The Kansas City Royals made a splash this week by promoting their top prospect, Jac Caglianone, to the big leagues. He’s set to slide into the lineup starting Tuesday at Busch Stadium as the team faces off against their rival St. Louis Cardinals. This move has already sparked conversations about the roster, specifically the fate of outfielder Dairon Blanco, who will be making way for Caglianone. But let’s turn our focus to another name—Michael Massey—who finds himself in a precarious position as the season progresses.
Massey entered this season with high expectations after showing promise in 2024, posting a solid .259 batting average with an OPS of .743 and a league-average 102 wRC+. He was entrusted with a key role in the lineup, even batting fifth on Opening Day. However, those early-season hopes have gradually begun to slip away. Unfortunately for Massey, his performance has been underwhelming, leaving the Royals with little patience for a player who had initially appeared primed for growth.
Currently, he holds the unfortunate distinction of owning the second-lowest OPS among all qualified hitters in Major League Baseball. There doesn’t appear to be a consistent rhythm to his game lately, and his struggles are contributing to a lineup that’s struggling for offensive production. To make matters more concerning, his expected statistics aren’t much to write home about. With an xBA placing him in the 14th percentile and an xSLG in the 4th percentile, his numbers suggest a player who’s not making the necessary impact at the plate.
The scouting reports tell a grim story. Massey’s spray chart reveals a slew of weak singles—a far cry from the power numbers the Royals desperately need. The silver lining for Massey is that he’s managed to avoid strikeouts, landing in the 83rd percentile for K-rate and the 79th percentile for whiff rate. This discipline at the plate, coupled with his solid defense, has kept him in the lineup for now. However, if he continues to be primarily a singles hitter without the pop that typically gets fans out of their seats, tough decisions loom on the horizon.
As Caglianone steps into the spotlight—expected to take on primarily designated hitter duties but also rotate through first base and the corner outfield spots—it puts more pressure on Massey. The Royals acquired Jonathan India in the offseason, hoping that competition might spark something in Massey. Yet with the emergence of Drew Waters, John Rave, and Nick Loftin as more viable alternatives, the writing may be on the wall for the young infielder.
To up the ante, it’s clear that the Royals would benefit from seeing Massey rejuvenate his swing. He has shown glimpses of what he’s capable of, including a memorable postseason performance last year when he delivered a game-tying triple against the Yankees in a critical moment. Those flashes of brilliance have not gone unnoticed and add weight to the argument that he deserves a chance to reclaim his spot in the lineup.
Taking a step back to Triple-A could be the reset that Massey needs. A few weeks away from the pressure of the Majors might allow him to recalibrate and rediscover his hitting touch. However, with Caglianone now in the mix and other players nipping at his heels, there’s no certainty that his spot will remain available when and if he returns ready to contribute. The clock is ticking, and for Michael Massey, finding his footing will be essential for both his career and the Royals’ quest for success.
