Kansas City Royals mailbag: Last roster spots, Jac Caglianone & India in the outfield
The Kansas City Royals have their eyes on the prize in 2025.
Last season, the Royals finished 86-76 and returned to the playoffs. It was a 30-win improvement after suffering 106 losses in 2023.
KC defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Wild Card series before falling to the New York Yankees in the ALDS.
The Royals mulled over their postseason exit for months. Now, the club’s goal is simple: Win the whole thing.
“I think that’s the goal,” Royals captain Salvador Perez said. “We came into spring different and talking about playoffs. We want to go back to the playoffs again. That’s the mentality that you have to have. We are a big-league team and everybody wants to win a World Series. I always say, ‘If you come into spring training and (aren’t) thinking about the World Series, I think you’re in the wrong sport.’”
So how can the Royals get it done? The Star answered a few reader questions in the latest edition of our mailbag.
Hey Jaylon! Knowing the little effect that Spring Training performance has on the OD roster, who has the most to lose with a poor Spring performance? — Josh Keiser
The Royals returned much of their postseason roster this spring.
The club re-signed starters Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen to fortify the starting rotation. Additionally, KC brought in established vets Jonathan India and Carlos Estévez to round out the roster.
In camp, there are multiple position battles to watch. The Royals must still determine their fifth starter and nail down their bench.
Outfielders such as Nick Pratto and Nelson Velázquez are both out of options. They must make the team or risk being designated for assignment and placed on waivers. Meanwhile, Carlos Hernandez is also without an option on the 40-man roster.
Keep a close eye on those players. They are playing for a roster spot and how they look in Cactus League games could hold more weight than in years past.
The Royals haven’t detailed what the roster will look like. A strong spring from non-roster invitees such as Harold Castro, Cavan Biggio and Ross Stripling could force the organization to find a spot for the MLB veterans.
For now, KC is in a good position. The starting rotation and bullpen are largely intact. The offense is stocked with experienced veterans. The lone decisions will come in determining the bench and the final roster spots.
How do you feel about Jonathan India potentially playing in the outfield? — Royals Muse
There is a lot to like about Jonathan India. He is a terrific leadoff hitter and has already showcased his elite on-base ability in Cactus League play.
The Royals acquired him for that reason. He will set the table for Bobby Witt Jr. and the remainder of the offense. India’s impact was felt on Tuesday against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium.
India got aboard after being hit by a pitch. Witt singled next and Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-run double as the Royals took a quick 2-0 lead.
Expect a lot more of that this season.
Defensively, India is still learning left field. He missed his first fly ball in his first outfield start of the spring. It happens to even elite Gold Glove defenders when battling the sunlight on an afternoon day.
For India, it’s all about making the routine plays. The Royals don’t expect him to be an all-world defender in left field. He just needs to get the baseballs back in when the play is to his side.
“He’s a good athlete,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I don’t think there’s any reason why he can’t adapt quickly out there.”
Remember India is alternating with Michael Massey in the outfield. The Royals told India that he will see time at third base and second base, too.
So, just being serviceable in left field is all that’s required. It will help complement his offensive production.
What have your impressions been of Jac Caglianone? — Randy O.
It’s a small sample size, but Jac Caglianone is leaving quite the mark.
Caglianone is massive in person. He is 6-foot-5 and has the power to match his “still” developing frame. The Royals got an up-close view as he smacked his first solo home run against the Chicago White Sox.
The Statcast numbers were insane: 435 feet and a 115.4 exit velocity.
The ball jumps off Caglianone’s bat. He has enjoyed a hot start at the plate but is still learning the finer points of the game. The Royals are bringing him along as he gets real experience against MLB pitchers.
Caglianone is the Royals top prospect. He will get a full year of professional experience in the minor leagues, but it’s clear to several fans that he has a bright future ahead.
Seems like we’ve got the offense, defense (pending our infielders learning the OF), and starting pitching. How’s the bullpen looking? Any names that have people excited? — Josh Simon
The Royals are excited about their revamped bullpen. It started last season with the addition of Lucas Erceg and Hunter Harvey at the MLB trade deadline.
Both players are high-velocity relievers. We all saw what Erceg can do in late-inning situations as he emerged in a closer role. The jury is still out on Harvey. He is someone worth watching as he missed significant time with a back injury.
Harvey is back to full health. On Tuesday, he felt great about his first spring relief appearance after such a long layoff.
“It feels good,” Harvey said. “Throwing all the lives and stuff is just not the same. To be able to get back out there and face another team is fun.”
Harvey is expected to be a high-leverage reliever in the bullpen. He can work in a setup role alongside John Schreiber, Angel Zerpa and Sam Long among others. The Royals will deploy all of their relievers in matchup-based scenarios.
Estévez can finish games and that could also free up Erceg at times to operate in a “fireman role” in high leverage. This means he could face the middle-of-the-order, when the game is on the line, regardless of the inning.
Imagine this: Erceg gets the opponents’ best hitters in the seventh inning, Harvey and/or Long gets the eighth and Estévez finishes it out.
That rotation could flip and have Erceg in the ninth with the others filling in. The Royals have bullpen options and roles will be fluid throughout the season.
Are there any arms in the minors that the Royals (or you) are cautiously optimistic about them taking a bigger step forward? — Bryan
There are several young pitchers that are impressive. Guys like Noah Cameron, Ben Kudrna and Steven Zobac are among the Royals top prospects. They all have impressed in workouts and Cactus League Play.
The Royals also have Luinder Avila and Evan Sisk who have looked good in bullpens and live batting practice. This spring, Avila touched 98 mph in a game and Sisk was dominant with Triple-A Omaha.
Other names such as Chandler Champlain, Andrew Hoffman and Beck Way have immense upside as well.
Best places to eat (away from ballpark) when coming to spring training games!!!??? — Jan Karlin
The first thing you learn in Surprise, Arizona, is that the local community has every chain restaurant that you can imagine. I’m talking Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse, In-N-Out and good old-fashioned Applebee’s and Chilli’s.
For me, I love Angie’s Lobster. It is the only place in Surprise to get an affordable lobster roll and to have it taste authentic. I also like Salad-and-Go which is another place to get a health-conscious option for a realistic price.
Now, if we are talking about more expensive varieties, I would suggest Rio Mirage and Bonfire. Both give you a nice feel of upscale quality.
You can’t go wrong with any option to eat in Surprise. And when you’re back in KC, you can try Bobby Witt Jr.’s favorite sushi ... like I did.
