Kyle Isbel The Favorite To Start In Center Field
Kyle Isbel is their best center field option heading into the 2024 season. They are counting on power at the corner-outfield spots from MJ Melendez and Hunter Renfroe. Drew Waters can play all three outfield spots and could easily play into an Opening Day starting spot. While Waters has nice upside, he could benefit from more at-bats to begin the year in the minors as well. Isbel, 26, hasn't hit much so far in the big leagues, but he has an elite glove. At the very least, Isbel should find himself starting in center field for the Royals in 2024 against right-handed pitching. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can ignore him. In 313 plate appearances last year, Isbel had only five home runs and seven stolen bases.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
The Kansas City Royals believe that outfielder Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Kyle Isbel, Hunter Renfroe Sitting On Thursday
Kyle Isbel and Hunter Renfroe are both starting on the bench for Thursday's tilt against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays. Drew Waters will start in center field and bat ninth, while Mark Canha gets the nod in right field and is hitting seventh against Rays right-hander Shane Baz. Isbel did have two hits in Wednesday's win over Tampa, but he's gone 6-for-31 (.194) with six RBI, a steal, no walks and five strikeouts in his last 11 games played. Renfroe, meanwhile, will probably continue to lose playing time in the Royals outfield after starting the year with a .167 average (11-for-66) with no home runs and only four RBI. Waters and Canha will both be low-upside DFS plays on Thursday, and neither player has faced Baz in their careers. Canha hasn't homered yet but has gone 9-for-26 with two RBI and five runs scored in his limited playing time.
Source: MLB.com
Kansas City Royals outfielders Source: MLB.com
Kyle Isbel, Hunter Renfroe, Michael Massey Out On Thursday
Kyle Isbel and Hunter Renfroe and second baseman Michael Massey are all sitting in Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Minnesota Twins. Drew Waters is starting in center field and batting ninth, Cavan Biggio is in right field and hitting fifth, and Maikel Garcia is at the keystone and is batting sixth against Twins right-hander Bailey Ober. Isbel has gone 8-for-30 with a homer, double and three RBI in his first 11 games, while both Renfroe and Massey have struggled to get going early on in the 2025 season for the Royals. Garcia is probably the best DFS bet as a sleeper on Thursday, as he's hitting .308 (12-for-39) with two homers, three doubles, six RBI and a steal in 12 games so far this year. He's hit just .143 in seven career at-bats against Ober, but it's come with a home run and two RBI.
Source: MLB.com
Kansas City Royals outfielders Source: MLB.com
Kyle Isbel Out Of The Lineup Monday
Kyle Isbel will get Monday off as the team starts a three-game road series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Isbel started all three outings for the Royals in center field for their opening series with the Cleveland Guardians, but he'll get a breather to start the week. Maikel Garcia will slot into center field and bat ninth versus Milwaukee. The California native is 2-for-8 thus far with a double, single, two runs scored, and two strikeouts on the young season. He'll likely be back in the lineup over the next few days.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals outfielder Source: Kansas City Royals
Kyle Isbel Remains Sidelined On Sunday
Kyle Isbel (back) will sit for the second consecutive game on Sunday as the Royals look to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers. Isbel was not in Saturday's lineup as well after leaving Friday's game early with lower back tightness. As a result, Dairon Blanco will play center field and bat ninth. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Isbel's status before Monday's game against the Miami Marlins. Blanco has tallied only three hits and posted a poor .214 AVG in his past six games. He should be faded in DFS on Sunday afternoon as he will face Max Scherzer, who is making his 2024 debut.
Source: MLB.com
Kansas City Royals outfielder Source: MLB.com
Read More News