Is closer Carlos Estévez fired up for his KC Royals debut? ‘I’m so pumped to be here’
Carlos Estévez got his first taste of pitching for the Kansas City Royals on Friday.
Estévez, 32, completed a bullpen session at the club’s spring training complex in Surprise, Arizona. He sported his signature No. 53 jersey, which holds special meaning in honor of family.
The veteran right-hander threw to Royals captain Salvador Perez for the first time this spring — another cool moment for his resume.
“That’s a good target,” Estévez said of Perez, with a smile. “Man, hard to miss. And I like it. I mean, Salvy is a living legend.”
The Royals signed Estévez to a two-year contract in MLB free agency. The contract includes a club option for the 2027 season.
Estévez posted a 2.45 ERA and 26 saves with the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies last season. KC plans to use him in a high-leverage role alongside fellow closer Lucas Erceg.
On Friday, Estévez focused on his fastball command. His heater averaged 96.8 mph last season and is his go-to pitch. Opponents hit .198 against the fastball in 2024; it registered a 23.0% whiff rate, per Baseball Savant.
“I’m not trying to change my core, like the way I attack, because I know it’s good,” Estévez said. You know, it’s just little tweaks to see how I can play on a fastball count. I can drop that in a really good location and it’s going to be hard to hit.”
The Royals add Estévez to a bullpen that also includes Erceg, Hunter Harvey, John Schreiber, Sam Long and Angel Zerpa, among others.
Estévez is likely to earn opportunities to finish games this spring and into the regular season.
“Just pounding the strike zone right there,” Estévez said after his bullpen session. “I knew the locations I had to go with my changeup and slider.
“But with my fastball, I’ve just gotta keep pounding the strike zone. You know, just getting through that first bullpen feeling good and throwing a lot of strikes, I think I’m ahead right now and I’m doing good.”
Estévez also impressed the Royals’ coaching staff. KC pitching coach Brian Sweeney said he likes Estévez’s ability to command any situation on the mound. Last season, Royals relievers finished with a combined 4.13 ERA, and Sweeney looks forward to Estévez adding a new element to the bullpen.
“To see these guys start gelling as a group, come together and build that environment with Stet (Royals bullpen coach Mitch Stetter) down there is exciting,” Sweeney said.
Estévez will continue to ramp up his throwing routine ahead of the season opener. But there’s Cactus League baseball to play first.
The Royals open their Cactus League schedule on Feb. 21 against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. It will be the first chance for Estévez and other newcomers to officially suit up for Kansas City.
Estévez can’t hardly wait.
“I look good man, I look good in baby blue,” he said. “I mean, all the blues out there (today), it feels great. I’m so pumped and excited to be here. Just eager to keep working and get ready for the season.”
