Final Score: TEX 2 | KC 5

Spring (Cactus League) Record: 1-0

Winning/Losing Pitcher

• W: Austin Cox (1-0 | 18.00 ERA)
• L: Nolan Hoffman (0-1 | 40.50 ERA)
• S: Anthony Simonelli (1 | 0.00 ERA)

Welcome Back, Royals fans! There is finally actual (kind of) meaningful baseball on, we are so back. With the Royals facing their Surprise neighbors for the spring, the Texas Rangers. As we get back into it, Farm to Fountains will be doing *weekly* recaps for the spring, and when we get into the regular season the recaps will be for each game. So don’t fret, the best Royals coverage you can get is still going to be on Farm to Fountains. But we wanted to bring them to you on Saturday mornings, so you could enjoy your morning with some breakfast, coffee/smoothie and some great Royals spring content to keep you in the know. So with the introduction to the weekly recaps done, let’s get into the fun stuff!

Key Highlights

This one started the way we want most of our games to start in 2025, with Jonathan India getting on base. He laced a first inning single that didn’t amount to any runs, but showing that ability that he is here for. I think India is going to be a welcome addition to this lineup. Not only for his ability to get on base, but I think his game has the opportunity to jump significantly, hitting in front of the MVP runner-up, Bobby Witt Jr. 

After Daniel Lynch IV looked solid in two scoreless innings, Noah Cameron was the next man up. Boy I can tell ya, I think this kid is something special. I’ve mentioned him many times as a rotation candidate for the Royals on my podcast on Farm to Fountains, Drop the Ball. He reached 94.7 mph on his fastball in his first action so that’s sure to get better, and he was incredibly efficient! Taking only 13 pitches to get through his two innings of work. If you want a pitcher name to really follow in the spring, Noah Cameron is that guy. Nick Loftin had a good day, collecting a couple hits and a couple RBIs in the process. Some solid contact for him as well, 100 mph exit velocity off the bat. If Loftin can consistently show that his bat skills have improved, he will make this roster. He is still a first round pick after all, getting selected right after Gunnar Henderson. Given the situation at third base, Loftin also has an opportunity to earn split time with Maikel Garcia if he has a good enough spring. Because just like they still think Maikel and MJ can be contributors, Loftin can break out  as well. Given his traits: solid defense, plate discipline, and natural bat to ball skills, if he can prove that his bat has come along significantly from before, or he’s just more caught up to major league pitching. He would be a welcome addition if he can add his extra base power to this lineup. Just getting guys that are above average on your team is also very key, especially to a team that can’t outspend everyone. Jac Caglianone had his first MLB spring appearance, where he struck out and went 0-2. He is human after all everyone, and major league baseball is hard. But it will be exciting to watch him in the spring, he’ll definitely show us something we haven’t seen before. 

Before we get into the player of the game and the best moment from the game on Friday, I want to highlight Luca Tresh. He went 2-2 in his first action in spring as a professional, and he is someone who can get overlooked in this system given the depth we have at catcher. But this guy was a beast coming out of NC State in 2021, and there was skepticism that we would sign if he got picked as late. So the Royals took a flyer, and he has been solid for them. His defensive prowess is why he was drafted, and his offensive numbers don’t blow you away, but he will be a solid major leaguer one day. He has some discipline to figure out, but who doesn’t? He has a career .750 OPS and .250 BA in the minors, but when you look at catchers in major league baseball, this is what they look like. Average offensively, above average defense, a bit older, etc. I’m not saying I want this to happen, but I think if a team really values Freddy Fermin and blows you away with a trade offer in a year or two, Tresh could easily slide up into that role. Because unlike some other catchers in the system, this guy is a career catcher, he’s not moving positions for offensive flexibility. He’s just a slam dunk major leaguer, can’t tell you how he’ll be or what he’ll do, but he’s not flaming out in the minors. He’ll make it to the show eventually.

Royals Player of the Game

In the bottom of the eighth, the Royals had just had the score tied up the previous half inning, so they were looking to get a run across to win this ball game. Carter Jensen (!) took his first at-bat and walked, hopefully that’s a sign of what’s to come, and Dairon Blanco singled. Making way for Tyler Gentry. Who absolutely nukes a ball into left field; loud, long, gone. When Tyler Gentry shows off the power, it looks so effortless. He has a case to make this team if he can continue to hit like that. Many people on Farm to Fountains have eluded to the fact, that the outfield is pretty much an open try-out. If someone outshines by a lot, like a Gentry or Pratto type, they are going to reward that. Because they need production in the outfield. It was atrocious last year, and this isn’t evaluation season anymore. If you can’t play, you’re out. But more with Gentry, his past two seasons were pretty underwhelming for his standards. So, with some added motivation, he could get pushed over the top. He will struggle, so if he does make the team they know they’ll have to have someone in their back pocket, but that’s baseball. Gentry really does make sense for this team, and they really are begging for him to breakout. 

Summary of the Next Week:

We get more baseball on Saturday, with Chandler Champlain making his spring debut against the Dodgers. Nick Frasso is on the mound for the Dodgers, a highly rated prospect for them. So it should be a good matchup between a couple of the more refined prospects in each organization. We have Kris Bubic and Cole Ragans going after that in consecutive days, but we haven’t heard the rest of the week. I imagine we’ll see a good amount of the veteran guys later in the week, then with some young bucks, like a Noah Cameron or Steven Zobac, getting an opportunity to start further down the line. Looking forward to the cast of characters that will show up in spring. I think there might be a couple surprises lined up as well. With some players breaking out that we don’t expect to make the team. All that said, I’m just happy that we have Royals baseball back. Spring is some of the best time as a baseball fan, you can be hysterical and overreact to all of the breakout performances. Just for them to make the team and not do anything when the season starts. It’s the best. So I hope you’ll come along for the ride, and we can’t wait to see it unfold.