Year Two of the Matt Quatraro tenure. Time to take a step up this year. Active in free agency and trades this offseason. A new look pitching rotation and bullpen. Will the young players take the leap up offensively? Bobby Witt extension? New stadium? Will Vinny recover from injury? Salvy taking aim at the Royals record book? Will Cole Ragans turn into the best Royals starting pitcher since Greinke 1.0?
Free Agents/Trades Acquisitions
Seth Lugo, SP
Michael Wacha, SP
Kyle Wright, SP
Hunter Renfroe, OF/DH
Will Smith, RP
Chris Stratton, RP
Nick Anderson, RP
Adam Frazier, 2B
Garrett Hampson, INF/OF
Matt Sauer, RP [Reply]
Originally Posted by lewdog:
I am excited for the second half. We need a few things to fall into place and maybe, just maybe, we can compete until the end of the regular season.
Big opportunity to make some hay over the next couple of weeks with this schedule. Just gotta take care of business. [Reply]
Kansas City Royals
Draft overview: The Royals swung hard here—nearly as hard as their first-rounder Jac Caglianone does. Somewhat surprisingly announced as a two-way player, the high-risk, high-reward Cags was followed by eight straight pitcher selections, led by 17-year-old cold weather high school lefty David Shields. Keep an eye on whether the Royals can sign 14th-rounder Kyle DeGroat, a prep arm filled with tons of upside and projectable traits.
Top draftee’s system fit: Caglianone immediately surpassed Blake Mitchell as the system’s top prospect. [Reply]
Originally Posted by dlphg9:
Caglianone should be a top 50 prospect correct?
He was ranked No. 26 in Baseball Prospectus' Midseason 50.
26. Jac Caglianone, TWP, Kansas City Royals
Why He’ll Succeed: As a hitter, he combines extreme top-end raw power—he hit a 122 mph batted ball this spring, which even with BBCOR bats is incredible—with plus-plus in-zone contact rates. Most players with that type of elite damage/contact ability become stars (there’s a big caveat coming down below). As a pitcher, he throws a mid-90s fastball and a plus change from the left side. He’s a viable prospect on both sides of the ball, even if far better with the bat in his hands.
Why He Might Fail: As a hitter, he recklessly chases at almost everything thrown vaguely in the direction of the strike zone; he’s either going to have to adjust in some form or his hit tool will collapse in pro ball. As a pitcher, his stuff was inconsistent and down in 2024, and we’re actually a little surprised he was announced as a two-way player instead of an outfielder or first baseman only. Also, he’s a pitcher (sometimes). [Reply]