Kansas City Royals fans have been calling for some big swings at the upcoming trade deadline—and for good reason. Whether it’s the sense that this team is close, the inconsistency at the top of the lineup, or the outfield’s outright offensive ineptitude, pick your pain point.
But there’s another, often overlooked issue: the alarming rarity of internal solutions stepping up when the Royals need them most. Pitcher Noah Cameron has been the notable exception, but when it comes to position players, it’s been bleak.
Case in point: outfielder MJ Melendez.
The outfielder opened 2025 on the Royals’ 26-man roster but was unplayable due to poor production at the plate.