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[Kansas City Royals]

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[Kansas City Royals]

Analyst Believes Royals Prospect Could Have Impact With Team This Season

The Kansas City Royals made the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2015 after finishing with a record of 86-76 and tied for second in the American League Central in 2024.

Not only did the Royals finally get back into the playoffs, but they swept the Baltimore Orioles in the wild-card round before losing to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.

This offseason, the Royals made a few acquisitions, including second baseman Jonathan India, relief pitcher Carlos Estevez and outfielder Joey Wiemer.

MLB analyst Jaylon Thompson adds that Royals prospect Jac Caglianone could have an impact on the team in 2025.

“If he’s going to make an impact on the MLB roster, he might have to work on his defensive skills, and he might see some reps in the outfield,” Thompson said, via Foul Territory.

"They want him to hit, that's what they drafted him for."@jaylonthompson says this 2-way @Royals prospect is more likely to be an impact bat. pic.twitter.com/cTW04p1Lsn

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 4, 2025

Caglianone is a 21-year-old who is reported to play both ways including at first base and as a starting pitcher.

After being selected in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Caglianone played in the fall league, where his numbers were impressive.

There, he played 21 games and batted .236 with five home runs, 21 RBIs and a .749 OPS.

Thompson mentions that the Royals drafted Caglianone to hit, and five home runs through 21 games proved he is capable of doing so.

The Royals will try to make back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2014 and 2015, and Caglianone could make an impact as they try to accomplish that.

The post Analyst Believes Royals Prospect Could Have Impact With Team This Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/analyst...pect-could-have-impact-with-team-this-season/

 

[Kansas City Royals]

Analyst Makes A Big Statement About Bobby Witt Jr.

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Royals were one of three teams out of the American League Central to make the postseason in 2024.

After missing the postseason for the last eight seasons after winning the World Series in 2015, the Royals broke through in 2024.

A key player in the Royals’ 86-win season and playoff berth was their star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

MLB Network’s Analyst Tom Verducci made a big statement about Witt Jr’s 2024 season.

“This is one of the all-time great seasons by a shortstop,” Verducci said.

"This is one of the all-time great seasons by a shortstop."

Bobby Witt Jr. put up historic numbers for the @Royals in 2024 and it landed him on the AL MVP podium!

pic.twitter.com/q5Lpq7rvXv

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 22, 2024

Witt Jr. came into the league with the Royals in 2022 and has improved each season with the team.

In 2024, Witt Jr. played in 161 games and batted .332 with 32 home runs, 109 RBIs, 31 stolen bases, and a .977 OPS.

Verducci pointed out that Witt Jr. won the batting title while having a 30/30 season with 30 plus home runs and 30 plus stolen bases, and he was only the third player to ever do so.

The Royals lost 106 games in 2023, but they were able to turn it around in 2024 and finish with a record of 86 wins and 76 losses.

Witt Jr. had a career-high in games played, runs scored, hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, walks, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS in 2024.

If Witt Jr. can continue to improve his game each season, he could regularly see his name in the Most Valuable Player conversation.

The Royals will look to put together another winning season in 2025 as they look to make the playoffs two years in a row for the first time since 2014 and 2015.

The post Analyst Makes A Big Statement About Bobby Witt Jr. appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/analyst-makes-a-big-statement-about-bobby-witt-jr/

 

[Kansas City Royals]

Ron Darling Names ‘Best All-Around Player In The Game’

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Royals made their first postseason appearance in nine years after posting a regular season record of 86-76.

After making the AL playoffs as a wild-card team, the Royals swept the series with the Baltimore Orioles.

The Royals then fell to the eventual AL champion New York Yankees in the Division Series.

After winning only 56 games in 2023, the Royals drastically improved, and star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. played a large role in that.

One MLB analyst and former World Series champion recently named Witt Jr. as the best player in baseball.

“I don’t know if he has a ceiling, he’s the best all-around player in our game,” Ron Darling said, via MLB Network.

What is Bobby Witt Jr.'s ceiling?

"I don't know if he has a ceiling… he's the best all-around player in our game." – Ron Darling@Royals | @officialBBWAA pic.twitter.com/1JerhFh5Rd

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 15, 2024

Witt debuted with the Royals in 2022 and has improved each season.

This season, Witt played in 161 games and batted .332 with 211 hits, 32 home runs, 109 RBIs, 125 runs scored, 31 stolen bases and a .977 OPS.

Darling points out that Witt improved his defensive game by a large amount, and that was proven by the 24-year-old receiving his first Gold Glove Award.

Although Witt likely won’t win AL MVP over Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, he had one of the best seasons by a shortstop in MLB history.

The Royals have won two World Series championships, with the last coming back in 2015.

Next season, Witt will try to help Kansas City win its first AL Central title since then with eyes on claiming a third World Series crown.

The post Ron Darling Names ‘Best All-Around Player In The Game’ appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/ron-darling-names-best-all-around-player-in-the-game/

 

[Kansas City Royals]

Royals Sign Veteran Pitcher to Three-Year Deal

( Juan DeLeon / Icon Sportswire )

The Kansas City Royals were one of three American League Central teams to make the postseason in 2024 along with the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians.

After pulling off a sweep against the Baltimore Orioles in the wild-card series, the Royals fell to the eventual American League Champion New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.

The Royals made the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2015, and they will look to keep up that momentum in 2025.

With the offseason now underway, the Royals have already signed one of their Veteran pitchers for the next three seasons.

According to MLB on ‘X,’ the Royals signed right-handed pitcher Michael Wacha to a three-year deal with a club option for 2028.

Royals sign RHP Michael Wacha to a three-year deal with a club option for 2028. pic.twitter.com/QwYe24J1yU

— MLB (@MLB) November 3, 2024

Wacha had a solid first season with the Royals as he started 29 games with a record of 13 wins and eight losses and a 3.35 earned run average with 145 strikeouts in 166.2 innings pitched.

The 33-year-old starting pitcher has now played for six different teams with all of them being for only one year except the St. Louis Cardinals where he played seven seasons.

Wacha started two games against the Yankees in the ALDS where he pitched 8.2 innings allowing 10 hits, five earned runs, and four walks while striking out five.

The Royals finished in second place in the AL Central, and they will look to challenge the Guardians for their first AL Central title since 2015 as they prepare for next season.

Although the Royals only have four playoff appearances since 1985, three of them ended with appearances in the World Series.

The post Royals Sign Veteran Pitcher to Three-Year Deal appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/royals-sign-veteran-pitcher-to-three-year-deal/

 

[Kansas City Royals]

Royals Join Elite Club Early In 2024 MLB Season

(Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Royals have been one of, if not the most surprising team in baseball so far this season and currently sit just 1.5 games out of first place in the AL Central with a 30-19 record.

This is beyond just a hot start, as we are now roughly a third of the way through the season, and the Royals are on pace for 99 wins and are already finding themselves in elite company league-wide.

MLB on FOX shared a post on Twitter that detailed the elite company the Royals have already found themselves in, as the Royals are now the fifth team to reach 30 wins this season, joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians, and Philadelphia Phillies.

With tonight's victory, the @Royals become the 5th MLB team to reach the 30 win mark this season

pic.twitter.com/VlRh0oWbCo

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 21, 2024

Prior to the season, no one would have been surprised that those other four squads were among the first five to reach 30 wins, but the Royals lost 106 games last year and had the second-worst record in the league.

Nobody could have seen this coming.

Kansas City is already over halfway to last season’s win total, and a big reason why is the resurgence of franchise favorite Salvador Perez.

Perez posted a .714 OPS last season and was starting to look like his career was on its last legs, but he has exploded out of the gate this year to the tune of a .341 average, nine homers, and 38 RBI.

He also has improved upon his biggest weakness over his career with 14 walks already, which is halfway to his career high of 28.

It has been a thrilling ride for Royals fans so far, and they have been one of the best stories to follow through the season’s first two months.

The post Royals Join Elite Club Early In 2024 MLB Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/royals-join-elite-club-early-in-2024-mlb-season/

 

[Kansas City Royals]

Insider Makes Strong Claim About Salvador Perez

(Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)

Kansas City Royals catcher/first baseman Salvador Perez has had an amazing career.

He won the World Series with the Royals in 2015, and was the MVP of that Fall Classic.

He has gone to eight All-Star Games, won five Gold Gloves, and four Silver Slugger awards.

Perez hit his seventh home run of the season on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and is on a really good pace.

He now has 253 career long balls, and he is at a very good age still.

The whole package of achievements and the fact he is still playing at a high level prompted a famous MLB insider to make a strong claim.

“Salvador Pérez is a future Hall of Famer. He should make his 9th @MLB. All-Star team this year — and he only turns 34 next month,” Jon Morosi tweeted.

Salvador Pérez is a future Hall of Famer.

He should make his 9th @MLB All-Star team this year — and he only turns 34 next month. @MLBNetwork @Royals

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) April 25, 2024

While some people might think it’s a rather bold claim, Perez certainly looks on his way to putting together a strong case for being in Cooperstown one day.

253 home runs for a catcher is a fantastic output, and even though he now plays some first base, he is still primarily a backstop.

He might still need to accumulate some other totals for more serious consideration, though: he has 1,443 hits, so he could use some more to pad his case.

While his .763 OPS for his career is not incredibly high, it’s very solid for a catcher.

Voters will surely have a fun debate on their hands when it’s time for Perez to be eligible for the Hall.

The post Insider Makes Strong Claim About Salvador Perez appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/insider-makes-strong-claim-about-salvador-perez/

 

[Kansas City Royals]

Stat Highlights How Elite The Royals Have Been On Defense

(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

In MLB, useful defensive stats based on range and catch probability are taking over the league and that’s excellent.

They help paint an accurate picture about how good fielders are at making certain high-difficulty plays.

However, there is also value in always making the routine play.

That should be a given for all major leaguers, but you would be surprised at how many players can’t even make routine plays at certain positions.

It’s hard to field capable defensive players on all spots of the diamond, but the Kansas City Royals have done it so far in 2024.

They have done it to such extent that no pitcher on their roster has conceded an unearned run.

“The Royals are the only team in MLB yet to allow an unearned run this season,” MLB Network tweeted.

The Royals are the only team in MLB yet to allow an unearned run this season

pic.twitter.com/I7OhNC4xsx

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 19, 2024

All runs that Royals pitchers allowed to this point have been of the earned variety.

It’s not a perfect defense, but it’s definitely a solid unit featuring some impressive glovesmen like Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Adam Frazier, and many more.

Defense and pitching have definitely been behind the Royals’ improvement in 2024.

They are, to this point, real contenders and their second-ranked pitching staff (by ERA, with a 2.79 mark) has been fueling the surge.

The team made a huge investment in the offseason to bring in quality pitchers like Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Chris Stratton, Will Smith, and Matt Sauer, not to mention hitters like Hunter Renfroe.

The expenditure has helped considerably, turning a perennial loser into the second-best team in the AL Central as of Friday with a 12-7 record.

The post Stat Highlights How Elite The Royals Have Been On Defense appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/stat-highlights-how-elite-the-royals-have-been-on-defense/

 

[Kansas City Royals]

Yost returns to Royals as senior advisor to GM


Source: https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/ned-yost-named-royals-senior-advisor-to-gm

 

[Kansas City Royals]

Stat Proves Bobby Witt Jr. Is Playing At An Elite Level

(Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was instrumental in his team’s sweep of the Houston Astros.

On Thursday, he hit two home runs and drove in five runs to propel the team to a 13-3 win.

We don’t need to tell you Witt is one of the best young players in MLB after he hit 30 home runs and stole 49 bags last year, with a .813 OPS.

We do need to remind you, however, that he might have jumped a tier and joined the elite, at least if we judge his 2024 performance so far.

He is punishing the ball and leading an exciting category.

“Most 110+ mph batted balls, 2024: Bobby Witt Jr.: 9, Juan Soto: 7, Shohei Ohtani: 7, Yordan Alvarez: 5, Miguel Sanó: 5,” MLB stats expert Sarah Langs tweeted.

most 110+ mph batted balls, 2024:

Bobby Witt Jr.: 9
Juan Soto: 7
Shohei Ohtani: 7
Yordan Alvarez: 5
Miguel Sanó: 5

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 11, 2024

If you have played baseball, you know what 80, 95, or 110 mph means.

110 mph is an incredibly high exit velocity, and Witt is making these connections seem like they are routine.

He is really locked in at the plate and, as stated, is showing that he might have another gear in him.

In 13 games so far, he has led the Royals to an amazing 9-4 record and has hit a brilliant .358/.414/.755 line with four home runs, eight RBI, and a 1.169 OPS.

He also has three stolen bases already, although he has been caught three times, too.

The Royals are much improved in comparison to what they showed in 2023, and as long as Witt keeps performing like he has, they have a chance to sneak into the postseason.

The season is very, very long and we have seen teams collapse after great starts time and time again.

Witt, however, seems determined to not let that happen.

The post Stat Proves Bobby Witt Jr. Is Playing At An Elite Level appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/stat-proves-bobby-witt-jr-is-playing-at-an-elite-level/

 

[Kansas City Royals]

Royals Welcome A Legend To The Team’s Hall Of Fame

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The world hasn’t seen another athlete like Bo Jackson.

That’s an unquestioned fact: no one in the history of American professional sports other than Jackson has been an All-Star in at least two of the major leagues.

The Kansas City Royals, the team with which he is most commonly associated when it comes to baseball, are inducting him to their Hall of Fame.

It’s an entirely deserved recognition for someone who did what no one else had (or has) done.

“Bo is headed to the Hall! Congratulations to Bo Jackson on his election to the Royals Hall of Fame!” the Royals tweeted.

Bo is headed to the Hall!

Congratulations to Bo Jackson on his election to the Royals Hall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/Lp2Qn9G8Ek

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) March 13, 2024

Jackson became famous in the eighties and nineties for being strong, fast, and skilled enough to be an outfielder and a running back.

A former Heisman Trophy winner in 1985, Jackson played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Raiders (1987-90) and in MLB for the Royals, the Chicago White Sox, and California Angels.

The owner of impressive raw power and a cannon of an arm, Jackson made sure to showcase those tools on the field.

With the Royals, he played from 1986 to 1990 and accumulated four 20-homer seasons, peaking at 32 in 1989.

He was a member of the 20-20 club back when few players did it, and according to wRC+ (111 for his career) he was an above-average hitter in MLB.

Strikeouts were always part of his game, but he was always a productive hitter and Royals fans in the 80s remember him fondly.

He will now be enshrined with other team legends.

The post Royals Welcome A Legend To The Team’s Hall Of Fame appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/royals-welcome-a-legend-to-the-teams-hall-of-fame/

 

[Kansas City Royals]

Royals Ace Is Full Of Praise For Superstar Teammate

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

It’s amazing how the outlook of a franchise can change in a span of just a couple of years.

That’s why it is of vital importance to excel in every aspect of front office management: scouting talent, drafting, trading, spotting international prospects, signing the right free agents, and developing your own players.

You can say that has happened to the Kansas City Royals.

They drafted star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in 2019 and had him debut in 2022.

They traded for pitcher Cole Ragans, whose career was stagnant in the Texas Rangers, and he turned into an ace in limited time in Kansas City.

Those are just two examples of how the Royals found two legitimate stars.

One is the face of the franchise, and the other is the ace of the staff.

The latter was full of praise about Witt in a recent appearance on Ben Verlander’s podcast.

“‘He’s the perfect guy to build around.’ @Royals SP Cole Ragans had some high praise for his teammate, @BwittJr,” the Flippin’ Bats Podcast tweeted.

"He's the perfect guy to build around."

@Royals SP Cole Ragans had some high praise for his teammate, @BwittJr

Full Interview

https://t.co/zBVSPPY7Xp pic.twitter.com/6XzHm1DEvx

— Flippin' Bats Podcast (@FlippinBatsPod) February 29, 2024

“(Witt) is one of the most special players I’ve seen. He is on every aspect: on the bases, at the batter’s box, and in the field. He puts in the work every day behind the scenes. He is the perfect guy to build around for the future,” Ragans stated.

That’s exactly what the Royals intend to do, signing Witt to an 11-year, $288.7 million deal that could be a bit shorter or even longer depending on certain variables.

Witt just hit 30 home runs and stole 49 bases with a .813 OPS in 2023, while Ragans posted an incredible 2.64 ERA in 71.2 frames after coming over from Texas.

Kansas City hopes to build around those two for a long time.

The post Royals Ace Is Full Of Praise For Superstar Teammate appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/royals-ace-is-full-of-praise-for-superstar-teammate/