Final Score: KC 2 | COL 4
W: Cal Quantrill L: Cole Ragans
Overall Record: 11-7
Key Highlights
Maikel Garcia
Despite the loss, Maikel was exactly what we need him to be against the Rockies on Tuesday. Along with walking twice, he smacked a ball off Cal Quantrill that reached the grass seating over the left field fence. If Maikel can continue to reach his power potential, who knows what kind of player we could see in 2024? His fielding is already pristine, and his contact skills are there, so there are only a couple of things needed to flip the switch from a ballplayer to a star. If he’s able to continue to show this much discipline as well? The possibilities are endless.
Nick Loftin
Throughout the spring, we’ve seen one Nick step up, but in the weeds is Nick Loftin, who is putting together an excellent spring himself. Collecting a couple more hits in Tuesday’s performance, he has his spring batting average at .400 with an OPS north of 1.000. Sure it’s only 20 ABs, but the flexibility and the potential that Loftin has is through the roof. It is going to be really hard to crack, but Loftin is making it hard on the Royals staff to keep him off the Opening Day roster. He has a veteran ahead of him on the depth chart currently, but if he keeps playing this way he’ll see the field. His versatility will only help him throughout the season, but if you can develop one your guys by playing him more, you DO it.
Cole Ragans
Ragans came back down to earth on Tuesday, giving up four earned runs over 3.2 innings. He struck out a couple, but he clearly was not the bat killing machine we’re all used to seeing. In the first and second innings, he struggled to get the lead off hitters out, and then it just spiraled from there. With the Rockies producing runs themselves in the first, and Ragans giving up a 2-run homer to Coco Montes (yes that’s a real name) in the second. He settled down with a scoreless third, and got the first two batters out in the fourth, before he was replaced by Chris Stratton. A lot of the contact was made down the middle of the plate, early in counts, so he’ll look to improve his location before the regular season starts.
Other Notable Performances:
Vinnie Pasquantino: 2-3, 2B, R
Garrett Hampson: 2-3
Chris Stratton: 1.1 IP, 2 K’s, 1 H
Next Up!
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Kansas City Royals – 3/13/24 @ 3:05 CST
Reid Detmers, LHP vs. Daniel Lynch IV, LHP
