How white-hot bats and efficient pitching have KC Royals atop the spring training world

On Wednesday, the Kansas City Royals crushed the Chicago White Sox 14-5. This gave the Royals their 11th win of the spring, more than any other team in Major League Baseball.

On Thursday, the Royals own the best record in the Cactus League, with the best run differential by a long shot: plus-42 versus the next best, a plus-19 for the Los Angeles Angels.

With white-hot bats and pitching that’s looking much improved, the Royals’ young roster is showing immense potential. The team holds the highest marks in practically every meaningful batting category.

But successful hitting in spring training is nothing new for the Royals, who led the way in those same categories last preseason. What is new however, is that the Royals can claim a top 10 group of pitchers.

Last spring, the Royals finished dead last in team ERA, 30th place, at 6.70. They’re currently tied for ninth but have a much-improved 4.23 this spring.

For the Royals to turn a corner from last season, they’ll need to see that pitching translate to regular-season success. The Royals’ pitching staff had one of the worst seasons in the league last year — near-worst ERAs, the third-fewest strikeouts and the second-most walks.

The Royals made “Raid the zone” their motto this spring following the shortcomings of last year, and the pitchers have lived up to that goal thus far.

Issues with walks and strikeouts from last season? This spring, at least to this point, they seem to be squarely in the rear-view mirror.

The team’s pitching staff currently ranks eighth-best in walks allowed and has the second-most strikeouts in the league. Previously, first-year manager Matt Quatraro had emphasized the importance of pitching in the spring, and he’s seen major strides in during his first year as a manager.

“I think everyone’s just playing free,” pitcher Josh Taylor said. “We’ve got a young group of guys with a lot of energy in here and I think that’s showing on the field. We’re getting good pitches to hit and we’ve got throwing strikes and pounding the zone. It’s a recipe for success.”

With the Royals’ season and home opener three weeks away, the team has plenty to be optimistic about but will have to make do without several key players who are participating in the World Baseball Classic, including Salvador Perez, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasqunito and Brady Singer.

This story was originally published March 9, 2023 at 1:39 PM.