Wild Royals Predictions: Phase 2

It's time for phase 2 of my offical 2009 Royals Predictions. Remember, that all predictions come packaged and delivered with a Paul Thompson 100% guarantee. Batteries sold seperately.

Prediction #2: The Royals will have three or more representatives at this years All-Star game.

I've already outlined the cases for Alex Gordon and Billy Butler in the first part of this series, and that was the hard part. Assuming that one of those two makes the cut, albeit a large leap of faith, I only need to two more Royals to make the squad to fulfill my prediction of three on the AL team. Those two will almost assuredly come from the following group:

Joakim Soria: Kansas City's 2008 all-star, Soria is the closest thing to a lock on the team. A bona fide star closer, Soria posted a 1.60 ERA last season with 66 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings pitched. His 42 saves last year left him second in the American League behind record-setting former Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez. With Rodriguez now in a Mets uniform, Soria could easily step up and become the best closer in the league. Barring a serious injury, Soria will be at the game.

Zack Greinke: The recently inked 38 million dollar man has a lot to prove this season. First and foremost, he needs to prove that last year was no fluke. While widely considered one of the best young arms in the game, Greinke has really only had two productive seasons as a starter, one of which came in his rookie campaign as a 20 year old. Now 25, Greinke is blossoming into the pitcher we all knew he could be. He posted a 3.47 ERA last year and recorded 183 strikeouts. Another year in the same range should give Greinke the street cred he deserves. I see Greinke winning 15-17 games this year behind a much improved offense. Because his numbers are already superb, the few extra victories should be enough to catch the attention of the east and west coast media, even if it is only in speculating when the Royals will trade him to their teams.

Gil Meche: Now here is a guy who deserved to be an all-star in each of the past two seasons. He posted stellar ERA's in both years but was (seriously) hindered by his run support, finishing 97th(3.92 runs a game to back him up) and 79th(4.42) in the league in '07 and '08. It's refreshing to know he was still rewarded in 2007 but it can be argued his better year was 2008. While he had a bit higher ERA, he also struck out more batters and had more victories. I was also very impressed with his ability to bounce back from the worst month of his Royals career and have a stellar season. Meche was 1-4 with a 7.22 ERA last April yet was still able to turn in a great year. At this point it is clear that his signing was a home run, and he deserves to be treated like the staff leader that he is. If Greinke is not recognized this year, then Meche almost certainly will be.

I fell that I've discussed five players now that have legitimate chances at making the squad in this summer's all-star game. I haven't even mentioned newcomers Mike Jacobs and Coco Crisp, or last years breakout star Mike Aviles. A shortstop, Aviles has a real chance to make some noise if he continues to produce as he did last season.

So there are my candidates for all-star glory. Stay tuned for the last part of my Royals predictions, which could very well concern the teams overall record this season. Is there any doubt that I'm optimistic?