I am doing a series where I offer up three fantasy baseball questions for every MLB team. I look at under-the-radar stats, playing time projections, projected roles, and off-season news to try and highlight the issues facing you in your 2025 fantasy baseball drafts. We’ll do this thing in divisional order, and this time around I’ll consider three questions for the 2025 Kansas City Royals.
3 Fantasy Baseball Questions for the 2025 Kansas City Royals
Can Cole Ragans Follow Up on His 2024 Success?
In 2023, Cole Ragans moved into the rotation with the Royals and found success. Overall, he had a 3.47 ERA while striking out 10.59 batters per nine innings. At this point, a track record had yet to be established, but optimism was there. From a concerned perspective, Ragans did walk 3.84 batters per nine innings.
Last year, Ragans moved into the rotation on a full-time basis and performed seamlessly. He made 32 starts and finished with a 3.14 ERA over 186.1 innings. Ragans continued to work around the walks although he did improve to a 3.24 BB/9 rate. The track record is still slight in nature, but we’ve also yet to see anything that says we should think otherwise.
The good news, is that opposing hitters do have issues squaring up Ragans. He followed up a 6.4% barrel rate in 2023 by improving it 6.2% last year. That should lead to continued success for the left-hander.
Will Jonathan India Score 100 Runs?
After dealing with some injuries last year, Jonathan India played in 151 games last year. While he didn’t make it all the way back to his rookie production, it was still a strong season for the second baseman.
Part of the problem here is knowing that India is capable of scoring 98 runs while hitting 21 home runs. But also, he’s still just 28 years old, so why can’t he do it again?
The Royals are still an ascending team, but the top of their lineup is quite strong. India is slated to bat leadoff which, as long as he stays healthy, puts him in a good spot to come close to those 98 runs. After scoring 84 runs last year, it’s actually not a tremendous bridge to cross. Last year, India walked a career high 12.6% and that certainly puts him in position to be driven in by Bobby Witt, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez.
Will Vinnie Pasquantino Drive in 100 Runs?
To a degree, Vinnie Pasquantino driving in 100 runs is related to India scoring 100 runs, but ultimately it speaks to the top of Kansas City’s order. In reality though, is this cheating?
Last season, Pasquantino’s thumb injury held him to just 131 games. However, it wasn’t enough to slow down his production as Pasquantino drove in 97 runs. The first baseman also had a career-high 19 home runs while batting a solid .262. Batting in the middle of Kansas City’s order helps here but Pasquantino also comes through when needed. While his 7.1% barrel rate doesn’t jump off the page, he does hit the ball hard (45.8%).
Again, the first baseman does need to stay healthy as his 131 games last year were a career high. He’s likely capped at around 25 home runs, but with India and Witt on base in front of him, the RBI should be there for Pasquantino.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
