Final Score: TEX 1 | KC 1

Overall Spring Record: 13-13

Key Highlights

Angel Zerpa’s dominant outing: While Spring was a mixed bag for Zerpa, he ended Spring on a high note. Against the Rangers he had 3 1/3 innings pitched giving up three hits, no runs, with four strikeouts and no walks. With Zerpa making the Opening Day roster, he has a solid chance to be a Ryan Yarbrough-lite pitcher for the Royals.

It’s time to discuss Walter Pennington: Coming into Spring Training, the Royals had a good amount of bullpen depth with Sam Long, Dan Altavilla, Steven Cruz, Will Klein and a couple others. Of the others, not many had Walter Pennington as a potential option for the Royals at some point this season. Pennington finished Spring with a 1.23 ERA and a K to BB ratio of 16 to 2. He will start the year in AAA Omaha, but could be the first bullpen arm called up if needed.

Lackluster end for free agents: The signings of Hunter Renfroe, Garrett Hampson and Michael Brosseau were for depth or reclamation projects, but they all ended Spring rough. Against the Rangers, they went 0 for 7 combined and all of them finish below the Mendoza line in batting average. Hampson and Renfroe probably make the Opening Day roster and Spring stats don’t tell the whole story but it isn’t a great way to begin with a new team.

Other Notable Performances

Bobby Witt Jr.: 1 for 2, 1 BB

Nate Eaton: 1 for 1, 1 R

Evan Sisk: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

John Rave: 1 for 1, 1 RBI

Summary of Next Game

The Royals will be playing an Exhibition match against their AA affiliate Northwest Arkansas on Monday, March 25. After that they begin the regular season against the Minnesota Twins facing Pablo Lopez. The Royals will send out Cole Ragans to start the year at Kauffman.