KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Along with familiar names like Alex Gordon and Whit Merrifield, this season Royals fans will notice new faces on the field. The team begins the 2019 season Thursday with a game at Kauffman Stadium against the Chicago White Sox.
Here’s a look at the projected starters for the game:
- Pitcher: Brad Keller will begin the game on the mound. The 23-year-old Texan pitched relief in last year’s home opener. During his 2018 rookie season, Keller won 9 games.
- Catcher: With a season-ending injury to longtime starting catcher Salvador Perez, Martin Maldonado is expected to handle things behind the plate for the Royals. Maldonado made his major league debut in 2011 for the Milwaukee Brewers and played for both the Angels and Astros last year.
- First base: Ryan O’Hearn played in 44 games with the Royals last season as a rookie. He hit 12 home runs. The Texas native goes by the nickname “Brohearn.”
- Second base: Whit Merrifield is expected to start at this infield position. Merrifield, 30, led all of Major League Baseball in hits and stolen bases last year. The Royals signed him to a four-year contract worth more than $16 million over the off-season.
- Third base: Fans hope Hunter Dozier brings power to the plate as the third baseman for the Royals. “Doz” hit a home run 452 feet during a spring training game in Arizona.
- Shortstop: Adalberto Mondesi will begin his fourth season with the Royals. Last year, he played in the most games in one season of his career, possibly putting concerns about his health to rest. The 23-year-old is a switch hitter.
- Left field: Fan favorite Alex Gordon, 35, should resume his role as the team’s left fielder. "Gordo,"as he's affectionately know, is entering his 13th season with the club.
- Center field: Billy Hamilton will be a new face in the Royals outfield. The former Cincinnati Red has stolen more than 50 bases in a season four times over his career.
- Right field: Jorge Soler is predicted to start in right field on Thursday. The 27-year-old from Cuba, nicknamed El Yoyo, debuted in MLB during the 2014 season with the Chicago Cubs. 2019 will be his third season with the Royals.
