Here are the latest news happenings for the Royals from last week!
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Overall Team Record: 1-2
WEEKLY SERIES RECAP
Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals (3/28 – 3/31): The biggest story for the Royals this weekend had to have been the starting rotation. Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, and Brady Singer combined allowed just two earned runs over 19 innings pitched while striking out 23. Singer may have been the most impressive on Sunday, going seven innings while giving up only three hits and striking out 10.
Unfortunately, the Royals only had one win to show for it, thanks to their lackluster offense in the first two games. They only scored two runs in the first two games, thanks to a Maikel Garcia home run on Friday and MJ Melendez RBI single on Saturday. The offense absolutely broke out of their slump on Sunday, scoring 11 runs behind Bobby Witt, Jr., who finished just a double shy of hitting for the cycle. He finished the weekend 6-for-11 with three doubles, a triple, a home run, and two walks. He was absolutely on fire.
The Royals start their week with a three-game series against the reigning AL East Champion Baltimore Orioles and finish with a four-game series at home against the Chicago White Sox. Michael Wacha makes his debut on the bump today for the Royals against Orioles right-hander Dean Kremer.
ROYALS NEWS
Matt Sauer makes his major-league debut: In Sunday’s blowout win, Royals right-handed pitcher Matt Sauer made his debut. The Royals took Sauer from the New York Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft this offseason. He was a top 30 prospect with the organization. He came into the eight inning following Brady Singer and allowed just one hit while giving up no runs.
Sadly, former Royals prospect Reed Rohlman passed away: “Reed Rohlman, a former Clemson all-Atlantic Coast Conference outfielder who was drafted in the 35th round by Kansas City and played three years in the Royals organization, has died in Florida, his former school said Friday. He was 29.”
ROYALS ANALYSIS
Anne Rogers gives her season preview and predictions: “There have been others who have predicted this, but let’s be honest: It’s bold. The Royals won 56 games last year (second worst in baseball) and finished 31 games behind the Twins. If the Royals manage a 20-win swing in 2024, they will still finish 10 games under .500. The Twins won 87 games last year. The AL Central is a weak division that has only gotten weaker with injuries and departures, but the Royals would still need to finish above .500 for a division title and a shot at the playoffs.”
Kevin O’Brien gives us his five bold predictions for the season: “That said, I think McArthur not only takes the job from Smith and the other veteran Royals relievers, but he establishes himself as the Royals’ closer in the long-run as well. I talked about McArthur’s special pitch mix, how he’s improved since being acquired from the Phillies last year, and why Quatraro and Royals fans should be optimistic about his future in my most recent post for “Farm to Fountains”.”
Bradford Lee takes look into who Royals owner John Sherman is: “I had a couple of conversations with people this last week who know John Sherman personally and they describe him as a kind, polite, generous, down-to-earth person who is committed to bringing a winner to Kansas City. And I like the moves the team has made this past off-season, from signing Bobby Witt Jr. to a long-term extension, the signing of a few veteran free agents and inducting Bo Jackson, John Schuerholz and Cedric Tallis into the club’s Hall of Fame. I think it’s important for a team to remember its roots and I’m glad to see the Royals make a strong move in that direction. This winter has changed my feelings about Sherman’s leadership. Until I see evidence pointing otherwise, I believe he is trying to build a winning organization. “
FARM SYSTEM
Zac Miller covers the Omaha Storm Chasers 2024 roster announcement: “This group of pitchers has plenty of major league experience, which will only serve to help the younger guys’ growth and development. Five pitchers (Altavilla, Cessa, Duffey, Long, and Lynch IV) have accumulated over 100 IP in the majors, adding up to nearly 1,400 IP between the five. Most of this experience lies in the bullpen, and I expect the experienced pitchers to mesh well with young talent like McMillon, Pennington, and Cruz.”
FORMER ROYALS IN THE NEWS
The Phillies extend LHP Matt Strahm
The Angels sign LHP Amir Garrett to a minor-league deal
MLB NEWS
Jordan Montgomery signs a one-year, $25 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Dodgers catcher Will Smith signs a 10-year extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Reds shortstop Matt McLain undergoes surgery for a torn labrum, will miss much of the season