We are a couple of short days away from the Royals’ first spring training game on February 21^st against the Texas Rangers. The roster appears near its final Opening Day form, with all major trades and free-agent additions now in the rearview mirror. The infield appears to be the strength of this lineup and provides most of the defensive value for the team. The addition of Jonathan India this offseason has made the roles of the infielders less cut-and-dry but raises the floor of this group significantly. Let’s take a look at the locks at each position, and who will be competing for roster spots this spring.

First Base

Locks: Vinnie Pasquantino

Competition: none

Vinnie will undoubtedly be the starting first basemen for this team on Opening Day, and why wouldn’t he be? He has solidified his starting role in this infield after a season where he hit .262/.315/.445 with 19 HR and 97 RBIs while missing the final month of the season. His defense improved from 2023 to 2024, going from -3 OAA to 3 OAA (Outs Above Average). I will take those defensive numbers any day if it means getting the offensive value that Vinnie provides. Salvador Pérez should also get time at first base when he’s not catching or the DH and provides solid value as a defender (4 OAA).

Second Base

Locks: Michael Massey & Jonathan India

Competition: Nick Loftin, Cavan Biggio

I expect Michael Massey to log the most innings at second base of any Royal this season. He hit well enough in 2024 to warrant a spot in the lineup every day and has a solid glove at second (4 OAA). A major talking point of the offseason is whether Massey or Jonathan India will be the regular second baseman. Given India’s more athletic profile and Massey’s lingering back issues, I expect India to play the more physically demanding position of left field over Massey. They will likely both get time at DH, with India sprinkling in time at second base and potentially third. Both should be in the lineup nearly every day.

Nick Loftin and Cavan Biggio both provide intriguing competition throughout the infield, whether it be second or third base. Neither provides incredible value with the bat, but both provide vital positional versatility with decent enough defense at multiple positions. I give Biggio the edge over Loftin in the battle to make the 26-man roster, given his longer track record of production (if you want to call it that) at the big-league level. He is the more proven commodity and holds a career .341 OBP. Second base may be the most fluid position among the infield this season.

Shortstop

Locks: Bobby Witt Jr.

Competition: none

I mean, what do you expect? The reigning AL MVP runner-up has no competition heading into the season. He posted his second straight 30 HR, 30 SB season and won the AL batting title. The only question for him this season: is another season like 2024 attainable? For most players, it would be a career year, but it wouldn’t surprise me for numbers like this to be the norm for Bobby for the foreseeable future. Aside from his prowess at the plate, he is an incredible fielder, notching 16 OAA last season, which tied him for 2^nd in all of baseball among shortstops. The arrow is pointing up for the 24-year-old phenom. He played in 161 games last season with only one game at DH and the rest at short. I would expect Biggio or Maikel Garcia to replace him on the extremely rare occasion it’s needed.

Third Base

Locks: Maikel Garcia

Competition: Jonathan India, Nick Loftin, Cavan Biggio

Maikel Garcia has the hot corner locked up for the time being. However, it could be a make-or-break year for the almost 25-year-old. His offensive numbers were abysmal in 2024, holding a .613 OPS which was the lowest among all qualified hitters in baseball. His defensive value also declined in 2024, dropping from 13 OAA in 2023 to 4 OAA last season. If he doesn’t get things turned around with the bat, I could see the Royals going out and making a move for more offensive production at third base as early as the 2025 trade deadline. The team has already stated that they are going to have him get some work in at centerfield during Spring Training to see how he performs there. We could see Garcia move more around the field this year as he did toward the end of last season. The talent is undeniable, we just need to see him build off of what was a solid 2023 season.

Jonathan India figures to get a bit of time at third base, though he has never played the position at the major league level. Someone will have to man the hot corner if Garcia is to get reps in centerfield, and the Royals can’t afford to have India’s bat out of the lineup. Nick Loftin and Cavan Biggio also figure to log a few innings at third if they make the 26-man roster. Again, I’ll give the edge to Biggio in making the Opening Day roster in a bench/utility role.

Who has the most to prove in 2025?

Maikel Garcia and Nick Loftin have the most on the line in 2025. I would argue that they are the two most unproven commodities among the infielders with major league experience. They both have multiple years of experience and need to show the front office that they belong on a contending Royals team. Garcia has enough value on defense and on the basepaths that I think they would want to keep him around in a bench role if things don’t work out at third base. Nick Loftin has two options left and needs to make the most of his opportunities. Garcia and Loftin are likely entering make-or-break seasons, at least to earn or maintain their spot in significant roles on this Royals team.

_{Image credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images}