Lou Avila
I wrote a report card about Lou Avila in October of 2024 and I mentioned his elite stuff being incredibly impressive after taking a huge step forward last year. I am not as surprised by the incredible display of intangible skills Avila shows as some others are, but he has been a real standout in spring so far. Similar to Cruz, Avila does not have great command, but the stuff is electric and if he can have just average control of his pitches he could be a great bullpen arm in the MLB.
Avila has incredible spin rates that will translate to the MLB and while he has yet to find great production at the minor league level, he clearly has what it takes to be a great player. His spin rates are elite with his curveball hitting 3000+ at times and having incredible movement. Avila has a strong fastball and his primary offerings are his hard fastball and strong curve. He also mixes in a changeup at times but will need to develop it a little more to make it a productive pitch. If Avila can develop his command he has the potential to be one of the best pitchers in the Royals organization.
Steven Zobac
Zobac is spending his first spring with the Royals this season where he has been incredibly impressive where he has proven to be one of the best pitching prospects in the organization. Zobac displays a great three pitch mix with immaculate command of the ball all over the zone. Zobac has shown great stuff with a very strong fastball that sits around 95 MPH with great shape and has a great slider and changeup to mix in as well.
Zobac is at a great spot in his development as he has only been a full time pitcher since 2019. It is incredibly rare to see a prospect like Zobac have the command he does with such limited experience on the mound. Now, the goal for Zobac should be to add a pitch or two to his arsenal to help him keep hitters timing off and help avoid barrels. While Zobac is clearly not MLB ready just yet, but I think with the addition of a cutter or sinker he could be a very good 3-4th starter in the Royals organization.
Kris Bubic
Bubic is maybe my favorite player on the Royals and since his return to the rotation this spring he has been incredible, impressing in every way. Bubic returned from Tommy John surgery last season where he made his presence felt out of the bullpen and was one of the team’s best relievers down the stretch. Now Bubic will make his return to the rotation, which does not just entail some more innings pitched, but also an expanded pitch arsenal.
Bubic has added a sinker and a cutter to his arsenal, both of which are logging as distinct pitches in advanced metrics, a great sign for his feel for the expanded pitch mix. Bubic also returned his curveball which was his calling card as a prospect, but he has only used it sparingly. Regardless, this is a big step forward for Bubic who has only shown a 3 pitch mix in the past. Bubic now offers 3 unique fastballs, as well as 3 other offerings, making him a very versatile starter who should be set up for success in 2025.
Steven Cruz
The other day on the Fountain Cast, Preston and I discussed spring training with Jack Johnson and he mentioned Steven Cruz’s name as someone who caught his eye. Cruz is a guy who I have been a fan of over the last few years and has shown great upside for the future with the Royals. Cruz is a massive guy standing at 6’7 and has real power stuff on the mound. The question has always been if he will be able to command it at the major league level.
Cruz has had a few appearances in spring games where he has been hot and cold which has been on par with his past performances with the Royals. Cruz is a true fastball cutter slider guy and I have been more impressed with the location on his fastballs in spring so far. He still does not have great command but there is clear improvement and with his power stuff, he does not need to have pinpoint accuracy to be effective. The stuff is clearly there for Cruz and if he can maintain his command throughout spring, it is possible he could force his way onto the roster.
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