2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 Kansas City Royals Rookies To Keep An Eye On

By Doug LaCerte

2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 Kansas City Royals Rookies To Keep An Eye On

Brandon Finnegan Kansas City Royals — The Kansas City Royals will enter 2015 with a bunch of young talent and a lot of mojo. Several exciting rookies are hoping to earn themselves a spot on the 25-man roster. Here are five young Royals hoping to make a splash this spring.

5. Paulo Orlando

Paulo Orlando Kansas City Royals

5. Paulo Orlando

Paulo Orlando Kansas City Royals — This Sao Paulo, Brazil native played 138 games with Triple-A Omaha last season and batted. 301 with 68 RBIs and 34 stolen bases. Dayton Moore refers to Orlando as a "really exciting player," one who can play any outfield position well and should continue to improve. Look for him to earn some consideration for an eventual promotion this year.

4. Miguel Almonte

Miguel Almonte Kansas City Royals

4. Miguel Almonte

Miguel Almonte Kansas City Royals — Moore says Miguel Almonte has better command of his fastball than Yordano Ventura did at the same stage, and pointed him out as someone to watch during Spring Training. This 21-year-old finished his last season in Advanced-A with 110.1 innings pitched and 101 strikeouts.

3. Terrance Gore

Terrance Gore Kansas City Royals

3. Terrance Gore

Terrance Gore Kansas City Royals — Terrance Gore showed off his speed for the baseball world on the game's grandest stage last October. Now, he hopes to round out the rest of his game enough to be considered more than a pinch-runner. With the Advanced-A Wilmington Blue Rocks, Gore hit .218 in 89 games last year. Despite having 55 hits and 66 strikeouts over that stretch, he also stole 36 bases.

2. Christian Colon

Christian Colon Kansas City Royals

2. Christian Colon

Christian Colon Kansas City Royals — The Royals expect Colon to be their utility man, and Moore tells the press that he believes this skilled 25-year-old infielder could contend with Omar Infante for his job as the starting second baseman. I thought that was a stretch before remembering Infante's minimal contributions in 2014. Perhaps some strong offense from Colon could spark a serious debate in KC.

1. Brandon Finnegan

Brandon Finnegan Kansas City Royals

1. Brandon Finnegan

Brandon Finnegan Kansas City Royals — Where Brandon Finnegan starts the 2015 season will depend on the Cactus League. If enough left-handed relievers step up and make the regular season roster, fans will see Finnegan develop into a starter in KC's farm system. If the bullpen looks like it needs him, or if he just looks too good to keep him out of the big leagues, he'll join one of baseball greatest bullpens on paper.

Doug LaCerte is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DLaC67, “like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.

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