These Royals players made impressions before baseball spring training was suspended
The abrupt suspension of MLB spring training games as a result of concerns about spreading the COVID-19 coronavirus and the uncertainty about when and how teams will restart creates a natural break to assess the Kansas City Royals standout performers after the first 18 exhibition games in Arizona.
Coming off of a 59-103 season in 2019, the Royals and new manager Mike Matheny went into this spring wanting to foster a highly competitive environment as the organization continues to attempt to increase the overall talent level of the big-league roster and create depth.
Here are three Royals position players and three pitchers who could have made for interesting roster decisions in the final weeks of Catcus League play before the originally scheduled opening day of March 26. Of course, the MLB season now appears at least pushed back until mid-May if not later.
Position players
RYAN O’HEARN
Royals general manager Dayton Moore and Matheny repeatedly expressed confidence that O’Hearn’s struggles in 2019 — a season slash line of .195/.281/.369 — were behind him and that they expected the left-handed hitting slugger to be in contention for everyday playing time at first base in 2020.
This spring, O’Hearn backed up the offseason talk by hitting five home runs in 13 games (35 at-bats) while posting a slash line of .343/.395/.857. Of his 12 hits this spring, eight were for extra bases. His 30 total bases were more than he accumulated last spring despite having had 15 fewer at-bats this spring.
RYAN McBROOM
McBroom, acquired from the New York Yankees minor-league farm system at the end of August, showed a mature approach at the plate in his major-league debut in September. However, he didn’t show many glimpses of the power he’d displayed throughout his career in the minors.
This spring, the right-handed hitting McBroom batted .314 with a .368 on-base percentage and three walks compared to five strikeouts. He also smashed three home runs and posted a slugging percentage of .657 in 35 at-bats. Six of his 11 hits went for extra bases, and his eight RBIs ranked behind only O’Hearn.
The performances of McBroom and O’Hearn seemed to set up a potential potent platoon at first base.
BUBBA STARLING
This is a pivotal spring for the hometown product who made his MLB debut in 2019. Starling is out of minor league options, which means the Royals would have to expose him to waivers if he doesn’t make the major league roster, which would open him up to being claimed by another organization.
This spring, Starling swung a hot bat to the tune of a .367 batting average to go along with a .441 on-base percentage and a .767 slugging percentage. Starling struck out just four times and walked three. He also hit three home runs in 30 at-bats and stole three bases.
Pitchers
DANNY DUFFY
Ailments somewhat stifled Duffy’s 2019 season. A shoulder issue caused him to begin the season on the injured list, and a hamstring strain in August necessitated another IL stint. He went 7-6 with a 4.34 ERA in 23 starts with a 1.31 WHIP.
Moore proclaimed Duffy ready for a breakout year during Royals FanFest in January, and the left-hander and elder statesmen of the starting rotation certainly looked the part in his two short spring training outings. Duffy tossed six scoreless innings, struck out nine and allowed just four hits and one walk.
TREVOR ROSENTHAL
A non-roster invite to spring training who signed a minor-league contract this offseason, Rosenthal battled command issues last season — his first since returning from Tommy John surgery.
Rosenthal showed elite velocity with a fastball around 100 mph and kept men largely off base during his five appearances in five innings. He didn’t issue a walk and allowed three hits. Meanwhile, he struck out nine and posted a 0.60 WHIP in five scoreless outings. He made himself one of the front-runners for a role in the back end of the bullpen.
GLENN SPARKMAN
The Royals decided to move Sparkman out of a starting role to the bullpen, where he figured to benefit from shorter outings and increased velocity. While he has minor-league options, which could leave him open to starting the season in the minors, he was very impressive this spring.
Sparkman’s lone hiccup in 8 1/3 innings, the second-most of any pitcher on the staff this spring, came in the form of a solo home run. Aside from that one pitch, he looked dominant. He struck out 12 batters without a walk and matched Rosenthal this spring in WHIP (0.60) and opponent’s batting average (.167) in five relief appearances.
