The Kansas City Royals have completely revamped their outfield this offseason, but will these changes finally bring the winning results they desperately need?
The Royals' front office, under the guidance of general manager J.J. Picollo, made a concerted effort to bolster their outfield, recognizing it as a critical area to support their promising young talent like Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Vinnie Pasquantino.
Picollo brought in Isaac Collins via a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers and secured the services of veteran outfielder Lane Thomas on a one-year deal. The hope is that this duo will significantly improve an outfield unit that struggled mightily last season, ranking among the league's bottom third.
Last year, Royals outfielders posted a dismal .285 on-base percentage, which was the 30th-ranked mark in all of baseball. This lack of production led to a revolving door in the outfield, with players like Hunter Renfroe being designated for assignment and MJ Melendez being sent down to the minors.
But here's where it gets interesting... The Royals' pursuit of outfield help was so strong that they even brought in Mike Yastrzemski at the trade deadline. While Yastrzemski provided a temporary boost, he ultimately opted to sign with the Atlanta Braves in free agency.
Another key piece of the outfield puzzle is Jac Caglianone. His initial call-up from the minors was met with high expectations, but it wasn't a smooth transition. Caglianone struggled out of the gate, hitting just .157 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in 62 games. Alarming strikeout rates led to him being sent back to Triple-A Omaha for a rehab assignment to refine his swing. Now, Caglianone is set to get his first full regular season, expected to handle the majority of the duties in right field. Meanwhile, Kyle Isbel returns to man center field, and Isaac Collins will take on left field after a strong rookie season where he finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
The club believes they've raised the overall talent level of the roster, but significant questions about outfield production remain. And this is the part most people miss... the success of this revamped outfield hinges on several individual improvements.
Caglianone needs to deliver offensively to complement the core of the lineup. Collins must prove he can consistently replicate his impressive rookie performance. And Isbel needs to take a step forward in his offensive development.
Let's take a closer look at the projected Royals outfield:
Will Jac Caglianone Live Up to the Hype?
Caglianone arrived in Kansas City with considerable fanfare as a highly-touted prospect. His journey to the majors included viral home run videos and immense potential showcased in the minor leagues. While the Royals initially wanted him to have more development time, their immediate offensive needs propelled him to the big leagues.
His transition wasn't seamless. Caglianone faced challenges, notably his tendency to chase pitches outside the strike zone. However, after an injury and a stint back in the minors, he demonstrated improved selectivity and a better approach at the plate, showing encouraging signs in September.
Now, Caglianone is tasked with a strong start to the 2026 season. His offensive capabilities have the potential to be a game-changer for the Royals' batting order. Having already competed in the World Baseball Classic with Team Italy, he should be in prime form to begin the season.
If Caglianone can achieve greater consistency at the plate and draw more walks, he could be a significant part of the solution to the Royals' past outfield woes. Royals manager Matt Quatraro expressed optimism, stating, “He had a great spring last year. I think he went through a whirlwind of everything — first full season, getting to the big leagues and the expectations and all of that stuff. And clearly, it didn’t go the way he or we would’ve wanted in the big leagues. We did see some growth when he came back from his rehab assignment. And, I think he’s done a ton of introspective looking at how things went, and I think we are going to see upside from him.”
Can Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas Make a Difference?
Both Collins and Thomas were identified as crucial acquisitions for the Royals this offseason. Collins was the centerpiece of a three-player trade, and his performance at the plate (.263 batting average, nine home runs, 54 RBIs) and his .779 OPS (on-base plus slugging) were particularly attractive. His versatility to play both outfield and infield positions is also a significant asset, offering manager Quatraro strategic flexibility.
Lane Thomas presents an interesting opportunity for a rebound. He battled injuries with the Cleveland Guardians last season, but the Royals are drawn to his strong offensive history against left-handed pitching. In 2023, Thomas hit 28 home runs for the Washington Nationals, and the Royals are hopeful he can recapture that form.
“Lane Thomas is someone that we always admired,” Picollo commented. “Tried to acquire him previously, (and there’s) good reason to believe he’s going to bounce back and bounce back strongly because it was an injury. It wasn’t a full season of not playing well. It was just an injury that affected his play.”
While neither player is expected to be an outright superstar, the Royals are counting on them to fill crucial gaps and contribute to winning in meaningful ways.
Do the Royals Still Need More Outfield Help?
The Royals have not entirely closed the door on further additions this spring. While they are content with their current roster, they will continue to monitor both the free-agent and trade markets.
“You know, just because we are going into spring training doesn’t mean we don’t have the ability to make our team better up until the trade deadline,” Picollo stated. “Once the trade deadline comes, that’s when you’re locked in. That’s what you got for the rest of the year. But, between now and then, you know, we might be in a sit-and-read situation. What do we need to do and how can we capitalize?”
The top-tier free-agent outfield market was relatively thin this offseason, with notable players like Kyle Tucker signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cody Bellinger re-signing with the New York Yankees. The Royals opted to target Collins and Thomas as players who best fit their team's needs. It's a calculated gamble that could pay off, or it might leave them searching for a trade option by July.
Bold Prediction: Jac Caglianone will hit 30 home runs.
Last season saw considerable buzz comparing Caglianone to Athletics star Nick Kurtz, both from the same draft class and debuting in 2025. Kurtz went on to win American League Rookie of the Year with a .290 batting average, 36 homers, and 86 RBIs, transforming the Athletics' lineup.
Expect Caglianone to have a significantly better sophomore campaign. He possesses similar power potential, and the Royals have made substantial changes to their hitting department. Caglianone will now work with new hitting coaches Marcus Thames and Connor Dawson, who are tasked with helping him elevate the ball more consistently to all fields. Furthermore, the Royals have moved their outfield fences inward at Kauffman Stadium, which should aid Caglianone in generating more offense.
A 30-homer season is certainly within reach, especially with the protection he'll receive from Witt, Pasquantino, Garcia, and Salvador Perez in the lineup. With increased opportunities to produce, Caglianone could quickly become a contender for Silver Slugger Award nominations.
Projected Outfield:
- Left Field: Isaac Collins
- Center Field: Kyle Isbel
- Right Field: Jac Caglianone
Key Reserves: Lane Thomas, Michael Massey, Nick Loftin, Tyler Tolbert, John Rave
What are your thoughts on the Royals' outfield strategy? Do you believe Caglianone will reach his full potential, or are you more optimistic about the contributions of Collins and Thomas? Share your opinions in the comments below!
