Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals players: who played for both
Who played for both the Braves and Royals?
117 players played for both the Atlanta Braves and the Kansas City Royals between 1969 and 2025, including Jeff Francoeur, Whit Merrifield, Keith Lockhart and Lonnie Smith. 62 of them played for the Braves first and 46 for the Royals first; 9 played for both in the same season.
Did you know?
- Hawk Taylor is the earliest on this list to complete the pair: Braves first, then the Royals from 1969.
- Scott Blewett is the most recent: Royals first, then the Braves from 2025.
- Jeff Francoeur played the most games across the two: 730 for the Braves and 360 for the Royals.
- 25 of them had two or more separate spells with one of the teams, such as Jeff Francoeur.
- Most common positions on this list: P (64), OF (22), C (9), 2B (7).
How many can you name?
Name players who played for both the Braves and the Royals. The surname is enough. 0 / 117
All 117 players, most games for the two first
| Player | Pos | Braves | Royals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Francoeur | OF | 2005–2009, 2016 (730 g) | 2011–2013 (360 g) |
| Whit Merrifield | 2B | 2024 (42 g) | 2016–2022 (863 g) |
| Keith Lockhart | 2B | 1997–2002 (658 g) | 1995–1996 (232 g) |
| Lonnie Smith | OF | 1988–1992 (518 g) | 1985–1987 (302 g) |
| Gerald Perry | 1B | 1983–1989 (643 g) | 1990 (133 g) |
| Michael Tucker | OF | 1997–1998 (268 g) | 1995–1996, 2002–2003 (418 g) |
| Terry Pendleton | 3B | 1991–1994, 1996 (593 g) | 1998 (79 g) |
| Gene Garber | P | 1978–1987 (558 g) | 1973–1974, 1987–1988 (105 g) |
| Jermaine Dye | OF | 1996 (98 g) | 1997–2001 (547 g) |
| Wally Joyner | 1B | 2000 (119 g) | 1992–1995 (518 g) |
| Matt Diaz | OF | 2006–2012 (578 g) | 2005 (34 g) |
| Omar Infante | 2B | 2008–2010 (300 g) | 2014–2016 (298 g) |
| Bill Pecota | 3B | 1993–1994 (136 g) | 1986–1991 (445 g) |
| Nicky Lopez | 2B | 2023 (26 g) | 2019–2023 (520 g) |
| Jorge Soler | OF | 2021, 2024 (104 g) | 2017–2021 (395 g) |
| Peter Moylan | P | 2006–2012, 2015, 2018 (357 g) | 2016–2017 (129 g) |
| Orlando Cepeda | 1B | 1969–1972 (401 g) | 1974 (33 g) |
| Tony Graffanino | 2B | 1996–1998 (231 g) | 2004–2006 (203 g) |
| Rey Sanchez | SS | 2001 (49 g) | 1999–2001 (377 g) |
| Darryl Motley | OF | 1986–1987 (11 g) | 1981, 1983–1986 (402 g) |
| Wilson Betemit | 3B | 2001, 2004–2006 (233 g) | 2010–2011 (141 g) |
| Melky Cabrera | OF | 2010 (147 g) | 2011, 2017 (213 g) |
| Alberto Callaspo | 3B | 2015 (37 g) | 2008–2010 (317 g) |
| Brayan Peña | C | 2005–2008 (71 g) | 2009–2012 (264 g) |
| Tony Peña | SS | 2006 (40 g) | 2007–2009 (287 g) |
| Charlie Leibrandt | P | 1990–1992 (92 g) | 1984–1989 (194 g) |
| Gregor Blanco | OF | 2008–2010 (204 g) | 2010 (49 g) |
| Ruben Gotay | 2B | 2008 (88 g) | 2004–2005 (130 g) |
| Jesse Chavez | P | 2010, 2021–2025 (190 g) | 2010–2011 (27 g) |
| Al Hrabosky | P | 1980–1982 (100 g) | 1978–1979 (116 g) |
| Reggie Sanders | OF | 2000 (103 g) | 2006–2007 (112 g) |
| Will Smith | P | 2020–2022 (130 g) | 2012–2013, 2024 (80 g) |
| Arodys Vizcaino | P | 2011, 2015–2019 (201 g) | 2022 (7 g) |
| Mike Minor | P | 2010–2014 (111 g) | 2017, 2021 (93 g) |
| Bruce Chen | P | 1998–2000 (42 g) | 2009–2014 (157 g) |
| Bruce Dal Canton | P | 1975–1976 (68 g) | 1971–1975 (127 g) |
| Hawk Taylor | C | 1957–1958, 1961–1963 (67 g) | 1969–1970 (121 g) |
| Roberto Hernandez | P | 2003 (66 g) | 2001–2002 (116 g) |
| Ted Abernathy | P | 1966 (38 g) | 1970–1972 (144 g) |
| Kris Medlen | P | 2009–2013 (155 g) | 2015–2016 (21 g) |
| Larry Owen | C | 1981–1983, 1985 (58 g) | 1987–1988 (113 g) |
| Kyle Davies | P | 2005–2007 (53 g) | 2007–2011 (99 g) |
| Blaine Boyer | P | 2005–2009 (129 g) | 2018 (21 g) |
| Lucas Duda | 1B | 2018 (20 g) | 2018–2019 (126 g) |
| Emilio Bonifacio | OF | 2014, 2016–2017 (103 g) | 2013 (42 g) |
| Omar Moreno | OF | 1986 (118 g) | 1985 (24 g) |
| Paul Bako | C | 2000–2001 (85 g) | 2006 (56 g) |
| Rudy Seanez | P | 1998–2001 (125 g) | 2004 (16 g) |
| Tim Spehr | C | 1997 (8 g) | 1991, 1997–1999 (125 g) |
| Ron Mahay | P | 2007 (30 g) | 2008–2009 (98 g) |
| Kyle Farnsworth | P | 2005, 2010 (49 g) | 2009–2010 (78 g) |
| Chad Durbin | P | 2012 (76 g) | 1999–2002 (48 g) |
| Eli Marrero | C | 2004 (90 g) | 2005 (32 g) |
| Horacio Ramirez | P | 2003–2006 (88 g) | 2008–2009 (34 g) |
| Larry McWilliams | P | 1978–1982, 1987 (100 g) | 1989–1990 (21 g) |
| Billy Hamilton | OF | 2019 (26 g) | 2019 (93 g) |
| Lane Adams | OF | 2017–2018 (111 g) | 2014 (6 g) |
| Abraham Almonte | OF | 2021 (64 g) | 2018 (50 g) |
| Pedro Ciriaco | 3B | 2015 (84 g) | 2013–2014 (30 g) |
| Elliot Johnson | SS | 2013 (32 g) | 2013 (79 g) |
| Rico Rossy | SS | 1991 (5 g) | 1992–1993 (105 g) |
| Mark Davis | P | 1992 (14 g) | 1990–1992 (95 g) |
| Juan Berenguer | P | 1991–1992 (77 g) | 1981, 1992 (27 g) |
| Ervin Santana | P | 2014 (31 g) | 2013, 2021 (70 g) |
| Juan Cruz | P | 2004 (50 g) | 2009–2010 (51 g) |
| Paul Byrd | P | 1997–1998, 2004 (51 g) | 2001–2002 (49 g) |
| Paul Zuvella | SS | 1982–1985 (97 g) | 1991 (2 g) |
| Darrell May | P | 1995 (2 g) | 2002–2004 (96 g) |
| Joe Hoerner | P | 1972–1973 (45 g) | 1973–1974 (52 g) |
| Jonny Gomes | OF | 2015 (83 g) | 2015 (12 g) |
| Moe Drabowsky | P | 1961 (16 g) | 1969–1970 (76 g) |
| Roman Colon | P | 2004–2005 (41 g) | 2009–2010, 2012 (51 g) |
| Odalis Perez | P | 1998–1999, 2001 (52 g) | 2006–2007 (38 g) |
| Josh Anderson | OF | 2008 (40 g) | 2009 (44 g) |
| Ken Ray | P | 2006 (69 g) | 1999 (13 g) |
| Rick Ankiel | OF | 2010 (47 g) | 2010 (27 g) |
| Nick Anderson | P | 2023 (35 g) | 2024 (37 g) |
| Gregg Olson | P | 1994 (16 g) | 1995, 1997 (54 g) |
| John Thomson | P | 2004–2006 (68 g) | 2007 (2 g) |
| Stan Belinda | P | 2000 (10 g) | 1993–1994 (60 g) |
| Trent Hubbard | OF | 2000 (61 g) | 2001 (5 g) |
| Robbie Grossman | OF | 2022 (46 g) | 2024 (16 g) |
| Francisley Bueno | P | 2008 (1 g) | 2012–2014 (55 g) |
| Bob Johnson | P | 1977 (15 g) | 1970 (40 g) |
| Jason Frasor | P | 2015 (6 g) | 2014–2015 (49 g) |
| Rick Luecken | P | 1990 (36 g) | 1989 (19 g) |
| Sandy Valdespino | OF | 1968 (36 g) | 1971 (18 g) |
| Anthony Swarzak | P | 2019 (44 g) | 2021 (7 g) |
| Jorge Fabregas | C | 1999 (6 g) | 2000 (43 g) |
| Elmer Dessens | P | 2008 (4 g) | 2006 (43 g) |
| Joel Payamps | P | 2025 (2 g) | 2021–2022 (44 g) |
| Albie Lopez | P | 2002 (30 g) | 2003 (15 g) |
| Joe Nelson | P | 2001 (2 g) | 2006 (43 g) |
| Ray Holbert | SS | 1998 (8 g) | 1999–2000 (37 g) |
| Scott Downs | P | 2013 (25 g) | 2014 (17 g) |
| Cavan Biggio | 2B | 2024 (4 g) | 2025 (37 g) |
| Adam Bernero | P | 2005 (36 g) | 2006 (3 g) |
| Gaylord Perry | P | 1981 (24 g) | 1983 (14 g) |
| Austin Cox | P | 2025 (13 g) | 2023 (24 g) |
| Mark Redman | P | 2007 (6 g) | 2006 (29 g) |
| Octavio Dotel | P | 2007 (9 g) | 2007 (24 g) |
| Ray Sadecki | P | 1975 (25 g) | 1975–1976 (8 g) |
| Steve Shields | P | 1985–1986 (29 g) | 1986 (3 g) |
| Ryan Buchter | P | 2014 (1 g) | 2017 (29 g) |
| Tucker Davidson | P | 2020–2022 (9 g) | 2023 (20 g) |
| Jose Bautista | OF | 2018 (12 g) | 2004 (13 g) |
| Trevor Cahill | P | 2015 (15 g) | 2017 (10 g) |
| Don Wengert | P | 2000 (10 g) | 1999 (11 g) |
| Anthony Lerew | P | 2005–2007 (11 g) | 2009–2010 (9 g) |
| Miguel Batista | P | 2012 (5 g) | 2000 (14 g) |
| Scott Blewett | P | 2025 (11 g) | 2020–2021 (5 g) |
| Terry Clark | P | 1995 (3 g) | 1996 (12 g) |
| Jake Odorizzi | P | 2022 (10 g) | 2012 (2 g) |
| Manny Pina | C | 2022 (5 g) | 2011–2012 (5 g) |
| Jorge Vasquez | P | 2005 (7 g) | 2004 (2 g) |
| Taylor Hearn | P | 2023 (1 g) | 2023 (8 g) |
| Terry Bell | C | 1987 (1 g) | 1986 (8 g) |
From the SABR Lahman Baseball Database (CC BY-SA 3.0), 1876–2025. A season counts when the player played at least one regular-season game for the franchise.Braves seasons include the Boston Red Caps (1876–1882), Boston Beaneaters (1883–1906), Boston Doves (1907–1910), Boston Rustlers (1911), Boston Braves (1912–1935, 1941–1952), Boston Bees (1936–1940) and Milwaukee Braves (1953–1965).
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Questions
How many players have played for both the Atlanta Braves and the Kansas City Royals?
117 in the Lahman Baseball Database from 1969 to 2025, including Jeff Francoeur, Whit Merrifield, Keith Lockhart and Lonnie Smith. A player counts when he played at least one regular-season game for each franchise.
Who was the first player on this list to play for both?
Hawk Taylor: Atlanta Braves first, then the Kansas City Royals from 1969.
Who has played for both recently?
Whit Merrifield, Jorge Soler, Jesse Chavez, Will Smith, Nick Anderson and Robbie Grossman and 4 more, with a season for one of the two in 2024 or 2025.
Does a player count if the team has moved or changed its name?
Yes. Seasons count for today's franchise, the way the Lahman database links every team-season to a franchise. Braves seasons include the Boston Red Caps (1876–1882), Boston Beaneaters (1883–1906), Boston Doves (1907–1910), Boston Rustlers (1911), Boston Braves (1912–1935, 1941–1952), Boston Bees (1936–1940) and Milwaukee Braves (1953–1965).
Careers from the SABR Lahman Baseball Database (CC BY-SA 3.0). Team logos are trademarks of their respective teams (logos via TheSportsDB). Independent and not affiliated with MLB or any team. Credits