Ryan McBroom shows home run swing in Royals’ Cactus League win over Rangers
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Ryan McBroom showed good plate discipline and the ability to make consistent contact in his first taste of the major leagues last September. He didn’t show the one thing that set him apart in the minors, however: Power.
When asked last about his lack of power numbers in the majors after having hit 26 home runs in Triple-A last season, McBroom seemed unconcerned. Well, in the third inning of Tuesday’s 5-4 win against the Texas Rangers in Cactus League play at Surprise Stadium, McBroom dropped the boom for the first time since being acquired from the New York Yankees at the end of August.
“Once you start being concerned about things like that, it’s all downhill,” McBroom said after Tuesday’s game. “Baseball is very up and down, and you’ve got to stay even-keeled no matter how you’re swinging it. But yeah, the power comes. That’s not really something I’ve ever worried about. Just good at-bats, helping the team win is more my concern.”
McBroom, the designated hitter, smashed a 3-2 fastball from Cody Allen over the left field wall and over the Royals bullpen for a two-run home run despite a strong wind blowing in. He went 1-for-4 in the game.
Both right-handed hitting McBroom and left-handed hitting Ryan O’Hearn entered camp competing for the starting first base job. McBroom’s ability to play the outfield, however, gives him some flexibility.
Lopez keeps cruising
Right-handed pitcher Jorge Lopez has not allowed a run in his first 4 2/3 innings of spring training. He’s allowed just two hits in that span.
Lopez tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings and allowed only one hit in his start on Tuesday. Lopez, who’ll likely be in a relief role when the regular season starts, struck out five Rangers, including the first three batters he faced.
He gave up a hit and a walk in the second inning, but he bounced back to retire the next three batters in order on three fly balls batted down by a strong wind blowing in towards home plate. The late life on his sinking fastball also doesn’t make it an easy pitch to lift.
“I feel like it’s one of my strongest pitches right now,” Lopez said. “That’s where I’m trying to get better, having it down in zone and for a strike all the time. It was big time today.”
Pitching probables
The Royals will play both Chicago ballclubs in split squad action on Wednesday. They’ll travel to play the Cubs in Mesa, while they’ll also host the White Sox in Surprise.
Highly touted pitching prospect Brady Singer will start the game in Mesa, while Scott Barlow, Tim Hill, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch, Tyler Zuber, Kris Bubic, Josh Staumont, Andres Machado and Gabe Speier are also scheduled to pitch.
Meanwhile in Surprise, Foster Griffin will start with Greg Holland, Jesse Hahn, Glenn Sparkman, Kyle Zimmer, Kevin McCarthy, Connor Greene, Randy Rosario, Ofreidy Gomez and Richard Lovelady scheduled to work in relief.
Jakob Junis is slated to start on Thursday, and Mike Montgomery is scheduled to pitch on Friday.
Franco is fine
Third baseman Maikel Franco got hit in the face with baseball during a team defense drill on Monday. The ball ricocheted off his glove during a rundown. Franco had a little bit of a cut under his eye, but manager Mike Matheny said Franco finished most of the day’s drills. Franco is expected to be in the lineup on Wednesday.
This story was originally published February 25, 2020 at 5:47 PM.
