Unlike many past seasons, the Royals have a pretty good idea who there starters will be going into camp. Salvy will be behind the plate, and barring a trade, Carlos Santana will be at first. Bobby Witt Jr. is expected to start at third with Adalberto Mondesi at shortstop and Nicky Lopez at second. The outfield will have Andrew Benintendi in left, Michael A. Taylor in center, and Whit Merrifield in right, with Hunter Dozier likely to see the most time at DH.
But with so much positional versatility, with Salvy needing time off from behind the plate, with Mondesi a health concern, and with Santana and Dozier coming off very disappointing seasons, the Royals may rely more on their bench than in the past.