This new Royals pitcher is lauded for versatility. Here’s where he can help most

The Kansas City Royals welcomed Mitch Spence with open arms during his first day with the organization.

Spence arrived for spring training Friday, one day after being acquired in a trade with the A’s. He made the short commute across the Arizona valley and then made some early rounds through the clubhouse.

“It was a great feeling to get that from everybody,” he said. “I’m excited to be here.”

Spence, 27, will be built up as a starter. He provides quality depth and an ability to pitch in relief. That versatility should come in handy, as the Royals will be without Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha due to their World Baseball Classic commitments.

Last season, Spence recorded a 5.10 ERA in 32 games (eight starts). It was a disappointing campaign but also one that offered some lessons. Spence now hopes to produce better numbers — similar to his 2024 season — and the Royals will do everything they can to help him achieve that goal.

There’s also some familiarity involved. Like Spence, assistant KC pitching coach Mike McFerran was with the Athletics organization last season. Spence said he worked briefly with McFerran while pitching in the minor leagues.

“He kind of just gave me a couple of things that he saw while in Vegas,” Spence said. “(Things) that we could work on so when I went back up to Sacramento I could be an improved pitcher.”

McFerran joined the Royals this offseason. He will work alongside main pitching coach Brian Sweeney to help players prepare for the 2026 season.

As he spoke with reporters, Spence made it clear he would like a chance to contribute this year. He may well be able to do so as a potential swingman.

“For me, it’s just getting quick outs,” he said of his approach. “Filling up the strike zone, not walking guys, quick innings and eating up innings. I think that’s when I’m at my best.”

As Spence took time Friday to meet a number of his new teammates, he also saw a former one. He knows Royals reliever Lucas Erceg from their time together with the Athletics.

Now, Spence is ready to showcase his talents with his new team.

“Whatever way they want to use me,” he said, “I’m just excited to offer whatever help I can.”

The Royals begin Cactus League play on Feb. 20. In coming days, Spence will get acclimated to the coaching staff and Kansas City’s training schedule.

The Royals have been enamored with Spence for some time. Acquiring him meant parting with a significant prospect — 2024 MLB Draft pick A.J. Causey — but the KC front office felt it was worth the investment.

“The main attraction is that he has been a major-league starter,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said of Spence following Thursday’s trade. “He has starts in the major leagues and sometimes you look at guys like that, you know, if they were free agents, how would you view them?

“And with somebody that has the amount of starts and the options, he would be valued pretty high.”

This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 5:32 PM.