs to show he can generate more strikeouts with his velocity. Lastly, James McArthur, who closed games for the Royals in 2023 and 2024, should return to the mound in 2026. Since he has a Minor League option, the Royals will likely take it slow with him and let him develop a bit in Omaha. 

Position Players

Catchers

• Salvador Perez
• Carter Jensen

Perez and Jensen are two no-brainers for this roster on Opening Day (barring injury). The Royals captain signed a two-year extension and is coming off a 30-HR season. Jensen had a sensational rookie debut, posting a 159 wRC+ in 69 plate appearances. The top Royals prospect in the system still has some work to do behind the plate, but he should help give Perez some days off. That should keep the 35-year-old Royals legend's bat fresher over a full 162-game season, as he can play first base and designated hitter when Jensen is behind the dish. 

Jorge Alfaro was recently signed to a Minor League deal on Monday, and he could be an emergency option for the Royals, like Aaron Nola two seasons ago and Luke Maile last year. However, he likely will begin the year in Omaha.

First Base

• Vinnie Pasquantino

The "Pasquatch" led the Royals in home runs (32) and RBI (113). His 116 wRC+ was also the third-best mark of any Royals player with 100 or more plate appearances last season. Pasquantino still has some work to do defensively, which explains his 1.5 fWAR last year despite his gaudy offensive numbers. That said, he has proven that he can handle regular 1B duties for the Royals, with the ability to DH when Salvy needs to play in that spot. 

Second Base

• Jonathan India
• Michael Massey
• Nick Loftin

Second base was a weak spot for the Royals last year. Newcomer India struggled in his debut season in Kansas City, posting an 89 wRC+ and -0.3 fWAR in 567 plate appearances. Massey wasn't much better, as he struggled in an injury-plagued campaign. He had a 57 wRC+ and -0.4 fWAR in 277 plate appearances. India provides more offensive upside, and he should be due for some positive regression after a nightmarish 2025. Conversely, Massey is a better defensive player and can play left field if needed (unlike India, who struggled in his short stints at third and left last season). 

I listed Loftin here at second base, though he is more of a utility player with the ability to play third, left field, and first base. Loftin has a disciplined plate approach, as he put up a 0.52 BB/K ratio last year and a 0.79 BB/K ratio in 2024. Unfortunately, he's pretty punchless with the bat, only sporting a 73 wRC+. It wouldn't be surprising to see Adam Frazier replace Loftin's spot on the roster if the Royals decide to bring back the veteran this offseason. 

Shortstop

• Bobby Witt Jr.

The two-time All-Star, Gold-Glove winner, and Silver Slugger should be the Opening Day shortstop in Kansas City unless he gets hurt in Spring Training. Fans should expect another big season from Witt, with the hope that he can capture his first AL MVP award in 2026 after finishing second in 2024 and fourth in 2025. 

Third Base

• Maikel Garcia

After not starting on Opening Day in 2025 (which was primarily due to a Pasquantino injury that required Cavan Biggio to play first base), Garcia ended up being the best Royals player not named Witt. The 25-year-old Venezuelan hit a career-high 16 home runs, posted a 121 wRC+, and accumulated a 5.6 fWAR in 666 plate appearances and earned his first All-Star appearance and Gold Glove last season. The Royals rewarded him with a multi-year extension this offseason, thus keeping him and Witt in Kansas City until at least 2030. 

Outfielders

• Isaac Collins
• Kyle Isbel
• Jac Caglianone
• Lane Thomas
• Tyler Tolbert

The starting outfield would likely consist of Collins in left field, Isbel in center field, and Caglianone in right field if Opening Day were tomorrow. Collins posted a 122 wRC+ last year with the Brewers, and his disciplined plate approach would be welcomed in the middle of the lineup. Isbel is mostly out there for defense, but he proved serviceable in the nine-hole last year. Lastly, Caglianone struggled in his rookie year, posting a 46 wRC+ and -1.6 fWAR in 232 plate appearances. That said, the projections remain pretty optimistic about Caglianone's 2026 outlook, and his exit velocity and barrel metrics last year were solid despite his struggles. 

Thomas most likely would start as a fourth outfielder, but he could move into a starting role if he can partially channel his 2023 self. It is unlikely that he will hit 28 home runs, steal 20 bases, post a 109 wRC+, and accumulate 2.6 fWAR with the Royals as he did with the Nationals that season. However, he has some proven history at the plate that Isbel doesn't. If Thomas is healthy and recovered, he could be the Royals' starting centerfielder by mid-season.

Tolbert likely will serve as the Royals' "speed weapon" off the bench in 2026, which makes sense considering he stole 21 bases in only 57 plate appearances. He hit .280 and can play multiple positions in the infield and outfield, making him a flexible weapon who can be subbed in key spots in the late innings. Dairon Blanco, who injured his Achilles last year and never looked the same after it, could serve in that "speed weapon" role if Tolbert struggles. Blanco stole 31 bases in 88 games in 2024. 

Some outfield options who could sneak their way on the Opening Day roster include John Rave and Kameron Misner.

Rave made his MLB debut last season and showed spurts of effectiveness at times, but he only posted a 65 wRC+ in 175 plate appearances last year. He has some defensive versatility, able to play all three outfield positions effectively. That could make him a bench option if Tolbert or Blanco aren't effective. As for Misner, he's hit 46 home runs in Triple-A the past three seasons, but he failed to put that together with the Rays. In 232 career plate appearances, he has a 62 wRC+ and 0.1 fWAR. He struggles with strikeouts, as evidenced by his 34.1% career K rate at the MLB level. Still, he could be a sleeper option if the Royals' hitting coaches can help tap into his potential this spring.