Spring Recap Week 3! Comebacks, Cross, and Caglianone – Farm to Fountains

Spring (Cactus League) Record: 13-8-1

An even week, as the Royals go 4-4 within the past few matchups this week. It was all over the place, but I know we are just waiting to see what this team can do in the regular season. Unfortunately Bobby Witt Jr. sustained a setback after getting hit in the wrist during an at bat. He ended up being replaced, but that’s  unsurprising for a star in spring training. It seems that he will recover before Opening Day arrives, but we’ll see how the process goes. They need to take every precaution they can, because without Bobby, this is just a completely different team. Thankfully it seems like he’ll be okay, but still a scary sight, and we won’t see him much the rest of spring. But let’s attack the good of the week, while highlighting a bit of the beat downs. With some comebacks sprinkled all over. So without further ado, let’s go!

KC v SF (3/8) (Split Squad)

Man, these split squad matchups really didn’t turn out fair for the Royals. Michael Wacha had some problems with the longball, giving up two homers in his brief start. One to Mike Yastremski and another to Matt Chapman, famous Royals killer. This one was one sided the whole time. In the ninth, the Royals added a couple tallies to the score via a Spencer Nivens homer. That was about it for that one, and the other split squad game didn’t fair much better.

KC v TEX (3/8) (Split Squad) 

Surprisingly enough, this one was worse for the Royals but I promise it gets better. The Royals only scored runs via an out in this one if that highlights it enough for you. The first time Daniel Lynch got beat up a bit this spring, but it was against a team that had been facing him a bunch so far. So that’s it for this one, just not a lot of good, but it’s coming!

MIL v KC (3/9)

Okay some action in this one! Jonathan India got the party started with a leadoff homer for the Royals. We thought he was here to get on base, but hey, I’ll take the power. I hope we see that a bunch here in 2025. Be on the lookout for him to lead the league in leadoff homers, it’s possible. 

Then of course, Jac Caglianone made his presence known with another bomb of the spring. Oh yeah, he has the team lead in home runs after not facing any major league pitching prior. This one was also off of Nestor Cortez, who sure has not looked good of late, but still a veteran hurler. Oh, and then he hit a double as well that was hot off the bat over 100 mph exit velocity. I don’t have a time machine so I can’t think of when he will be up with the big league club, but I think it won’t be too much longer. 

Maikel Garcia playing center field, and taking his approach to the next level. He has that simple swing to center figured out again in the spring, and I can’t wait to see him develop this year. We could see a jump from Maikel. This one ends up being 5-2 with the Royals holding on.

CLE v KC (3/10)

This one was a bit uglier. The Guardians just came out and held the Royals scoreless until the eighth inning when Harold Castro came out of the woodworks for an RBI single. Tyler Tolbert had a couple hits in this one but that was highlights. Nothing the Royals could do, and ended up scoring after it was too late. Ugly spring training game has never happened before, right..?

KC v AZ (3/11)

This matchup was pretty competitive throughout, and had both teams using their starting lineups pretty deep into the game. Michael Massey had a three hit day en route to a 6th inning RBI single but that only lessened the blow for the Royals. The more puzzling question in this one is: How is Lucas Erceg doing? Because he has had a pretty underwhelming spring to say the least. In this one specifically, just couldn’t get out of the inning. Continued to give up singles with two outs and runners on, something he was particularly great at for the Royals 2024. Do I think there are reasons not to trust him? No. He was so nails for you last year, you have to trust he will round himself out by the season. And who knows, he could just be working on some other pitches and is only throwing those. I haven’t heard the management say anything about it yet, so until I hear them squabble, I have every inclination to trust him. Royals can’t get the offense started and the big inning given up by Erceg is the difference. D-Backs take this one powered by some of their younger stars. 

KC v SEA (3/12)

“Julio Rodriguez is good against the Royals? Oh my god, who would’ve guessed?”. Before you could say that sentence Julio put the Mariners up with a solo shot, he just turns into superman when he sees the powder blue, man. Get ready for the next bit, I’m sure he won’t stop soon. Before we get to specifics, this is the one where Bob gets hit on the wrist and is taken out of the game. Like stated previously, it seems he will be okay with no fractures at all. Vinnie collects an RBI double in this one with some help from Freddy Fermin as well. But it’s not until the ninth when the Royals mount a comeback with the most unlikely cast of characters. Tyler Tolbert, who replaced Bob, hits a two run homer to cut the lead down to one. Then after a Jac Cags double, Gavin Cross (!!!) hits a game tying triple, adding to his already impressive spring. That would be a fun thing to see at the major league level. The Cags double, then Cross bringing him around to score? Yes. He had a couple hits on the day, but if he can continue to refine his skills, the big leagues will be calling soon. Stone Russell of all people, singles in Cross, and that is the final tally in this one, Royals 7-6. 

SD v KC (3/13)

Daniel Lynch headed to the bump again in this one, and didn’t look his best. It was a Padres lineup that had a lot of the usual suspects in it, but another rough outing isn’t ideal here. MJ Melendez continued his impressive spring with an RBI single, and the other offensive outburst in this one? Joey Wiemer. Wiemer went to dongtown for the second time in the spring, and drove in three runs in the process. A game tying three run bomb in the bottom of the ninth for my Wiemer. What a sight to behold. I think he has a lot to prove here, and I can’t wait to see it. Of all things, a fielding error gave the Royals the lead, and it ends 6-5 in KC’s favor. 

KC vs LAA (3/14)

Another comeback for the cardiac Royals, who are virtually silent as the Angels run up the score over and over. Until a big sixth inning, where the Royals put up six. Starting with Maikel Garcia perfecting that middle of the field swing yet again, and then gangbusters after that. With Hunter Renfroe driving in a couple with a double, and Nick Loftin tying the game up with a two RBI double of his own. Loftin’s fourth double of the spring, adding to his outbreak in the spring. 

It was also the spring debut of new Royals reliever, Carlos Estevez. Who was scoreless in his outing, looking forward to what else he can show us soon. But it was a Peyton Wilson home run in the top of the eighth that was the difference in this one. Another power performance by him, who has developed that extra base pop the past couple years.

Maikel Garcia

Not the player of the week you expected, but the player of the week that deserves it. Like I mentioned previously, his approach at the plate has seemingly gone back to that 2023 style of hitting the ball up the middle and the other way. We haven’t seen a bunch of power from Maikel necessarily, but if he can just figure out how to hit, that will benefit this lineup much more. Because like many have said, homers are a result of the best contact. So I think a lot of the power will figure itself out with Maikel once he gets more comfortable at the plate. The Royals need Maikel in 2025, without question. In order for this team to make the next leap and strive to go deeper in the playoffs, a more developed Maikel is key. 

Honorable Mention: Gavin Cross

Summary of the Next Week:

As we inch closer to opening day, more prospects will be sent out to minor league camp to get ready for that season. But the Royals still have another week plus before we get to some games that actually matter. We haven’t heard of an opening day starter yet, as many teams have started getting that information ready. I think we have a pretty good idea of who that could be. No need to speculate though, we will wait til we see what’s next. Despite the injury to Bobby Witt Jr., the Royals will start playing the starters just a bit more to see what they can do. Once again, we probably know what consists of the opening day lineup, but there are one or two spots that could be solidified. I look forward to seeing you all next week for the final week of spring! Regular season is almost here Royals fans.

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