The Kansas City Royals have made headlines this offseason by re-signing veteran pitchers Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen, while also adding reliever Carlos Estevez to bolster their bullpen. Most notably, they acquired Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer, a move that has shaken up the team's infield structure. This acquisition resulted in Paul DeJong, a former member of the Royals' 86-win roster, finding himself without a clear role in Kansas City, ultimately signing with the Washington Nationals.

DeJong has shown promise during spring training, holding a perfect fielding percentage through 19 innings. His versatility allows him to play multiple infield positions, making him a valuable asset for the Nationals as they look to solidify their roster. After a productive season with 24 home runs and 56 RBIs, his potential for an everyday role in Washington lends intrigue to his fantasy value for the upcoming season.

As the 2025 fantasy baseball season approaches, identifying value picks in best ball leagues becomes crucial. Notably, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners stands out as a prime target, having posted impressive numbers including a strong barrel rate and the potential for another 30-home run season at a discounted ADP of 82. Similarly, Eugenio Suárez, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, excels in best ball formats, finishing as one of the top third basemen based on his second-half surge, making him an enticing pick at ADP 132.

Jonathan India, recently traded to the Kansas City Royals, represents a buy-low opportunity at ADP 181 thanks to his projected lead-off role, which could boost his run production. Isaac Paredes, now a member of the Houston Astros, has shown great potential for power, particularly in the hitter-friendly environment of Minute Maid Park, making him a worthy gamble at ADP 216. Lastly, Ryan McMahon, despite his consistent performance, is surprisingly undervalued at ADP 234, particularly with favorable scoring in best ball formats.

In fantasy baseball, prioritizing power-hitters early might lead to a scarcity in run projections, as these players often bat lower in the order. However, savvy managers can find late-round gems with high run-scoring potential. This article highlights six such players, emphasizing the importance of batting position and lineup strength in maximizing run opportunities.

Among the notable late-round targets are Jurickson Profar of the Atlanta Braves, who signed a lucrative contract that secures him a starting position and could see him scoring over 100 runs if he continues to hit leadoff. George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays, despite a dip in batting average, is poised for a bounce-back with solid on-base skills. JJ Bleday of the Athletics showed considerable improvement last season and is expected to keep building on that success while batting in front of power hitters. Jonathan India, now with the Kansas City Royals, is also in a prime spot to score runs at the top of the lineup. Lastly, Michael Busch from the Cubs and Sean Murphy from the Braves, each with favorable positions in potent lineups, present excellent opportunities for run production. These players could provide valuable contributions to your run totals without requiring early-round picks.

MLB spring training is always a hotbed for player position changes, with notable shifts this season. Jose Altuve's transition from second base to left field highlights his declining defensive metrics, as he grapples with a new position after years as a Gold Glove second baseman. Mike Trout's move to right field aims to prolong his career by reducing wear and tear, while Alex Bregman may face challenges at second base despite his successful track record at third. Mookie Betts steps into a full-time shortstop role, a position he played effectively last season, while Jazz Chisholm Jr. returns to second base. Jonathan India, shifting to left field, must adapt quickly in Kansas City.

The Kansas City Royals have made a significant adjustment to their lineup by moving Jonathan India from second base to left field as they kick off the Cactus League play against the Texas Rangers. Initially acquired from the Cincinnati Reds to partner with star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., India will now take on a new role. Although he has predominantly played second base since his MLB debut, this shift aims to leverage his bat while potentially compensating for his defensive struggles.

In his past two seasons, India has posted disappointing defensive metrics at second base, contributing to the shift in position. The Royals hope that placing him in left field will mitigate those defensive liabilities while allowing him to bring his offensive consistency to the forefront. With India leading off, the Royals look to make an impact early in the game.