Jonathan

India

It’s just a routine day off for Garcia with a day game after a night game. The 25-year-old is off to a strong start, going 6-for-17 (.353) with two home runs, three runs, and three RBI in five games. Cavan Biggio will be in left field with Jonathan India at third base and Michael Massey at second base.

India’s three hits were all singles, ranging from 102-107 mph off the bat. An undervalued fantasy asset as the Royals’ leadoff man, he’s 6-for-16 with no strikeouts through four games.

India was hit in the jaw by a 98 mph fastball from Emmanuel Clase on Sunday night in a scary moment. However, India is right back in the lineup on Monday at third base, which means Maikel Garcia will shift to centerfield as he continues to occupy a super utility role.

Garcia was a surprising exclusion from Thursday’s season-opening lineup, but he’s back in there at third base with Jonathan India heading out to left field. Vinnie Pasquantino being limited to DH at the outset of the regular season has shaken up Kansas City’s lineup card, but it’s only a temporary issue.

Massey has gotten off to a strong start this spring, batting .571 (4-for-7) through four games. The 26-year-old figures to open the regular season as Kansas City’s primary second baseman with Jonathan India moving all over the diamond. He’s not exactly a stolen base threat, which limits his potential fantasy ceiling, but there’s 20-homer upside lurking here.

India has gotten off to a sizzling-hot start this spring, batting .429 (3-for-7) through three Cactus League contests. The 28-year-old figures to play all over the diamond for Kansas City this season, but the fact that he’s led off a handful of times already this season is extremely encouraging. It would obviously be a significant boost to his fantasy appeal if he winds up leading off ahead of Royals franchise cornerstone Bobby Witt Jr. to open the regular season.

India was acquired from the Reds in the deal for Brady Singer after playing predominantly at second base for Cincinnati but he’s expected to see looks at a few different positions this spring. That includes the outfield as well as third base. The fact that India could be an everyday option with multiple positions of eligibility certainly adds to his potential fantasy intrigue.

There’s also talk of Michael Massey and Maikel Garcia seeing outfield time as the Royals try to figure out what their best alignment might be. India has quite a bit more footspeed than Massey, so he’s probably the better candidate of those two to make the move to left. MJ Melendez still projects as the starter in that spot, though. Ideally, the Royals would add one more regular prior to Opening Day. A right fielder to bump Hunter Renfroe from the projected lineup would probably be best.

The deal which has seemingly been in the works for almost a week now was finally pushed over the finish line on Friday night. India, 27, had a solid if unspectacular season at the dish for the Reds in 2024 — slashing .248/.357/.392 with 15 long balls, 58 RBI, 13 stolen bases (in 15 attempts) and a 125/80 K/BB ratio over 637 plate appearances. He’s likely to step in as the Royals’ regular leadoff hitter while splitting his time between second base and designated hitter. The move away from the friendly hitting confines of the Great American Ballpark to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City aren’t going to help his power numbers at all though.

Both players have three years of control left. The Royals could use India as a part-time second baseman alongside Michael Massey and have him DH much of the rest of the time. He’d definitely be helpful in the leadoff spot, but Singer would be a significant price to pay over just going and signing a free agent bat for help.