Former Kansas City Royals first baseman Mike Moustakas will sign a one-day contract with his former team and retire from baseball as a Royal.
The Royals announced that they will have a pregame retirement ceremony for Moustakas when they host the Detroit Tigers on May 31.
Moustakas was a member of the Royals from the beginning of his career in 2011 through 2028, helping them make back-to-back appearances in the World Series, winning it all in 2025.
He also played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox.
Throughout his 13 years in the MLB, Moustakas will finish with a .247 batting average, 215 home runs, 683 RBI and 21 stolen bases.
As the Royals aim to make another postseason run in 2025, they will enjoy the opportunity to honor a player who helped them compete for championships in the mid 2010’s. General manager JJ Picollo earned a contract extension and is determined to prove it was a good move by the team.
Royals hoping for more outfield production in 2025
The Kansas City Royals’ successful campaign was one of the more surprising parts of the 2024 season. They reached the ALDS and made a case for themselves as a competitor in the league for years to come.
One area of the Royals that was not particularly strong, however, was the outfield. Center fielder Kyle Isbel hopes to see that change this season.
“I don’t think as players that is something you pay attention to,” Isbel said. “Every offseason, your goal is to try to get better. That’s every aspect of your game – defensively and offensively – while learning more about the game. It’s our job to grow and get better as players every day.”
Left fielder MJ Melendez hopes to take a step up as well in 2025 and help the team have an even better season in 2025.
“I want to play this game as long as possible and I want to play at the highest level,” Melendez said. “That comes with consistency, and I don’t think anything should be given. I’m very thankful for this organization (and) that I have been given plenty of opportunities. And I just want to prove them right.”
Right fielder Hunter Renfroe dealt with a lingering hamstring injury last season. He hopes to have put that behind him.
“My Achilles was bothering me a little bit,” Renfroe said, “and trying to navigate that kind of got the hamstring tight and the lower back. The Achilles kind of compounded the hamstring a little bit.”
If the Royals’ outfield plays better in 2025, the team could be in a position to make a run.
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