Barring a much better than expected season they should still be behind both Minnesota and Chicago. They could still be behind Cleveland, but they have certainly closed the gap.

For those with an Athletic subscription, this is a good read on Benintendi. Basically gives some context to his struggles the last year or so.

Excuse the dumb question please, but there’s no chance we see Witt this season, is there? And is that a bad thing if we don’t?

Sure there's a chance. I hope he plays in the minors all year. But yeah...there's a chance. Even if it's for a cup of coffee. For him to come up, it would have to mean a.) he's legit ready, b.) he's needed to play 3B for some reason or; c.) Mondi is hurt and he's the best/obvious option to play SS.

To me, being ready is the biggest hurdle and the biggest reason he won't be promoted. I mean...he really should spend at least a year playing for the high level teams (AA and/or AAA).

No. He won’t be here. Mondesi plays his position.

***Official 2021 Royals Season Repository Thread***
 

MLBN had their top prospects show tonight.

Royals:

7. Bobby Witt Jr
29. Daniel Lynch
30. Asa Lacy
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3bfda88806.jpg

Interesting lineup projection.

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-res...-charts/royals

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...507c101491.jpg

I've certainly seen worse Royals lineups in my time.

I hate a lineup with Perez and Mondesi hitting 2-3.

You’ve got all these great OBP guys like Benintendi and Dozier who also run well behind them. Flop it.

Merrifield
Benintendi
Dozier
Santana
Soler
Perez
Mondesi
Taylor
Olivares

Is what i roll with.

You’re putting a lot of guys on in front of Soler and Perez in this situation.

Emil Brown, Ruben Gotay, Angel Berroa, Terrence Long.

I love to play the "What If" game with Merrifield. What if he would have gotten the call up in '15 and then the start at 2B in '16 instead of Mondesi?

I think it depends on whether Salvy and Mondesi play like they did at the end of last year or they regress. If Mondesi has truly figured it out he'll have to be somewhere near the top of the lineup. He's just so dynamic when he's rolling.

Damn
I'm gonna have to find some sort of solution.

I love videos like this.

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MLB.TV with a VPN looks like the best bet.