Royals by the Numbers: What ZiPS Really Thinks of Kansas City (with Dan Szymborski)

What do the numbers actually say about the Kansas City Royals?

In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco welcome Dan Szymborski, creator of ZiPS, for a deep dive into the Royals’ latest projections and what they reveal about the team’s short- and long-term outlook.

The conversation begins with how ZiPS works, why projections are inherently volatile, and how historical context shapes modern baseball analytics. From there, the group digs into Kansas City’s roster—starting with recent acquisitions and a candid evaluation of the Royals’ outfield, a position group that has quietly limited the team in recent seasons.

They examine projected performances for players like Jonathan India, Isaac Collins, and Adam Frazier, discuss why catcher development often lags offensively, and analyze the Royals’ pitching depth and rotation stability. Dan also offers insight into reliever volatility, bounce-back candidates like Tanner Scott, and how strategic trades could meaningfully shift Kansas City’s projected outcomes.

This episode is a must-listen for fans who want to understand where the Royals stand and where the data says they could be headed.

Find the projections here: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-projections-kansas-city-royals/

In Dan's words, "You can, however, still get mad at me on Twitter or on Bluesky. This last is, however, not an actual requirement."

Email Jacob directly at: [e-mail]

Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online:

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– Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com
– Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social

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– Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod

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