Spring (Cactus League) Record: 9-4-1

Key Highlights From the Week

Well how about that? Except for the game last Saturday, the Royals were undefeated this week in spring ball. Highlighted by some excellent pitching, the stars starting to show up for KC, and some surprises along the way. There was also the first set of reassignments, to head to minor league spring training. So without further ado, let’s get into it!  

CHC v KC (3/1)

This one was over before it started, and just was not a good look, but like I said, they picked it up after this one! Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch did most of the heavy lifting for the Cubs, but when you score 11 runs, everything works out well for you. All the Royals offense could muster in this one was a patent pending, Vinnie Pasquantino sac fly. Cole Ragans got shelled, allowing seven runs in just a couple innings of work, but it’s spring. Bob also had a two hit day, but that was pretty much it in this one.

KC v SD (3/2) 

The Freddy Fermin game. In all honesty we could call this a couple different things because the Royals scored ten runs on the day and it wasn’t particularly close. But when one player has four RBI you’re going to highlight that, especially when he’s a dawg like Freddy Fermin. It came in the way that Fermin usually works, which is singles, just “hitting it where they ain’t”. 

Harold Castro joined in on the offense with a two run homer, fighting for a chance on a major league roster somewhere. I honestly do not think that the Royals will inevitably have room for him, but he’s shown enough to probably make it with another team. The legend of John Rave continued in this one as well, as he collected a couple hits. He’ll show up again here soon I’m sure. Cam Devanney also tallied a couple knocks as well. Another player there just doesn’t seem to be any space for. He’ll be in AAA for the season, but depending on if he’s valued well by other teams, he could make his Royals debut at *some time* in 2025. He’s cooked just about as much as you can. Seth Lugo looked okay in his three innings of work against his former team, giving up three runs in the process. He had a lead the whole time, so there’s no reason to criticize his performance, especially because it’s spring. 

TEX v KC (3/3)

Daniel Lynch IV started this one for the boys and had three scoreless innings, he continues to look very solid in the spring, as he only allowed one hit in the outing as well. He is such a peculiar case for this team. Because he could be a starter if he proved he could be more consistent, but coming out of the bullpen looked good for him down the stretch last year. I don’t think he has a spot in this rotation and he knows that, but if you think that he won’t make a start at all in 2025 you’re wrong. He’ll have a spot here and there. Especially with how modern baseball sometimes likes to throw in a bullpen game, he would be poised for that. Nick Pratto hit his first homer of the spring in this one! He has been slow to the punch, but he has some time to continue to prove to people he can be counted on. I personally think that he has something still in him. Whether he discovers that with Kansas City is a completely other discussion. This was the first start of MJ Melendez coming around the bend as well! With two hits, including an RBI triple, he is starting to dig that new approach at the plate. Then some help from a couple minor league guys driving in some runs in Daniel Vasquez, Omar Hernandez, and Brett Squires. I’m pretty sure all three of them were reassigned directly after this one. So welcome to the bigs kids, it’s a ruthless business. They ended up winning this one 6-3, with Noah Cameron closing it out.

SEA v KC (3/5)

This one started as all Royals v Mariners games have lately, with Julio Rodriguez getting the scoring started with a homer. He hit two bombs in this one, continuing his domination of the Royals. His numbers are nuts against them, batting over .440 in the last couple years, good thing these don’t count! In that spirit, let’s talk about all the good things the Royals were able to do in this one. MJ Melendez, remember him? He’s hitting bombs again and it was on the inside part of the plate. The spot that he could not get to last year. His swing is shaping up, I cannot wait to see what he can do this year. Believe me the jury is still out until July, but there is reason to believe he has gotten better and has more confidence. Michael Lorenzen and Kris Bubic both went a few innings in this one. With both allowing at least a run in the process. Nothing to be concerned about, everything is normal. Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia collected a couple hits a piece in this one as well, with some steaks attached. I’m telling you. If Maikel can get it going and be the player we all think he can be, woo boy. This offense takes another step in productivity, and it would be greatly appreciated. Joey Wiemer goes to dongtown for the first time in the spring in this one, showing off his simple, easy power. The depth on this team at first glance doesn’t stick out, but once you deep dive you see that there is so much talent in the trenches. 

KC v CHC (3/6)

Cole Ragans. That’s it, that’s the write up. He looked fantastic this time against the Cubs, striking out six in his three innings of work. And it didn’t particularly look close from the Cubs perspective, it’s almost as if Cole was proving to Cubs hitters that he could get them out if he wants to. 

Michael Massey got the offense started in this one, with an RBI double to right. 

MJ had a botched fly ball turn into a double that scored a run, but hey Merv will take it. Then the legend of Freddy Fermin continues with an RBI double of his own. But here’s the big ticket, Jac Caglianone hit another homer in Cactus League play. Just a lefty smash over the right field fence and I think someone said it best on twitter, lefty home runs are magical. Especially with the brute strength of Jac Cags. This kid is doing everything he can to prove he’s ready for the big leagues. 

We’ll see how he does down the stretch in spring. If he starts to get more at-bats and continues to get better, there will have to be a discussion. They are going to want him to see some more minor league action, but with any luck, it might be June when we see Cags in KC. 

LAA v KC (3/7)

It was pouring down rain in this one in Surprise, as this one only went six innings. But that probably has a lot to do with how well the Royals were hitting in this one. After Jonathan India walked, Bobby Witt Jr. showed off his freak ability, as the pouring rain didn’t stop a ball hit at 112 mph off the bat. I hope we can see that 30-40 more times in the regular season, that would be a sight to behold. It was a bit of a homer show in this one. With Hunter Renfroe joining the action, as he tries to get it going for the first time this spring. Peyton Wilson homers in this one, which provides you some hope that this extra base power he’s developed can transfer to higher levels. Then ending with Vinnie Pasquantino and Brian O’Keefe bombs as well. A total of five on the day, as they cancelled this one early because of the rain. 

Royals Player of the Week

MJ Melendez:

He tallied four hits in ten at bats this week, as his approach continues to get better at the plate. As mentioned earlier, with the new stance, he can reach inside pitches easier than before. How many times can you remember MJ swinging past a high fastball he just couldn’t catch up to? It has been too many times that I can count, so hopefully that helps that part of his game. Another major change I’ve noticed is his ability to shoot the ball the other way again. If you remember, what made MJ so dangerous in that 48 homer minor league season in 2021, is he had crazy power going the other way. And when he debuted in 2022, we saw that sometimes, but since then it has been non-existent. It’s refreshing to see him shoot the ball the other way, because honestly he is the best version of himself when he does that. I look forward to how he does the rest of spring, and what he can do to the adjustment to his adjustment. That has been his biggest qualm while in the big leagues for MJ, that he seemingly can’t adjust when the pitching has adjusted to him. I think that is the biggest determining factor if he can continue on this stretch. That’s why I said earlier, it’s going to be until July til the verdict is out. But if he is able to adjust, look out. 

Summary of the Next Week:

The Royals have some split squad matchups for the first time this spring so that is something to look forward to. Additionally, the roster will continue to get smaller and smaller here. So don’t be upset if one of your favorite prospects gets demoted while playing well. You just can’t keep everyone. But I’m looking forward to what this team can prove in the next few weeks, and how the roster shakes out. I’ll see you all next week, and until next time, keep watching the Royals (if MLB allows you to).