The Kansas City Royals are hoping for a comeback campaign in 2026 after a disappointing 80-82 record in the American League Central, and they have the tools to make it happen. The team has plenty of upside heading into the regular season, with a few players who could make a difference looking sharp this spring.
Bobby Witt Jr. has been the face of the franchise since his debut in 2022, and the 25-year-old hasn’t looked back since. The shortstop has been one of the best players in the game over the past few years, but truly found his groove in 2025 despite the team’s lackluster performance.
Witt was among the leaders in almost every offensive category in 2025 after posting a .295 batting average with 23 home runs and 88 RBIs. While those impressive numbers showcase his consistency, the Texas native put more than just his power on display last season. Witt’s 47 doubles and 38 stolen bases were first and second among all shortstops, respectively, highlighting his five-star form that only seems to be getting better as he ages.
There is a lot of pressure on Witt Jr. to bring Kansas City back to the postseason, but he just might be up to the task if 2025 is anything to go by. He’ll hopefully have some more support offensively in 2026 with Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen in line to make the Opening Day roster. That trio could be one to watch in the early days of 2026 for Royals fand given how they’ve played so far.
Kansas City’s farm system has been one of the strongest storylines of the spring thus far, for good reason. The team has quite the duo waiting in the wings for 2026, and they could be what the team needs to perform well. Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen have been some of the most-discussed prospects the Royals have had since Witt Jr., and the two have a lot riding on Spring Training.
Caglianone, 23, got a little taste of the big leagues in 2025, but was rather disappointing through 62 games. The outfielder posted a .157 batting average with seven home runs and 18 RBIs through limited time, but 2026 represents a new opportunity. The Florida native has shown flashes of greatness already this spring, so here’s to hoping he keeps it going all the way into the regular season.
Jensen didn’t have the same opportunities as Caglianone in 2025, but he showcased what he brings to the table through limited time. The 22-year-old appeared in 20 games for the Royals in 2025, slashing .300 with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 60 at-bats. While the sample size is small, Jensen strengthened his case to replace veteran Salvador Perez behind the plate when the time is right, which could be soon, given Perez’s age. Overall, there are great things in the works for Kansas City, and its youth movement could be the answer in 2026.
Kansas City has plenty of tools at its disposal on offense, but its secret weapon lies in its pitching staff. Kris Bubic headlines what is a rather young group, and the six-year veteran will be tasked with some heavy lifting from the Royals in 2026.
Bubic, 28, was the best starting pitcher for Kansas City in 2025, and he has to put up a repeat performance if the Royals are going to get back into the playoffs. The left-hander went 8-7 through 20 games played in 2025, posting a 2.55 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 116.1 innings pitched. Consistency is going to be the main factor for the team as they take on other A.L. Central teams, something Bubic can bring to the table when needed. He’ll most likely be their number one option, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets the nod on Opening Day.
The baseball season is a testament to strength, patience, and perseverance, three qualities the Royals seem to bring to the table in 2026. The group will be exciting to watch given the star power on their roster, so it’s worth keeping an eye on them this season. They’ll have to stack up against tough competition day in and day out through 162 games, but they seem built for it.
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