Take this prediction to the bank: outfielders Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas will open the 2026 season with the Kansas City Royals.
Collins, acquired just days ago from Milwaukee as part of the trade that also added Nick Mears to KC's bullpen and sent Angel Zerpa to the Brewers, and recent free agent signee Thomas, are two important components of the outfield reconstruction project designed to pump up KC's notoriously shaky offense. Neither is destined for the minors.
Collins and Thomas represent promise. Across 389 at-bats during 2025, his first full big league season, Collins slashed .