Kansas City Royals infield prospect Nick Loftin has made the team’s Opening Day 26-man roster, manager Matt Quatraro announced Saturday.
Manager Matt Quatraro told us this morning that utilityman Nick Loftin, outfielder Dairon Blanco and reliever Matt Sauer have all made the team.
Michael Massey (lower back tightness) is expected to begin the season on the injured list. #Royals
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) March 23, 2024
Loftin turned in a strong and confident Spring Training, hitting .333 with two home runs, six RBI, eight walks, and nine RBI.
Nick Loften is a Top Prospect
Some publications view Loftin as a top-100 prospect, and MLB Pipeline lists him second within the Royals organization. What makes him so special is that he is considered a super-utility player. He was promoted to the majors last September and played in 19 games, registering time at first, second, and third base. He handled himself well defensively at all of them.
Natural Shortstop
Loftin’s natural position is shortstop, and during Spring Training, he did play there. However, given that one of MLB’s top young players, Bobby Witt Jr., has a firm hold on the starting shortstop job, the Royals must exploit Loftin’s versatility. Look for him to continue to play multiple infield positions. He has a strong arm and is athletic enough to cover any infield position.
Loftin also played multiple games in left and center field while in the minors, so he could play there on occasion in Kansas City, providing more versatility for the team.
MORE STELLAR DEFENSE 😤
Nick Loftin makes a sensational diving play at second base, with a good scoop at first base from Logan Porter!
👏👏 @NickLoftin02 @realporterpotty
▼ 2 | #NWANaturals 1 Amarillo 0
📺 https://t.co/zzXr4sAkog pic.twitter.com/I0QUEO98G8— Northwest Arkansas Naturals (@nwanaturals) July 1, 2022
How Does Nick Loftin Perform Offensively?
Loftin possesses some offensive power. Over three seasons in the Royals’ farm system, he hit 42 home runs. This spring, he has worked with hitting coach Alec Zumwalt to become a better contact hitter. Zumwalt helped him to adjust his swing, adding a small leg kick to boost his timing. He has the hitting tools and the athleticism; he just needs more experience at the big-league level.
Nick Loftin Making Strides Since 2023
Since 2023, Loftin has gained nearly 30 pounds of muscle. He wanted to have enough energy and mobility to maintain his endurance for the entire season.
Nick Loftin bulked up this offseason, up 20 pounds and tons of muscle. His power and stamina waned at the end of last season in Triple-A, so it became a priority for him this winter. #Royals
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) February 25, 2023
Royals 2024 Outlook
A reasonable goal for the 2024 Royals is to win half of their games. They were a bad baseball team in 2023 with a 106-loss season and want to forget that. It is now time for this organization to get back to their winning ways.
The Royals signed several veterans to bolster their experience this offseason, starting with key rotation pieces in Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. They also added leadership through Hunter Renfroe, who has an impact on the field and in the clubhouse. Pairing reliable veterans with young players like Witt and Loftin could bring a spark to this team, propelling them near that desired 81-win mark.
Nick Loftin has displayed his talents and has shown that he can help elevate the future of the Kansas City Royals. His strength, versatility, and offense make him exciting to watch.
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