AL Central: Effects of the 2026 WBC

Kansas City Royals

Significant WBC participants: Jac Caglianone (Italy), Carlos Estévez (Dominican Republic), Maikel Garcia (Venezuela), Seth Lugo (Puerto Rico), Vinnie Pasquantino (Italy), Salvador Perez (Venezuela), Michael Wacha (USA), Bobby Witt Jr. (USA)

Spring training effects: The Royals are losing their five of their best hitters, so there should be plenty of at-bats to go around for the position players that remain in camp. The most exciting to watch should be Carter Jensen, who is already off to a hot start (.417 BA, 1.334 OPS thru 12 AB), and should get plenty of time behind the plate with Perez away. Jensen is expected to split time at catcher and DH this season, but his bat could force into more playing time than the 60%...

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