Third Annual BP Kansas City Predictions

As we do every year at BP Kansas City, we’re here on Opening Day to predict the future. This doesn’t mean that you should skip watching this season, you just know ahead of time how things will turn out. If you’re okay with spoilers, read ahead. In addition to division winners, wild cards and World Series winners, we have our usual array of bold predictions, AKA hot takes, for the Royals in 2018. Some are, well, hotter than others.

Let’s get to the Royals Hot Takes

Craig – Jon Jay, Lucas Duda and Mike Moustakas will all be dealt ahead of the July 31 deadline.

Michael – The rotation will be surprisingly adequate. “Surprisingly adequate” is as hot as it burns for the 2018 team.

Clark – Jake Junis will throw more than 180 innings, and by whatever metric you choose (maybe even pitcher wins, Craig), he will be among the top 40 pitchers in baseball by year’s end.

Jeff – Kelvin Herrera gets off to a hot start and is traded at the deadline.

David – Adalberto Mondesi is the starting shortstop by June 1 after continuing to put up top prospect-type numbers in Omaha while Alcides Escobar, well, doesn’t.

Hunter – The Royals will have four prospects on next year’s Top 100 lists: Seuly Matias, Khalil Lee, Nick Pratto and their top pick in the 2018 draft.

Clint – Mike Moustakas hits 40+ home runs this season, but not all of them are with the Royals.

Darin – By the end of the season, Miguel Almonte will be a key piece of the Royals’ bullpen, perhaps the most reliable reliever on the team. There should be plenty of opportunities for him to earn a spot in this relief corps, and he looked good last year in the minors and this year in spring training. Super-hot bonus take! If Kelvin Herrera gets traded, Almonte might even get a shot at closing some games before the end of the year.

Colby – Alex Gordon is your 2018 AL Comeback Player of the Year.