Spring (Cactus League) Record: 4-3-1

Key Highlights From the Week

To start, we had a bit of everything here this week: to MJ putting it back together at the plate, Maikel trying his way in center field, Michael Massey starting to look good in the outfield, top prospects performing, we had a lot of good things to chat about this week. So let’s get this recap started!

KC v LAD (2/22)

Quite possibly the most exciting matchup of the week happened precisely a week ago, when the Royals took on the Dodgers. It was a high scoring affair, with 10 runs total scored in the first two innings. Maikel Garcia was one of the mainstays that contributed with a beautiful opposite field, bases clearing triple to the gap. 

If Maikel can figure out that swing more often, we’re poised to see some good progression from him this year. Everyone pretty much came through to help out, with RBIs from Drew Waters, Freddy Fermin, Gavin Cross, and Omar Hernandez. And other contributions from Tyler Gentry, Nick Loftin, and Cavan Biggio to say a few. The most impressive part of this game? The resiliency from the younger players on this team, that are all mostly non roster invitees. It’s nice to see the message being taught at the top, trickling down to the mentality of our younger players.  They were down 8-10 in the eighth, and rallied back in the ninth to win the ballgame. John Rave ended up coming up big at the end, with a go-ahead two run triple in the ninth. 

Rave is one of those guys that really could make a name for himself if he continues to play. Hasn’t really got a whole lot of developing left before he’s ready to be at the major league level, and at 27 he really is looking to make a spot for himself. Ended up winning this one 11-10, with Carlos Hernandez and Chandler Champlain giving up most of the runs. Now onto the next!

CWS v KC (2/23) 

This one was controlled by the young guys. With most of the power coming from our top 100 prospects. With Blake Mitchell unfortunately leaving spring early due to injury, we were looking forward to see what these young guys are able to do, especially given the seasons they had last year. But, we were in luck because the other two showed out in this one. Jac Caglianone (MLB #22 prospect) and Carter Jensen (MLB #88 prospect) both had tape measure shots to right center. Both of these guys just absolutely showing off the strength. 

Carter Jensen even had a bat flip to add to his celebration, when he hit it off the bat at 106 mph exit velocity. And if you didn’t think that one was cool enough, Jac Cags shut everybody up with one of the loudest and longest blasts in Royals history. 

If it wasn’t spring training, it would have been the third hardest hit homer in Royals history. Coming off the bat at 115.4 (!!) mph, and traveling all the way across the galaxy at 435 ft. The Royals ended up winning this one 4-3, but of course everything else about the game didn’t matter. The prospects came to play, and everyone was ennamored. 

ATH v KC (2/24)

Using the new abbreviation instead of OAK is very different, and wow does it odd after seeing it one way for so long. Anyway, that is more impressive than what actually happened in this one. It was a 1-1 tie, how great, a baseball game ending at 1-1. But Cole Ragans had his spring debut and looked good, that’s about it in this one. Cavan Biggio hit a bomb, which is definitely helping his case to making the team. If he continues this, he’s going to start 90 games for the Royals this year. Mark it now, I said it here first. 

KC v TEX (2/25)

Fifteen runs and twenty-two hits. That’s how many the Royals had in this one, as the gang just kept on whacking the ball all over the yard. Started in the first couple innings where the Royals put up 7 before the Rangers could take a drink. Jonathan India started the party, getting hit by a pitch, Bobby Witt Jr singles, Vinnie doubles, 2-0 Royals. 

I hope that is a constant this season, and if it is this offense is going to be nasty. Didn’t stop there, with Michael Massey singling setting it up for Nick Pratto who delivers a two-run double to make it 4-0. Really important for Pratto to keep playing well, I think he still has a lot to prove; but if you could get him contributing to this team, that’s another weapon that would solve some of the offensive problems from a year ago. We had Tyler Tolbert and Luke Maile hitting a homers in this one, if that tells you anything about the offensive barrage it was. Six starters had multi-hit games in: India, Pasquantino, Massey, Garcia, Isbel, and Maile. Then once the starters got out, Jac Cags and Drew Waters had two hits and a couple RBI of their own as well. So everyone got involved in this 15-6 victory. Seth Lugo ended up having his season debut in this one, and looked solid. Gave up a three-run bomb so that inflates his numbers a bit, but good to see him back out there.

COL v KC (2/26)

The MJ Melendez game is what this one should be called. Although it was the first loss of the spring, if it got MJ right, then who cares, hallelujah thine the glory. He collected a couple hits in that resulted in a couple RBI singles. 

He needs to be at the forefront of this offense, if they want to change the perspective of how dangerous it can be. He had a pretty tough start before this game, but he has started coming around. Nick Loftin also contributed again, with an RBI double in the first, drawing a walk, and getting another hit in the process. Another guy that really needs to step out of the early struggles to his career, to take this offense to the next level. With them talking about Maikel playing the outfield, it has to do a little bit with Nick Loftin playing well. You had the spring debuts of Lucas Erceg and Michael Wacha in this one too, with Wacha having a bit of a struggle, and Erceg striking out a couple but giving up a run. They ended up losing this one 7-6, but MJ was definitely the big story. Hopefully he can jump out of his struggles.

KC v MIL (2/27)

The first televised game for the Royals fans to watch was this one and it started off well. With Jonathan India continuing to rake, hitting a double that lead to a run. So it seemed all dandy and according to plan, until Thomas Hatch gave up four runs in an inning and a third. Struggled to get out of the inning, and that was it for this one. The highlight in this one of course is Bobby Witt Jr. hitting his first bomb of the spring. 

We ended up bringing in some young guys out of the bullpen to get experience, and then they brought in Ross Stripling, who started his Royals career by giving up five runs. How great! John Rave showed up again with another hit, so keep a lookout for him. Ended up losing this one 12-5, so it was good to get some of the younger guys some experience. 

KC v ARI (2/28)

This one was tough. Couldn’t get the bats going at all, with the only run on the afternoon being an MJ Melendez homer. Which was nice to see, don’t get me wrong. Especially given the swing changes he’s made, it seems like he’s getting a bit more comfortable with it. It’s spring I know, but it is going to still take time to refine the approach. The adjustment to the adjustment, that’s the game all in of itself and MJ needs to really figure that out. Sam Long and Tyson Guerrero gave up the runs in this one, but hey, everyone has a bad day sometimes.

Royals Player(s) of the Week

Jonathan India: 

This goes without saying, but in these few spring games so far, he is exactly what this Royals team needs to stir the pot. He’s starting games off hot, continuing rallies started by the bottom of lineup, has looked good in the outfield and third in some action there. Dude is just a professional, and that is something that is needed on a team like this. Someone to demonstrate how veterans continue to work on their craft. Yes, they have Bob in there and that’s well documented, but I think it’s a completely different story when it comes to players coming into the clubhouse from prior organizations. 

Maikel Garcia:

Maikel is such an essential part of this team when he is going, man. It is just a completely different energy that a sparkplug brings, so that’s why it’s so important that he does well. With him effectively getting placed out of the leadoff spot, they need depth in this lineup. They just do, and he can add that. He’s also getting reps in center field, and feels confident about it? Yeah, this kid is legit, he just needs the proper time to grow and turn into the ballplayer he is. Could you imagine if he ended up playing center field for us down the stretch? All respect to Kyle Isbel, but if Maikel can turn the corner in center, he is your center fielder of the future. Yes, I said it. You’re able to get him off of third where you can potentially upgrade your team significantly while keeping Maikel in the lineup? Yes. Sign me up. 

John Rave:

John Rave is such a fascinating case for me because he has done nothing but progress throughout his minor league tenure. He is just older for a prospect since he came out of college and still needed some work when he got here. In the spring, he’s been great. Yeah limited work sure, but he’s shown up in big moments, stolen a couple bags, and has a big league approach at the plate.  He’s elite in centerfield, could play all the OF spots, and he shows some legitimate presence. Like I said, has taken a bit to get to this point, and his bat still needs to progress from a contact prospective, but he is player that just feels like a Royal. He checks just about every box that they love, and you will see him on this team in 2025 at some point. 

Summary of the Next Week:

We have seen the spring debut of just about everyone! So, there aren’t any other new appearances to see for the week, but if I had to say something to look forward to, it would be the younger guys playing. We only get a few more games before they start shrinking camp, so enjoy the time while we can. Because there will be surprises coming I’m sure. So that’s my advice for the next week, check out how the young prospects are doing cause you won’t see them for long. I think Cags probably will stay most of the time, but there are some guys that still want to show something for this coaching staff, so that’s exciting. Another thing, look out for the bullpen arms this week. I think there will probably be a more detailed plan as we get closer to the season of who comes in when, etc. Because the starting pitching staff is probably pretty much figured out. Just need to fill in some of the gaps. I’ll see you all next week, and take care!