Kansas City Royals

Which version of KC Royals will fans see in 2023 MLB season? | SportsBeat KC podcast

Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke pitching against the Milwaukee Brewers in Surprise, Ariz.
Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke pitching against the Milwaukee Brewers in Surprise, Ariz. Special to The Star

Every sport begins a season at some point. Only baseball has Opening Day (capital letters).

As the 2023 campaign gets underway, we talk Royals with several players and new manager Matt Quatraro. They met with reporters on Wednesday to discuss a wide range of topics from team prospects to rules changes.

You’ll hear from Opening Day starter Zack Greinke, along with Salvador Perez, Bobby Witt Jr., MJ Melendez, Vinnie Pasquantino and general manager J.J. Picollo.

How much optimism should there be for 2023? The Royals are picked to finish at or near the bottom of the AL Central with a projected victory total of 68.5. Last or next to last in the division is where they’ve finished each season since 2018. But on Opening Day, hope springs eternal.

Story links:

Opening day is chance for new-look Royals to show changes aren’t just cosmetic

Any Royals optimism starts with young core. What’s reasonable to expect? Let’s dive in

This story was originally published March 30, 2023 at 12:17 PM with the headline "Which version of KC Royals will fans see in 2023 MLB season? | SportsBeat KC podcast."

Blair Kerkhoff
The Kansas City Star
Blair Kerkhoff has covered sports for The Kansas City Star since 1989. He was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
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