KC Royals foresee successful 2024 season: ‘We are going to turn a lot of heads’
The Kansas City Royals embark on another season Thursday, opening their 2024 campaign against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals hope things will be different this year.
“I feel like the guys in that room have set the bar differently,” manager Matt Quatraro said during the team’s workout at The K on Wednesday, “and what they hope to accomplish is probably different when you talk to them individually.
“But from a team concept, we expect these guys to go out and try to win every game.”
Wins were hard to come by last season. The Royals lost a franchise-record 106 games and fell out of the American League Central race early. KC was 7-22 — 10 games out of first place — by May 1.
The Royals realized changes were needed. This offseason, general manager J.J. Picollo prioritized veteran experience. He sought to add proven players capable of helping to establish a winning culture in Kansas City.
The Royals signed, among others, three-time World Series champion closer Will Smith. He is expected to finish games and is already a vocal leader in the bullpen. This is his second stint with the Royals — he made his major-league debut with the club.
Smith will be joined by fellow newcomers Nick Anderson, Chris Stratton, John Schreiber and Matt Sauer in the bullpen. The Royals also signed Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to fortify their starting rotation.
But it wasn’t just pitching. Slugger Hunter Renfroe, utilityman Garrett Hampson and infielder Adam Frazier were brought in as position players. Veterans will surround a young core that includes infielders Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino and starting pitcher Cole Ragans, among others.
Thursday’s opener against the Twins should offer a good look at all the changes the Royals have made. First pitch is set for 3:10 p.m. Central Time.
“I’m very excited about the work that has been done in the offseason and we’re very excited we actually get to play baseball and not just talk about it,” said Royals owner John Sherman, who was on hand for Wednesday’s workout.
Reasons for optimism
Fans got a glimpse of Kansas City’s revamped roster this spring.
The Royals’ situational hitting showed improvement during Cactus League competition. Pitcher Alec Marsh emerged as the club’s fifth starter and Ragans earned the opening day start.
Multiple players reported early to big-league camp this year. As they shared their excitement about the 2024 season, an overarching theme became clear.
These Royals want to compete.
“I think we can do better this year as a team,” third baseman Maikel Garcia said. “We can play better and get more wins this year and try to make the playoffs.”
The Royals haven’t reached the postseason since winning the World Series in 2015. In fact, they haven’t had a winning record since then, either.
That’s something they would like to change.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Witt said. “I think we are going to turn a lot of heads just with the pieces that we added and the veteran status that they have. With the young core group that we have, they are now establishing themselves. Sky’s the limit.”
Bolstered batting order
Witt’s entering his third major-league season. He put together a historic 2023 campaign, with 30 home runs and 49 stolen bases, becoming the Royals’ first 30-30 player.
He signed a massive contract extension this offseason. He is set to earn $288.7 million guaranteed across 11 years.
The Royals will certainly rely on Witt’s production at the plate this year. But Pasquantino and outfielders MJ Melendez and Nelson Velasquez will be looked upon to improve, too. Any or all of the three have breakout-season potential.
Pasquantino is coming off shoulder surgery. He posted 17 doubles, nine home runs and 26 RBIs in 61 games last year before getting hurt. Melendez was red-hot this spring with a .310 average (13-for-42) and a .571 slugging percentage. Velasquez, acquired from the Chicago Cubs, hit 14 home runs in 40 games after arriving in Kansas City last season.
The trio is capable of transforming a lineup. Pasquantino, Melendez and Velasquez will be counted on to support Witt, Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe in the middle of the Royals’ batting order.
“We’re here to expect to win,” Perez said. “If we don’t intend to win, we are in the wrong sport. We are going to do the best we can every night and every game.”
The starting rotation
The Royals also need some consistent starting pitching.
That explains why Picollo signed Wacha and Lugo this offseason. Both were solid with the San Diego Padres last season.
Wacha had a 3.22 ERA in 24 starts. He allowed 48 earned runs and struck out 124 in 134 1/3 innings. Lugo became a full-time starter and generated a 3.57 ERA in 26 starts — 17 of which were quality starts.
They join Ragans, Marsh and Brady Singer in the Royals’ five-man rotation. Ragans will spearhead it, followed by Lugo, Singer, Wacha and Marsh in the five-day cycle.
“We have guys that have been there and they know what it takes,” Ragans said. “They can give us insight on stuff; (we can) pick their brain, that kind of stuff. But I think at the end of the day everybody wants to win, and that’s all we care about. We’ll do whatever it takes.”
The Royals expect quality innings from this group of five. Ragans will look to set the tone against the Twins on Thursday as the second-youngest left-handed opening day starter in franchise history.
Ragans will be making his 22nd big-league start but his first against the Twins since joining the Royals last season.
“In my head, I want them to know the trade was worth it,” he said. “You know, I’m what they thought I was. I’m excited for what this year is going to hold, for not just me, but for all the guys in there (the clubhouse).”
