Nick Loftin has a versatile skill set. Will it be enough to make Royals roster?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Loftin offers multi-position defense across infield and outfield for Royals roster.
- Offensive consistency, alongside versatility, will affect Loftin’s chance to stick.
- Spring performance and WBC absences create real opportunity for Loftin to win bench spot.
Nick Loftin wears a lot of hats for the Kansas City Royals. It comes with the territory of being a utility player.
Loftin can play across the infield. He also can venture to the outfield for added versatility.
There isn’t a question of Loftin’s role, but there needs to be offensive production associated with it. That’s why Loftin is motivated to get off to a strong start this spring.
“Just continue to be as simple as possible and also be able to play everywhere on the field,” Loftin said. “It’s been the biggest thing and got me where I am today. Just continue to hone in on that and get better every year.”
Loftin has spent parts of three seasons with the Royals. He made his MLB debut in 2023 and has played in 143 career games.
In 2025, Loftin hit .208 with four homers and 20 RBIs. He registered a .635 OPS while bouncing between the Royals and Triple-A Omaha.
The numbers looked vastly different across both levels. In Triple-A, Loftin produced a .907 OPS alongside 39 walks and just 24 strikeouts. He recorded 46 hits in 152 at-bats for the Storm Chasers.
“The more ABs I get, I’m just able to know my zone,” Loftin said. “It’s what I’ve been really good at throughout my career.”
Now, Loftin has a real opportunity to stick. He is in contention for one of the final bench spots. The competition is expected to be fierce with MLB veterans Brandon Drury, Abraham Toro and Kevin Newman also in the mix.
The Royals are light on right-handed bench options, thus Loftin could take advantage with a noteworthy spring. How he fares with the top guys — Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez — gone for the World Baseball Classic is worth monitoring.
A good showing in Cactus League play could go a long way. And it could allow Loftin to seize his opportunity.
“I just think it’s consistency,” Loftin said. “The more times I get out there the better I get. And, you know, just be as simple as possible when I do get those opportunities. That’s pretty much it. The consistency piece is all I need.”
Loftin appeared in Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. He started at first base and looked fluid at the position. Earlier in camp, Loftin was seen taking ground balls on the backfields as he shuffled around the diamond.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro could give Loftin more reps at first. With Pasquantino and Perez leaving for the WBC, there is a need to cover innings at the position.
“He’s had a lot of reps getting used to new positions,” Quatraro said. “And I think at first, some guys it comes naturally. But it’s more of just knowing where to be on certain plays.”
Loftin is ready to help the team in any capacity this spring. He knows his role and he is able to contribute wearing whichever hat is needed.
“Honestly, I want to show that I can be that same player at all positions,” Loftin said. “I know I played mostly left field a lot last year. I want to be able to show everyone that I can be that person in left, at third base, at second base, first base, right, center or wherever. It can be shortstop or if I need to pitch, yeah, I can do it. Just be able to show that consistency and simple nature through all my positions.”
This story was originally published February 23, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Nick Loftin has a versatile skill set. Will it be enough to make Royals roster?."
