Kansas City Royals Can Learn One Lesson From 2026 MLB Playoffs

While the Los Angeles Dodgers are the talk of baseball, and in many people’s minds the root of what could end up being an extensive MLB lockout this winter, a lot of conversation is simply about big markets versus small markets. There is no question that the Dodgers have an advantage over smaller-market teams that simply cannot afford to make certain trades and signings. That said, their way is not the only way to build a competitive team.

Entering Saturday, there were five teams left in the MLB playoffs, and the Dodgers were the only one with a top-end payroll. Of course, we will have to wait and see what happens when it comes to who ends up winning it all this year and if the Dodgers win a third straight World Series, but one thing is for sure: teams can at least get deep into October without spending massive money.

The way to do this is drafting and developing well, and investing in homegrown talent. That is a lesson the Kansas City Royals can learn from these playoffs, and the good news for them is that they have the homegrown talent worth investing in.

It obviously starts with superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who is one of the best players in the game, and arguably the very best at his position. But he is not the only young star on this team. Both Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen look to be really good players for a long time, and how they ended the 2026 regular season showed a lot.

While Kansas City may not be able to go out and sign top-end talent, the Royals absolutely can, and should, go all-in on this young trio.

Look no further than the two AL Central teams in the ALDS. Both the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox are led by their young talent. For Chicago, it’s players like Munetaka Murakami, an older rookie after being signed from Japan, Chase Meidroth, Kyle Teel, and others. For Cleveland, it’s rookies Travis Bazzana, Chase DeLauter, and Parker Messick, along with other young players like Brayan Rocchio, Angel Martinez, and more.

Again, it is yet to be seen if this homegrown formula can take down the Dodgers, but if nothing else, it is a step in the right direction that the Royals should take, locking up their young stars and looking to build around them in a division that is almost always up for grabs.