It's been nine seasons since Kansas City has seen their Royals compete an MLB season with a winning record, but as the spring draws near, there's reason for the KC faithful to have hope. The Royals last season were statistically one of the league's best hitting and worst pitching teams. The maturation of first basemen Billy Butler has the fan base excited to buy 2012 Royals tickets ahead of Opening Day. The 25-year-old drove in a career best 95 RBIs and appears ready to elevate his game to All-Star status this coming season. Another Royal that is coming off a career year, left fielder Alex Gordon is also coming into his own as a MLB player. With some improved pitching and the continued development of KC's young stars, the Royals have the potential to find their winning ways in 2012.

The focus is on the future in Kansas City. The Royals have a small army of top prospects in their farm system waiting to break through to the major leagues. While the KC faithful shop for 2011 Royals tickets, the team’s coaching staff is hard at work trying to identify which of their starlets are ready to make the jump to the MLB. As for the immediate future, Ned Yost will turn to proven players like Jeff Francoeur, Melky Cabrera, Mike Aviles, and Alcides Escobar to lead the team out of the AL Central basement. Additionally, Kansas City will lean on one of the most promising hitters in big leagues - Billy Butler. The strapping designated hitter batted .318 in his fourth season in the league, thumping 78 RBIs home for Kansas City. However, Butler will need to improve his clutch hitting in 2011 for the Royals to compete for a division title. Will the Royals’ young prospects breakthrough this season or will Kansas City keep playing the waiting game at Kauffman Stadium? Get pumped up for the season by checking out the video the team played on jumbotron before their home opener this season.