30-year old lefty swinging David DeJesus will be shifting from LF to RF in 2010 for the Royals. DeJesus played in 144 games for the Royals last season and he was 157 of 558 (.281 avg, .781 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 13 homers, 71 RBIs and 4 stolen bases (he was caught stealing 9 times). DeJesus is a poor man’s Johnny Damon. DeJesus only played in 2 games in RF for the Royals last season and he didn’t make any errors while showing outstanding range. He did have 13 assists in LF so his throwing arm could play well in RF this season.

30-year old lefty swinging Rick Ankiel is the starting CF this season but he can handle RF. Ankiel played in 27 games for the Cardinals last season in RF and he made 1 error while showing pathetic range. He also had 2 assists in RF last season.

33-year old righty swinging Jose Guillen is going to be the full-time DH for the Royals but he could go back to the OF if the need arises in 2010. He played in 65 games in RF for the Royals last season while making 4 errors and showing poor range. He also had 4 assists in RF as he still sports a strong throwing arm.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RF IN 2010: B-

The Royals signed 30-year old lefty swinging Rick Ankiel to serve as their starting CF in 2010. Ankiel played in 122 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 86 of 372 (.231 avg, .672 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 11 homers, 38 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Ankiel has a career batting average of .251 with a .763 OPS in 342 games so the Royals expect him to improve on his 2009 numbers. Ankiel played in 66 games in CF last season and he made 4 errors while showing slightly above average range. He only had 1 assist while in CF but he sports a strong throwing arm.

27-year old lefty swinging Mitch Maier will likely be Ankiel’s top backup in 2010. Maier played in 127 games for the Royals last season and he was 83 of 341 (.243 avg, .665 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 3 homers, 31 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Maier played in 85 error-free games in CF last season while showing good range. He also had an amazing 10 assists in CF as he showed off a remarkable throwing arm. Maier will likely be the Royals’ #4 outfielder this season.

33-year old lefty swinging Scott Podsednik played in 49 games in CF last season for the White Sox in which he made 1 error while showing slightly above average range. He also had 3 assists in CF as runners tried to challenge his arm quite a bit.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CF IN 2010: C

33-year old lefty swinging Scott Podsednik is going to start in LF for the Royals in 2010. He played in 132 games for the White Sox last season and he was 163 of 537 (.304 avg, .764 OPS) with 75 runs scored, 7 homers, 48 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. The Royals would be fine with a repeat of those numbers in 2010 for Podsednik. He didn’t make any errors in 78 games in LF last season while showing slightly above average range there. He also had 3 assists while in LF showing a stronger arm than most people gave him credit for.

30-year old lefty swinging David DeJesus will be the starting RF for the Royals in 2010 but he can shift to left if something happended to Podsednik. DeJesus played in 139 error-free games in LF last season while showing outstanding range. He also had a amazing 13 assists from LF last season showing a strong arm that will aid him in RF in 2010.

30-year old lefty swinging Rick Ankiel will be the starting CF for the Royals in 2010 but he also has experience in LF. Ankiel played in 25 error-free games in CF last season for the Cardinals while showing outstanding range. He also had 2 assists from LF as the former starting pitcher still has a strong throwing arm.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR LF IN 2010: B

The Royals have lost 3B Alex Gordon for the next 3-4 weeks after he broke his thumb over the weekend. Look for Alberto Callaspo and Josh Fields to duke it out at 3B until Gordon is ready to return to action. It looks as if Gordon will start the 2010 season on the D.L. If that happens look for the Royals to send him out on a rehab assignment to help him get his timing back.

The Royals have lost 23-year old righty swinging 2B/SS Jeff Bianchi for the 2010 season as he needs Tommy John Surgery. Bianchi is the Royals’ #11 prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America. Bianchi played in 128 games in A+AA ball last season and he was 151 of 490 (.308 avg, .792 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 9 homers, 70 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. This will likely hurt Bianchi’s ascension through the minors but he is still a good prospect.