How, and why, KC Royals will evaluate India and Massey in the outfield this spring
The Kansas City Royals are taking a different approach this spring.
This offseason, the Royals infused a leadoff hitter into their offense with the addition of Jonathan India.
India, 28, was acquired last November from the Cincinnati Reds. He hit .248 with 15 home runs, 58 RBIs and 28 doubles in 2024. The Royals envision India as a key piece atop the lineup.
“When you put in (Jonathan) India, who is going to be very stable for us in that lineup, it takes a little bit of pressure off everybody else,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo told The Star at Royals Rally on Saturday.
The Royals expect India to have an offensive impact. However, his addition has created looming questions regarding the club’s defensive alignment.
India has spent his entire career at second base. The Royals also retained incumbent second baseman Michael Massey, who hit .259 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs in 100 games last season.
Both players are valuable starters at the position. And, they equally hold important roles within the organization.
Thus, the Royals are left with an interesting dynamic. One that Picollo mentioned as a situation that bears time to navigate.
“That’s going to be our biggest challenge of spring training,” Picollo said. “Jonathan (India) and Michael Massey have both said they are willing to play left field, which is great, but they are both infielders.
“So we need to see them out there in the outfield and see how they move around. And, figure out what is the best combination for us.”
Here is a look at the Royals’ plans for addressing their outfield defense this spring:
An outfield shift
The Royals plan to get India and Massey reps in left field this spring. Both players have spent time in the outfield during their MLB careers.
The Royals’ outfield production was a struggle last season. MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel and Hunter Renfroe were inconsistent for prolonged stretches in the lineup.
Melendez will get an opportunity to play both corner outfield spots. Isbel will continue to patrol center field and KC hopes for a rebound season from Renfroe.
India and Massey could occasionally spell members of this group. There is a possibility that India starts in left field some games while Massey plays second base. Other times, Massey could be in the outfield while India plays secon.
Keeping both players’ bats in the lineup will be paramount most days. It’s a slight change in strategy intended to help the Royals compete in a rugged AL Central.
“We want to get the main guys on the field as much as we can,” Picollo said. “We have more, what we would call everyday players right now, with the addition of (Jonathan) India, than we did last year. So it’s going to take time to figure out all the positions, which is different for us because we always valued the defense.”
India is looking forward to the challenge. He will also get a chance to play some third base as Maikel Garcia continues to shift around the diamond. Garcia will get reps in center, as well.
“I played third coming up in the minors and in college,” India said. “You know, maybe some left field. They said they’ll just give me some reps in spring training and see how I look out there. But, mostly second and third and see how it shakes out.”
The Royals will explore every avenue in spring training. The speed at which Massey and India progress in learning the outfield will help determine their best fit defensively.
“There is a difference between doing work and playing in games,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “But we are going to move guys around as we do and see how it looks the best.”
The starting nine
The spring is a good time for such defensive experimentation, but one thing is certain: Both India and Massey will be in the starting lineup someplace for most games.
The Royals are in a competitive window after making the MLB postseason in 2024. Both players figure to be essential in complementing run producers Bobby Witt Jr, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez.
Massey and India’s ability to play left field — and, to a certain extent, third base — will give Quatraro more options for tailoring his lineup against opposing teams.
“We talk about it a lot: We need all nine guys to take a step forward,” Quatraro said.
The Royals often used Adam Frazier in the outfield last season. Frazier, an infielder by trade, had opportunities to start games, given his versatility. But he departed in free agency and, like Tommy Pham, signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“This is one time where we say, you know what, our team needs a shot in the arm at the top of the lineup,” Picollo said. “We will figure out the defense, where before our thinking was more, we got to put the pieces of the puzzle together based on the defensive position.”
The Royals will head to Surprise, Arizona for spring training next week. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 12 and the first full-squad workout is Feb. 17.
This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 6:30 AM with the headline "How, and why, KC Royals will evaluate India and Massey in the outfield this spring."
