Depth Check: Examining The Royals' Middle Infielders In 2026

After finishing the 2024 season with an 86-76 record and making it to the ALDS before losing to the New York Yankees, the optimism for the 2025 season was high. However, they finished this past season 82-80 and finished five games behind a Wild Card berth. This offseason will be crucial in getting back to the postseason, but as the team sets its eyes on the upcoming season, let's take a look at the positional depth chart, beginning with the middle infield.

Second base

Starter - Michael Massey (.244/.268/.313, 20 runs, 3 home runs, 20 RBIs, .581 OPS, and a 57 wRC+)
Massey played 77 games this past season after missing most of the season due to ankle, wrist, and back injuries. When he returned in August, he finished the season strongly. His slash line after returning was .375/.412/.484 with a .896 OPS and a 151 wRC+. The negative about Massey's game is that, as a contact hitter, he won't contribute power production to a team that finished 26th in home runs (159) this past season.

Massey played capably in the field, posting a +2 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) at second base this season over 495 innings, though he had a zero outs above-average. Massey could also be used in the outfield or as a platoon at second base with Jonathan India, although India is weaker defensively. There's a massive production dropoff after Salvador Perez in the four hole of the Royals' lineup, which may lead to an offseason addition.

Depth

Jonathan India (28-years-old, .233/.323/.346, 63 runs, nine home runs, 45 RBIs, .669 OPS, and a 89 wRC+)
India had his worst offensive season over his five-year MLB career. In his 567 plate appearances this season, he produced the fewest home runs and second-fewest runs and RBIs in his career, while carrying a below-average 89 wRC+ (career 104 wRC+). His runs and RBIs only beat the production he made in the 2020-shortened season.

The 28-year-old needs to have a turnaround season in 2026 because he's not as strong defensively as Massey. India produced a -2 DRS over 591 innings at second base and -6 outs above average. He will likely DH during the season unless Perez needs to take a break behind the plate.

Nick Loftin (27-years-old, .208/.278/.357 17 runs, four home runs, 20 RBIs. .635 OPS, and a 73 wRC+)
Loftin won't offer much production offensively. However, he is a solid defender and can play multiple positions. In 91 1/3 innings at second base this past season, he had a neutral 0 DRS. He won't play many innings at second base other than occasionally. Loftin will more likely platoon in the outfield with either John Rave or Kyle Isbel unless injuries occur to Massey and India.

Connor Kaiser (29 years old, one run, two RBIs, .563 OPS, and a -14 wRC+)
Kaiser has only played in 14 combined MLB games over the last two seasons with the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks outrighted Kaiser off their 40-man roster, and the Royals jumped in to sign him to a minor-league contract. Kaiser was born in Overland Park, so he is returning home. Being 29, Kaiser won't have many years to prove he can handle the professional level. This season may be his last stop if he continues to struggle.

Shortstop

Starter - Bobby Witt Jr. (25-years-old, .295/.351/.501, 99 runs, 23 home runs, 88 RBIs, .852 OPS, and a 130 wRC+)
Witt Jr. just won the AL Silver Slugger and Glove Glove Awards in back-to-back seasons and added a Platinum Glove Award this season. That's all that needs to be said.

Depth

Tyler Tolbert (27-years-old, 19 runs, one home run, six RBIs, .701 OPS, and a 92 wRC+)
Like Massey, Tolbert will be used at a different position. Witt Jr. has played at least 150 games in all four seasons of his MLB career. Tolbert is a contact hitter, although he has an issue with striking out. The 27-year-old has struck out at least 20 percent of the time each season over his six-year professional career. He spent five seasons in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut this past season. He hit double-digit home runs once in his career (10 in 2023) and has struck out more than 20 percent at every level except for his stint in Major League Baseball, which was 19 percent.