Jonathan India Expected To Be Leadoff Hitter, Could Play Multiple Positions
Kansas City Royals second baseman Jonathan India is expected to be the leadoff hitter to open the season. India has been productive in that spot during camp and will likely continue in this role. In addition, Anne Rogers of MLB.com noted that while India is expected to play every day, he will likely do so at multiple positions. Throughout camp, the Royals have provided India with opportunities in the outfield and he has seen previous work at third base in the minor leagues. If he were to shift to several positions, this could open the door for more opportunities for No. 2 second baseman Michael Massey. Last season, India posted a .248/.357/.392 slash line with 15 home runs and 13 stolen bases. He drew walks at an elite 12.6 percent rate. India carries great value in drafts as he should provide a high total of runs batting in front of Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, and Vinnie Pasquantino.
Jonathan India Starting In Left Field In Spring Opener
Kansas City Royals infielder Jonathan India will hit leadoff and start in left field in the team's Cactus League opener on Friday against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. The Royals acquired India from the Cincinnati Reds in the offseason in exchange for right-hander Brady Singer. The 28-year-old has never played a position other than the keystone in the majors, but KC made the trade for him with a plan in mind for him to become more of a super-utility man. If India sees playing time in the outfield during the regular season, it would open up a spot at second for Michael Massey. India played in a career-high 151 games in his final season in Cincy and is a decent power/speed threat, but his move from hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark to Kauffman Stadium is definitely a downgrade. He could eventually gain 2B eligibility, but RotoBaller has India ranked as the No. 19 fantasy second baseman.
Jonathan India Will See Starts In The Outfield During Spring Training
According to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, infielder Jonathan India will receive starts in the outfield during spring training. The 28-year-old said that he should also see opportunities at the hot corner. Even though India has never played in the outfield, he expressed, "I'm athletic, and I know I can do it. I'm going to get some work in, see how it goes." Throughout his major league career, India has only seen starts at the keystone. Last season, India posted a .248/.357/.392 line with 15 home runs and 13 stolen bases. He generated an impressive .352 xwOBA and a 12.6 percent walk rate, which placed him in the 87th and 97th percentile, respectively. Currently, Maikel Garcia is slated to cover third base, while MJ Melendez is slated to cover left field. India could see his fantasy value increase if he gains more positional eligibility during the 2025 season.
The Cincinnati Reds are trading second baseman Jonathan India to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brady Singer, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. India has spent the first four seasons of his major league career with the Reds and held a cumulative .253/.352/.412 slash line with 63 home runs. Last summer, India posted a .248/.357/.392 line with 15 home runs and 13 swiped bags. Under the hood, India boasted a stellar 12.6% walk rate and an above-average .352 xwOBA. Fantasy managers should expect the 27-year-old to operate as the starting second baseman in Kansas City with the upside to bat toward the top of the lineup. Batting in front of Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez should present India with solid scoring upside.
Reds, Royals Discussing Jonathan India, Brady Singer
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India is one of several hitters that the Kansas City Royals are targeting in a trade, according to sources briefed on the team's talks. On the flip side, right-hander Brady Singer is drawing interest from the Reds and other clubs that are looking to bolster their starting rotations. India and Singer were both first-round picks out of Florida back in 2018. A trade is not imminent, though, and the Royals are also discussing the idea of trading left-hander Kris Bubic or righty Alec Marsh for a young hitter. The 28-year-old Singer is more attractive because he's coming off a career season and is under team control for two more years. Both India and Singer will be eligible for salary arbitration a final time in 2026. Landing India would solve KC's second base woes after they tried five different players at the keystone in 2024.
Jonathan India Has "Clean-Up" Surgery On His Ankle
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (ankle) had surgery to "clean up" his ankle, according to president of baseball operations Nick Krall. India will have a normal offseason and is expected to be ready for spring training. The 27-year-old ended up playing second base all year in 2024 with Matt McLain dealing with multiple injuries. Second base is still the only defensive position India has played in the majors after starting 132 games there. However, first base and the outfield could be in play for India in 2025, as well as third base, with McLain returning to play the keystone. Playing time could be an issue for India if McLain can stay healthy next season. In a career-high 151 games in 2024, India slashed .248/.357/.392 with 15 home runs, 58 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 84 runs scored as an everyday player over 637 plate appearances.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (head) is back at second base and atop the batting order as the leadoff hitter for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Chicago Cubs and right-hander Jameson Taillon at Wrigley Field. India was hit in the head by a pitch from Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee on Tuesday and entered the league's concussion protocol. The 27-year-old only missed Wednesday's contest with the Reds having Thursday off. He'll be back in there for the final three games of the regular season this weekend. India has two hits with an RBI in four career at-bats against Taillon but enters Friday's contest on a cold streak of late, going 6-for-28 (.214) with a homer, triple, two RBI and three strikeouts in nine games since Sept. 15. The former National League Rookie of the Year in 2021 will be looking to finish off his 2024 campaign strong.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India cleared concussion protocol after being hit in the head with a pitch in Tuesday's game against the Guardians. Although India did not start Wednesday's game versus Cleveland, the 27-year-old did come on as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and later stayed in the game to play second base. The Reds are idle Thursday so look for the former N.L. Rookie of the Year to be back in the lineup for Friday's road game to take on the Cubs. It looked like India had finally found his stroke in June, slashing .380/.454/.587 during the month, but has limped to a .214/.327/.377 line since the beginning of July and owns a .246-15-58-83-13 stat line for the season.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol after being hit in the head by a pitch on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians and is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest at Progressive Field. Santiago Espinal will instead get the start at the keystone and will bat seventh versus Guardians right-hander Andrew Walters. Even though India said he was fine after Tuesday's game, it's really no surprise that he's not in the lineup a day later, and it's possible the 27-year-old doesn't play again in 2024 with the regular season ending this Sunday. For now, fantasy managers should consider the former first-rounder to be day-to-day. If India cannot return for the final series of the season this weekend against the division-rival Chicago Cubs, expect to see Espinal make more starts at second.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (head) is in the league's concussion protocol after being hit in the head by a Tanner Bibee pitch in the fifth inning on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians. India did say after the game that he thought it was mild and that he'd be OK, but fantasy managers still playing for something in the final week of the season shouldn't expect India to play on Wednesday. The 27-year-old former fifth overall pick went 0-for-1 with a walk and the hit-by-pitch in three plate appearances on Tuesday before being removed early. With the Reds out of the playoff picture, they aren't going to take any chances with India if he's not 100 percent. In his fourth year in the big leagues, India has hit .247 (129-for-523) with 15 home runs, 58 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 83 runs scored in 147 games for a disappointing Reds club.
Jonathan India
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Royals
