Royals Review - All Posts"A dim view of humanity" -Lee Judgehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29790/royalsreview.gif2024-03-28T18:44:00-04:00http://www.royalsreview.com/rss/current/2024-03-28T18:44:00-04:002024-03-28T18:44:00-04:00Royals offense struggles against Lopez in 4-1 Opening Day loss to Twins
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<img alt="MLB: Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZvJN-vKNokFFvDOsA05m6yWX_aA=/0x0:4088x2725/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73240233/usa_today_22889578.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Positively, Cole Ragans struck out nine, a Royals Opening Day record</p> <p id="8HiLzx">Kansas City’s excitement levels headed into today’s Opening Day festivities were as high as they had been since 2017. The roster featured several newcomers, including much-needed help in the starting rotation and bullpen, as well as the return of Vinnie Pasquantino. </p>
<p id="UxKzsc">Facing a Twins team favored to win a weak AL Central, though, we got a little taste of what we all knew. Minnesota might not be the strongest division favorite, but they are were a division winner last season for a reason. Despite a leadoff homer from Maikel Garcia and an Opening Day record nine strikeouts from Cole Ragans, Kansas City’s offense struggled against Twins starter Jorge Lopez, falling 2-1 on a beautiful Thursday afternoon. </p>
<p id="oFd9RC">The loss marks the 2nd consecutive season that Kansas City’s offense struggled against Lopez on Opening Day, with the offense failing to score a run off the right-hander in last year’s contest. </p>
<p id="kZoIGR">The American League Central rivals exchanged first-inning home runs to get the 2024 season off to a quick start. </p>
<p id="tGeWPf">Ragans started his day off quickly, needing just three pitches to retire Byron Buxton and Ryan Jeffers. He got up 0-2 on Royce Lewis sent a 98 MPH fastball into the fountains in left-center field, giving the Twins an early 1-0 lead. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Royce Lewis with the first Twins HR this year... because of course <a href="https://t.co/QH5ihNkPNk">pic.twitter.com/QH5ihNkPNk</a></p>— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) <a href="https://twitter.com/Twins/status/1773444145887002890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="nkpnz3">Kansas City got the run right back with a leadoff homer from Maikel Garcia, tying the game at 1-1. The homer was just the 5th of Garcia’s career and his 2nd career leadoff homer. </p>
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<p lang="es" dir="ltr">Maikel Garcia, leadoff mash! <a href="https://t.co/Bt9uJ1VeWV">pic.twitter.com/Bt9uJ1VeWV</a></p>— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1773446240790892944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="zGKQG6">Aside from the homer, the Royals struggled against Twins starter Pablo Lopez on Opening Day for the 2nd straight season. Kansas City’s offense wasted a leadoff from MJ Melendez and only managed two further base runners against the Cy Young candidate - a bloop double from Bobby Witt Jr and a swinging bunt from Adam Frazier. </p>
<p id="8EQNCh">Lopez ended his afternoon after giving up just four hits and walking zero Royals across 7.0 innings of work. He needed just 84 pitches and retired the last eight batters he faced. </p>
<p id="4woVcp">Meanwhile, Ragans labored despite looking sharp. After striking out the side in the 2nd, Ragans found trouble in the 3rd via two bloop singles that put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs. Carlos Correa made him pay, doubling down the left-field line to put Minnesota up 2-1. It likely would have been 3-1 had Lewis not come around 2nd base awkwardly, limping to 3rd base and forcing his early exit. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Royce Lewis is hurt, cancel the season <a href="https://t.co/708iBLsAcR">pic.twitter.com/708iBLsAcR</a></p>— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) <a href="https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/1773452542711648337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="KUC9Rk">Following his 3rd inning jam, Ragans mostly cruised the rest of the way. He worked his final three innings cleanly, allowing just two more baserunners, and ending his first Opening Day start with a Royals Opening Day record nine strikeouts. Ragans gave up five hits and walked two Twins in 6.0 innings, showing the electric stuff fans became accustomed to last summer.</p>
<p id="cuUSTj">After a clean 7th from Nick Anderson, Angel Zerpa found himself in some 8th inning trouble, surrendering back-to-back singles to open the frame. However, Zerpa got out of the jam with two backward strikeouts to prevent any insurance for Minnesota.</p>
<p id="rfIxvK">Chris Stratton wasn’t as lucky in the 9th. A single, walk, and groundout put runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Stratton got down 3-1 to Edouard Julien before a bizarre wild pitch bounced off home plate umpire Laz Diaz and allowed a run to score, giving Minnesota a 3-1 lead. It sounded as though the pitch hit Julien, but the sound came from the ball hitting Diaz. Correa followed with an infield single to bring in another run, giving the Twins a 4-1 lead.</p>
<p id="BZU3FM">Griffin Jax shut Kansas City down in the 9th to complete the loss.</p>
<p id="NjCS1q"><em>Up Next: </em>Royals v. Twins, Saturday, March 30, 3:10 PM CDT, Kauffman Stadium. RHP Seth Lugo (0-0, -.— ERA) v. RHP Joe Ryan (0-0, -.— ERA)</p>
https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/28/24114823/royals-offense-struggles-against-lopez-in-4-1-opening-day-loss-to-twinsRyan Heffernon2024-03-28T15:30:00-04:002024-03-28T15:30:00-04:00Opening Day: Royals v. Twins
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<img alt="Pittsburgh Pirates v Kansas City Royals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xcBCXKS36YGvr_8Cfc2SpSJanvE=/0x0:5260x3507/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73239722/1647364701.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cole Ragans gets his first Opening Day start</p> <p id="OPgvdg">2023 was miserable for Royals fans. Sandwiched between back-to-back championships across the parking lot, the other tenant of Truman Sports Complex lost 106 games, tying a franchise record. It was the third 100-loss season in five seasons, not including 2020. </p>
<p id="I1FiY0">General Manager J.J. Picollo responded by being <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/1/13/24031464/a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-royals-free-agent-acquisitions">as active as a Royals GM has ever been in free agency</a>, adding Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, and Hunter Renfroe along with overhauling a miserable bullpen. He spent over $110 million, Kansas City’s most since 2016, and the payroll is up $25 million in 2024. Still, outside onlookers view the Royals as <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5365090%2F2024%2F03%2F25%2Fmlb-offseason-grades-2024-season%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalsreview.com%2F2024%2F3%2F28%2F24113551%2Fopening-day-royals-v-twins" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a still-rebuilding team</a>, and it’s hard to blame them. </p>
<p id="qsuKCm">The core is exciting. It has a budding superstar with upside Kansas City hasn’t seen since George Brett in Bobby Witt Jr. That statement isn’t all that hyperbolic, either. It has a diamond-in-the-rough ace in Cole Ragans who not only looks to be Picollo’s biggest slam dunk to date but is <a href="https://www.vegasinsider.com/mlb/odds/cy-young/">getting some action as an AL Cy Young candidate</a>. And it has Vinnie Pasquantino, a high-floor hitter with an upside to be one of the better Royals’ hitters of the 21st century, an admittedly low bar to clear. </p>
<p id="gogjCt">Still, the rest of the core – Maikel Garcia, MJ Melendez, Michael Massey, Nelson Velasquez, Nick Pratto (eventually), and an aging Salvador Perez – doesn’t look ready to win. That may be true, but like it or not, Kansas City is trying to win games this year, and their active offseason brought expectations with it. </p>
<p id="PQGMiY">They are reasonable expectations, sure, but Fangraphs projected standings for 2024 have the Royals <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Standings">as a 76-win team</a>. Vegas has Kansas City’s over/under set at 73.5. Nothing suggests the Royals could compete in an underwhelming AL Central, but even an underperforming 70-win season would be a 14-win improvement. Kansas City hasn’t seen a change in wins that dramatic since 2013. </p>
<p id="v57N53">The Royals may just be the odds-on favorite to be Major League Baseball’s most improved team, and that’s not just fanspeak. When asked which team is poised to surprise people in 2024, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/news/mlb-players-name-the-most-surprising-team-of-2024?sf99958333=1">the Royals were the most popular answer among MLB players</a>. MLB.com writers included Kansas City <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-teams-set-to-make-biggest-improvement-in-2024">among its seven most likely teams</a> to see their win totals jump by double digits. </p>
<p id="fFMlrW">The Royals still look far from a legitimate competitor, but they should be a much better team in 2024 than in 2023. And in a weak division, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that this team plays meaningful games in September. Vinnie Pasquantino <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/vinnie-pasquantino-seeks-2024-bounce-back">is back after missing most of last season</a> with a torn right labrum. Bobby Witt Jr <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/2/9/24063714/a-deeper-dive-into-bobby-witt-jr-s-shiny-new-contract#:~:text=The%20extension%20pushes%20significantly%20more,have%20likely%20earned%20in%20arbitration.">signed a monster 11-year extension</a> in the offseason. </p>
<p id="oMODzM">Opening Day is more exciting than it has been since 2017. And while much of that revolves around guys like Vinnie or Bobby or the active offseason, a surprising source of excitement is today’s starting pitcher. </p>
<p id="7c72ST">Kansas City’s road to an improved pitching staff actually started last summer, when Picollo dealt Aroldis Chapman to the Rangers for the oft-injured Cole Ragans. The 26-year-old had made nine starts for Texas in two seasons, posting an ERA of 5.32 in 26 appearances. In 2022, his average fastball sat at a tick over 92 MPH. With the Royals, that number jumped to 96.7 MPH after sitting at 96.3 with the Rangers, tied for second among all left-handed starters. </p>
<p id="lgudgZ">Among 175 pitchers that threw at least 300 four-seamers in 2022-23, nobody had a bigger jump than Ragans’ 4.4 MPH improvement. In fact, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/how-cole-ragans-became-budding-ace-for-royals">he nearly doubled</a> his teammate Carlos Hernandez’s 2.3 MPH improvement, the next closest jump. Ragans has had two Tommy John surgeries, so health will be a concern. But he currently has the 8th-best American League Cy Young odds, an outcome even the most optimistic onlooker could not have envisioned. </p>
<p id="IbeGPr">He’ll have his hands full, not just with the Twins offense, but the opposing starter. Pablo Lopez gets his second consecutive Opening Day start and is arguably the favorite to win the AL Cy Young along with Corbin Burnes. </p>
<p id="mZ0kO9">Kansas City opens with a roster that <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/22/24109046/nick-pratto-drew-waters-austin-nola-assigned-to-minors">doesn’t include Nick Pratto or Drew Waters</a>. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our 26 to open up '24. <a href="https://t.co/VubuDnGc2g">pic.twitter.com/VubuDnGc2g</a></p>— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1773359664664551909?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="kI3hIo">It also includes Nick Loftin thanks to Michael Massey’s lower back strain. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We have made the following roster moves: <a href="https://t.co/AdxHuf84sI">pic.twitter.com/AdxHuf84sI</a></p>— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1773371212053311940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="ft6fof">The lineups are in and there aren’t many surprises on the Royals side, minus Massey’s absence. Maikel Garcia is back in the leadoff spot after taking 72 of his 114 starts at leadoff last season. Vinnie is finally back from his shoulder injury and The Captain hits cleanup. Hunter Renfroe and Adam Frazier make their Royals debuts as well. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cole Ragans heads to the mound to start our 2024 campaign! <a href="https://t.co/uZaJ0FnPb2">pic.twitter.com/uZaJ0FnPb2</a></p>— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1773366666799321423?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="txo9IF">On the other side, Minnesota returns much of its 2023 AL Central champion lineup, with old friend Carlos Santana being the only significant change starting at first base. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lineup is set! Baseball <a href="https://t.co/dC8bgKpP8B">pic.twitter.com/dC8bgKpP8B</a></p>— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) <a href="https://twitter.com/Twins/status/1773366562738544802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="pEl7GJ">Here is everything else you need to complete your Opening Day experience.</p>
<ul>
<li id="CGROIB">
<a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/26/24112482/royals-workout-opening-day-gates-times-bobblehead">What to know about 2024 Royals Opening Day</a> by Max Rieper</li>
<li id="Xl3vLS">
<a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/28/24114186/royals-rundown-opening-day-extravaganza-with-max-rieper">Royals Rundown: Opening Day Extravaganza, with Max Rieper</a> by Jacob-Milham</li>
<li id="mxsAu9">
<a href="https://royalsreview.com/2024/3/28/24113736/royals-review-roundtable-the-2024-season">Royals Review Roundtable: The 2024 Season</a> featuring Rieper, Jacob-Milham, Matthew LaMar, and Jeremy Greco</li>
<li id="TeVoOh">
<a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/27/24110801/2024-royals-season-preview-its-time-to-win">2024 Royals Season Preview: It’s time to win</a> by Rieper</li>
<li id="NeMGsy">
<a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/22/24108677/royals-television-tv-streaming-bally-amazon">How to watch the royals on TV and streaming in 2024</a> by Rieper</li>
</ul>
<p id="ICn8ec">Happy Opening Day!</p>
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https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/28/24113551/opening-day-royals-v-twinsRyan Heffernon2024-03-28T14:00:00-04:002024-03-28T14:00:00-04:00Twins series preview: Let’s get it started
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<img alt="Minnesota Twins v. Kansas City Royals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/slkDDSmFjGpBpG7UgQSLVIdNX9g=/0x0:4902x3268/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73239439/1255324944.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by LG Patterson/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The road to a Central Division title goes through the Twins.</p> <p id="V6LCXS">The Twins are the defending Central Division title champs and the <a href="https://www.mlb.com/stories/american-league-central-division-winner-odds-2024">odds-on favorite to win </a>this year, but as of today they are tied with the Royals with a 0-0 record. The Twins won 87 games and their first post-season series in over 30 years last year, but made no significant upgrades to the club other than adding former Royals first baseman Carlos Santana. instead, they will rely on improvement from young players like Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien, and Matt Wallner, with hopes Byron Buxton and their pitching staff can stay healthy.</p>
<p id="5ogW21">The Twins took 9 of 13 contests from the Royals last year, and swept the Royals in Kansas City for the first series of the year.</p>
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<p id="4BdD6X"><em>All statistics are 2023 numbers.</em></p>
<p id="q3kkI3"><strong>Minnesota Twins (87-75) vs. Kansas City Royals (56-106) at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO</strong></p>
<p id="unaWsR">Twins: 4.80 runs scored/game (10thin MLB), 4.07 runs allowed/game (4th) </p>
<p id="rsXVsx">Royals: 4.17 runs scored/game (23rd in MLB), 5.30 runs allowed/game (28th) </p>
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<p id="j6RbZu">The Twins relied on the long ball a lot last year, finishing third in home runs with 12 different players ending with a double-digit home run total. They got solid rookie performances from infielders Julien and Lewis, which helped make up for the disappointing season from high-priced veteran Carlos Correa. </p>
<p id="Xk5od6">Matt Wallner also played well in his rookie season, overshadowing Byron Buxton who still hasn’t appeared in 100 games in a season since 2017. The Twins drew the fourth-most walks and no one struck out more than Twins hitters. Only four teams attempted fewer steals than the Twins, with reserve infielder Willi Castro the only player with more than 13 steals last year.</p>
<p id="TV0x0f"><em>All statistics are 2023 numbers.</em></p>
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<p id="0dGHXR">The Twins had the fifth-best ERA in baseball last year, with the most strikeouts and fourth-fewest walks. Sonny Gray departed for St. Louis, so Pablo López takes over as staff as with the Opening Day assignment. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in four starts against the Royals, throwing 5 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings of shutout ball in his only start at Kauffman Stadium. He throws a fastball in the mid-90s, but is in the 95th percentile for chase rate, and was <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2023&month=0&season1=2023&ind=0&sortcol=8&sortdir=default&team=0&pagenum=1">seventh among all qualified starters</a> in strikeout rate last year.</p>
<p id="z4nM5Y">Joe Ryan got off to a great start and had his ERA under three in late June, but had a terrible second half with a 6.62 ERA over his last 14 starts. He has won all three of his career starts against the Royals with a 1.02 ERA. He throws a four-seamer, splitter, and sweeper, and has been <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/joe-ryan-tinkering-with-new-pitch-for-2024">working on a sinker this spring</a>. He had the <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&type=8&season=2023&month=0&season1=2023&ind=0&sortcol=9&sortdir=asc&team=0&qual=160">eighth-lowest walk rate</a> of any pitcher with at least 160 innings.</p>
<p id="flrg91">Bailey Ober, along with López and Ryan, were among the <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&type=1&season=2023&month=0&season1=2023&ind=0&team=0&sortcol=8&sortdir=default&qual=140&pagenum=1">top 15 pitchers in baseball in strikeout-to-walk ratio</a>. He only throws in the low-90s, although there were some<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/spring-training-velocity-readings-why-bailey-ober-has-earned-high-praise-from-bryce-harper-and-more/#:~:text=He%20earned%20high%20praise%20from,in%2010%20innings%20this%20spring."> reports of a velocity uptick this spring</a>. He still misses bats by getting a 30 percent whiff rate on both his changeup and slider. </p>
<p id="tE8kkE"><em>All statistics are 2023 numbers.</em></p>
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<p id="UXkwQu">The Twins bullpen has taken a hit from the injury bug with closer Jhoan Duran, newly-acquired reliever Justin Topa, and lefty reliever Caleb Thielbar all on the Injured List to begin the year. Hard-throwing Griffin Jax will likely get save opportunities initially with his wipeout slider. The rest of the bullpen includes a lot of unknowns - lefty Steven Okert is the only other reliever who pitched in at least 35 innings last year. Brock Stewart was fantastic when healthy last year, but missed most of the second half with an elbow injury. Former Royals pitcher Josh Staumont is coming back from thoracic outlet surgery, and was held off the roster to begin the year due to injury.</p>
<p id="aNcJWq"><em>All statistics are 2023 numbers.</em></p>
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<p id="9sT6Eo">The Royals will face two 2023 division winners - the Twins and Orioles - to begin the first week of the season, giving them a good test early on. If the Royals want to be the best in this division, they have to beat the best. </p>
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https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/28/24113487/twins-series-preview-lets-get-it-startedMax Rieper2024-03-28T13:08:02-04:002024-03-28T13:08:02-04:00Storm Chasers release Opening Day roster
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<img alt="MiLB: JUL 28 Omaha Storm Chasers at Toledo Mud Hens" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yB_z_2AXYrTaPy15CBc7_wbuDYQ=/0x0:5176x3451/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73239276/1234300825.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The first game of the season is Friday, March 29</p> <p id="L2NJhJ">With the start of the Major League season, much of the attention on Thursday will surround the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a>. They’ll take on the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium this afternoon behind pitcher Cole Ragans. Beyond Kansas City, this week also marks the start of the 2024 Triple-A season. The Omaha Storm Chasers will kick off their 2024 season on Friday, March 29 against the Iowa Cubs at Werner Park. On Thursday, the team released their official Opening Day roster:</p>
<p id="VsH9GH">Catchers (2): Austin Nola, Logan Porter</p>
<p id="1X2Tmt">Infielders (7): CJ Alexander, Mike Brosseau, Cam Devanney, Ryan Fitzgerald, Devin Mann, Nick Pratto, Tyler Tolbert</p>
<p id="8tSCId">Outfielders (4): Nate Eaton, Tyler Gentry, John Rave, Drew Waters</p>
<p id="8zvOaT">Starting Pitchers (5): Jonathan Bowlan, Andrew Hoffmann, Daniel Lynch IV, Anthony Veneziano, Luis Cessa</p>
<p id="G1R2dJ">Relief Pitchers (10): Dan Altavilla, Steven Cruz, Jonah Dipoto, Tyler Duffey, Will Klein, Sam Long, John McMillon, Walter Pennington, Evan Sisk, Jacob Wallace</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Meet your 2024 Omaha Storm Chasers!<br><br> : <a href="https://t.co/WtSb6H7yBK">https://t.co/WtSb6H7yBK</a> <a href="https://t.co/ne6vB7fEcj">pic.twitter.com/ne6vB7fEcj</a></p>— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) <a href="https://twitter.com/OMAStormChasers/status/1773379753254261032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="q1L4L3">Triple-A roster restrictions allow for 28 players, compared to the 26-man rosters that MLB teams are allowed. There are no years of service limitations that High-A and Low-A affiliates have. </p>
<p id="9yP4N7">The roster isn’t much of a surprise, with familiar names such as John McMillon, Daniel Lynch IV, and Nick Pratto. McMillon will get a chance to continue ramping up to make his way back to Kansas City. Lynch will likely be the team’s Opening Day starter on Friday night after missing out on an MLB roster spot earlier this spring. The fifth spot in the Storm Chasers rotation is somewhat up in the air, as the team only has four “true” starters in the mix. Luis Cessa has a track record as a starter and will likely fill that role for now.</p>
<p id="xnl3v7">Notable prospects starting the season for Omaha include the aforementioned McMillon as well as Will Klein, Andrew Hoffmann, Anthony Veneziano, Tyler Gentry, and Tyler Tolbert. Jonathan Bowlan will be a familiar name for Royals fans as well. He was once a promising young prospect — including <a href="https://www.milb.com/news/jonathan-bowlan-goes-distance-in-blue-rocks-no-hitter-309109082">a no-hitter for the Wilmington Blue Rocks</a> — but has struggled to get back to form after Tommy John Surgery in 2021. McMillon and Klein have a strong case to be the first relievers called up to Kansas City this season. Gentry will hope to avoid the slow start that plagued him last season as he continues to make his case for a corner outfield role with the Royals.</p>
https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/28/24114713/storm-chasers-release-opening-day-rosterPrestonFarr2024-03-28T11:27:16-04:002024-03-28T11:27:16-04:00Royals release Opening Day lineup
<figure>
<img alt="Minnesota Twins v. Kansas City Royals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7E-729nyfEAXbnGR60TmkqEy7LA=/0x0:5787x3858/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238941/1258338978.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>It’s Opening Day! | Photo by LG Patterson/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This is the team that will lead us to 162-0!</p> <p id="nLr1bO">The Royals have released their lineup for Opening Day today. Let me get my glasses out and see what it says:</p>
<p id="nIyHWK">2B Sax</p>
<p id="eBo19C">3B Boggs</p>
<p id="S9biaq">RF Strawberry...</p>
<p id="laiAVn">Oops, my bad. <a href="http://www.simpsonsarchive.com/episodes/8F13.html">Wrong lineup</a>.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="zbQ8x1">
<p id="EoBvX7">Here it is.</p>
<div id="R1GWvX">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cole Ragans heads to the mound to start our 2024 campaign! <a href="https://t.co/uZaJ0FnPb2">pic.twitter.com/uZaJ0FnPb2</a></p>— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1773366666799321423?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="YFUl9A"></p>
<p id="oEvCMW">For those who can’t see the embed:</p>
<p id="s1IIAm"><strong>3B </strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=672580"><strong>Maikel Garcia</strong></a></p>
<p id="OJ7UEz"><strong>SS </strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=677951"><strong>Bobby Witt Jr.</strong></a></p>
<p id="OIkRUK"><strong>1B </strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=686469"><strong>Vinnie Pasquantino</strong></a></p>
<p id="EwroS7"><strong>C </strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=521692"><strong>Salvador Pérez</strong></a></p>
<p id="YJ7OuI"><strong>LF </strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=669004"><strong>MJ Melendez</strong></a></p>
<p id="bJh0jm"><strong>RF </strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=592669"><strong>Hunter Renfroe</strong></a></p>
<p id="Iln08b"><strong>2B </strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=624428"><strong>Adam Frazier</strong></a></p>
<p id="hBbtD6"><strong>DH </strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=676369"><strong>Nelson Velázquez</strong></a></p>
<p id="mlpkjA"><strong>CF </strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=664728"><strong>Kyle Isbel</strong></a></p>
<p id="algO7U">.</p>
<p id="Ms8DGY"><strong>P </strong><a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/redirect.fcgi?player=1&mlb_ID=666142"><strong>Cole Ragans</strong></a></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="XEHvEE">
<p id="eCE5Vy">Some interesting choices there once we get past the middle of the lineup. What say you, Royals fans?</p>
<p id="0gR5Wi"></p>
<p id="kAMxN4"></p>
https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/28/24114599/royals-release-opening-day-lineupsterlingice2024-03-28T10:21:43-04:002024-03-28T10:21:43-04:00Royals Rundown: Opening Day Extravaganza, with Max Rieper!
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5WSgjc_AtYgzOxoyExQAEJDQlNA=/0x376:3200x2509/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238752/RoyalsRundownFinal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>All this to answer one question: how will the Royals do in 2024?</p> <p id="HzQSxq">Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco have a packed lineup for you today! Royals Review editor Max Rieper joins the duo for the full episode, plus hear from Royals Review writers, Farm to Fountains writers, and Jack Johnson of Locked on Royals for their 2024 outlook! All these people to answer one question: how will the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> perform in 2024?</p>
<div id="P1q594"><iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/show/2lnvHFKJHYUflTZbSW382Q?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>
<p id="nlrcBe">You can follow the team on X with Jeremy Greco at <a href="https://twitter.com/hokius">@hokius</a>, Jacob Milham at @JacobMilhamKC, and Greg Walker at <a href="https://twitter.com/Gregnotcreg">@Gregnotcreg</a>. Follow the podcast itself on X at <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalRundownPod">@RoyalRundownPod</a>.</p>
<p id="D7lKl5">The podcast is now on TikTok! Find breaking news and highlights <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@royalrundownpod?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">there at @RoyalRundownPod</a>.</p>
https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/28/24114186/royals-rundown-opening-day-extravaganza-with-max-rieperJacob-Milham2024-03-28T10:00:00-04:002024-03-28T10:00:00-04:00Royals Review Roundtable: The 2024 season
<figure>
<img alt="Kansas City Royals v Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EPCVHjwrHqo0vHr3au9_otoZVfg=/0x0:7319x4879/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238695/1415899759.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Our writers discuss the off-season and expectations for this year.</p> <p id="uLyGH5">After one of the busier off-seasons in recent Royals history, the 2024 regular season is finally here! The Royals <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5141385%2F2023%2F12%2F15%2Froyals-free-agency-rosenthal%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalsreview.com%2F2024%2F3%2F28%2F24113736%2Froyals-review-roundtable-the-2024-season" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">spent over $100 million on free agents</a>, adding infielder Adam Frazier and Garrett Hampson, outfielder Hunter Renfroe, starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha, and relievers Will Smith and Chris Stratton, as well as trading for relievers Nick Anderson and John Schreiber. But all that was overshadowed by a <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/2/5/24062390/royals-sign-bobby-witt-jr-to-an-11-year-deal">long-term deal for star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr</a>., giving Royals fans hope this team could be turning a corner.</p>
<p id="4wGUo8">We brought our writers together to get their thoughts on the team on the eve of the season. </p>
<p id="4oLuny"><em>The Royals spent a lot of money this off-season, was it well spent?</em></p>
<p id="RvE0aM"><strong>Jacob Milham:</strong> This answer may not age well, but I think the money was spent very deliberately and well. The 2023 roster had holes in every facet and the Royals attacked the problem with several quality signings, rather than just one or two splashy ones. Will the position players signed pan out? I think that is the better question.</p>
<p id="no74G2"><strong>Max Rieper:</strong> I think you could quibble with which starting pitchers they should have signed with the benefit of hindsight, but Lugo and Wacha are solid pitchers by most metrics with few red flags. I wouldn’t have brought in Frazier and Hampson, but I get their concerns about depth. The Renfroe signing is still a bit of a head-scratcher, especially with Tommy Pham - a player who gets on base and has the kind of red-ass a young team might need - still sitting at home. But overall the pitching upgrades were a huge net benefit that really raise the floor for this team.</p>
<p id="NWnjdR"><strong>Matthew LaMar</strong>: I do wish the Royals would have made <em>one</em> more free agent signing, specifically Marcus Stroman. But the Royals went out and actually spent the free agent money they had, so the answer to the question is—yes! You can’t forget the Bobby Witt Jr. extension, too.</p>
<p id="athao7"><strong>Hokius</strong>: I really like all the pitchers they brought in at the prices they spent, but the position players, other than Hampson, make me scratch my head. I really thought they could have used at least one true upgrade instead of veteran safety nets. So...call it a C?</p>
<p id="ShxnnG"><em>Who do the Royals need to have a breakout season from the most?</em></p>
<p id="ZfzRzz"><strong>Matthew LaMar:</strong> The Royals need a third position player anchor. I am fairly certain that Witt and Vinnie Pasquantino are going to be very good. MJ Melendez or Maikel Garcia are the most likely options, but they desperately need a third good position player, somebody who can carry the offense when needed and contribute defensively.</p>
<p id="h0rHra"><strong>Hokius:</strong> MJ Melendez, Michael Massey, or Maikel Garcia need to have a much better season than last year if the Royals hope to compete even in the awful AL Central. It honestly might take two of them.</p>
<p id="tjuYIk"><strong>Max Rieper:</strong> I think the offense will likely be below league-average any way you slice it, but the pitching could be quite good if Brady Singer rebounds to his 2022 form. I’m hoping his awful season last year is attributable to the time he missed in spring training due to the World Baseball Classic, or perhaps some adjustments he failed to make that he has ironed out this year. But he not only has tremendous potential, we’ve seen him actually pitch well in a full season. </p>
<p id="ebwbl7"><strong>Jacob Milham: </strong>The Royals NEED Michael Massey to break out in a big way. I think Kansas City hesitated on trading away other middle infield prospects because of Massey’s so-so 2023 campaign. Adding Adam Frazier to the fold cast further doubt on Massey’s organizational standing. The team signaled their confidence in Massey this offseason, but he has a short leash. The only thing that will give him more leeway is producing in a big way at the plate.</p>
<p id="cbxo2t"><em>What makes you nervous about this team?</em></p>
<p id="EV4msr"><strong>Hokius: </strong>The depth. The bullpen depth is pretty promising, but they’ve got no one I feel great about starting a game who isn’t already in the rotation other than the injured Kris Bubic and that lineup is already thin (barring at least one breakout performance) even before injuries start affecting it.</p>
<p id="3PhfZg"><strong>Jacob Milham: </strong>The bullpen’s age gives me some concern. Injuries are impossible to avoid, but the bullpen lacks a workhorse right now. James McArthur could become the guy, but relying on a mix of Chris Stratton, Will Smith, and Nick Anderson isn’t sustainable.</p>
<p id="STf1K9"><strong>Max Rieper:</strong> They have a few guys that show an ability to draw walks - Vinnie, Maikel Garcia, MJ Melendez to an extent. But this is still a team that will likely finish near the bottom of the league in walk rate and on-base percentage with more than a few guys likely to post an OBA around .300. So there will be offensive droughts to be sure.</p>
<p id="61QJcc"><strong>Matthew LaMar: </strong>Nothing makes me nervous about this team, to be perfectly honest. They’re not good enough for me to be nervous about anything specific, and with the draft lottery how it is they could be merely bad and still nab a top pick in the draft. What makes me nervous about the organization as a whole is the farm system, which stinks right now.</p>
<p id="GPYOVg"><em>Give us one bold prediction about this team.</em></p>
<p id="h7yjz9"><strong>Matthew LaMar: </strong>The rotation becomes one of the best in the American League, not necessarily because they have a big ceiling but because they don’t have any major weak points and can reliably churn out a large portion of decent innings no matter who’s pitching. This necessitates Brady Singer bouncing back and one of Alec Marsh/Daniel Lynch managing to hold down the fifth spot in the rotation.</p>
<p id="e5EzbA"><strong>Hokius</strong>: They’ll still be within a competitive distance of the division leader at the All-Star Break.</p>
<p id="RsmPTi"><strong>Max Rieper: </strong>The farm system takes a big jump up in organizational rankings, with Gavin Cross, Blake Mitchell, and Trevor Werner all on mid-season top 100 prospect lists. </p>
<p id="tLwkca"><strong>Jacob Milham: </strong>Angel Zerpa will push his way into the rotation by season’s end. I constantly overlooked Zerpa last season, but he is still young and showed promise this spring. He may not have elite stuff, but pitching to contact works in Kauffman Stadium. If Jordan Lyles falls out completely or Kris Bubic is delayed, Zerpa makes sense.</p>
<p id="WyYc4l"><em>How many games do the Royals win and where do they place in the division?</em></p>
<p id="jinNgJ"><strong>Max Rieper</strong>: 75 wins, third in the division but within a game or two of second-place Cleveland and fourth-place Detroit.</p>
<p id="SwQBcV"><strong>Jacob Milham: </strong>I predict a 20-game improvement from Kansas City. 76 wins will not be enough to win the division, but shows the progress this fanbase desperately needs. But, those wins will be enough for a third-place finish in the AL Central.</p>
<p id="Qj9Zo0"><strong>Hokius</strong>: 84. Second.</p>
<p id="E4umXD"><strong>Matthew LaMar:</strong> Third place, 74 wins. Could they win more? Yes, of course. I wouldn’t be surprised if they won anything up to 84 games. But they have to prove it, and they were so incredibly bad last year that they can improve by a huge amount and still be incredibly bad. So 74 wins it is.</p>
https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/28/24113736/royals-review-roundtable-the-2024-seasonMax RieperJacob-MilhamMatthew LaMarJeremy Greco2024-03-28T09:30:00-04:002024-03-28T09:30:00-04:00Welcome to Royals Review in 2024!
<figure>
<img alt="Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals advances to second base in the sixth inning during a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Surprise Stadium on March 05, 2024 in Surprise, Arizona." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/issi0zEl2J142pi_slhWXcU0yn4=/0x0:5725x3817/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238579/2062123762.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals advances to second base in the sixth inning during a spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Surprise Stadium on March 05, 2024 in Surprise, Arizona. | Photo by Aaron Doster/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Hello, welcome! We hope you stay.</p> <p id="9Ty2fa">Hello there, you. Yes, you, the reader! My name is Matthew LaMar; I’m a writer and editor for this here website, and I’m pleased to welcome you to Royals Review, a website by Kansas City Royals fans for Kansas City Royals fans. </p>
<p id="U2Vl0a">There’s a lot of stuff happening in the Royals baseball world right now. The 2024 season is kicking off, Bobby Witt Jr. just signed the biggest contract in the team’s history earlier this year, and there’s a lot of downtown stadium talk. So whether you’re a first-time Royals Review reader or a longtime power user, welcome. We’re glad you’re here. </p>
<h2 id="1bZfKM">What is Royals Review?</h2>
<p id="URJ0ca">Royals Review is the largest independent Royals site on the internet. We get millions of pageviews every year and cover the Royals both during the summer and in the offseason. You’ll find everything from in-depth analyses, editorials and reactions, news articles, some in-depth journalistic pieces, and even a little humor and satire as a treat. </p>
<p id="eqwAmR">What’s special about Royals Review? Well, I like to think that we put out a lot of quality content, but one of the biggest differentiators here is <em>you</em>, the reader. We’re part of the SB Nation family of blogs, alongside our sister blog, Arrowhead Pride, which covers the Kansas City Chiefs. We share a commenting system called Chorus, which operates much like an old-school message board system. At the bottom of every article, you’ll find a robust commenting community who will argue about the minutia of fWAR vs bWAR and whether or not bone density can affect injury rate. </p>
<h2 id="tY9Oyq">Where else can you find Royals Review content?</h2>
<p id="hP9Y2O">We’re active on a variety of social media spaces. </p>
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<p id="T1g3zt">You can also head to our <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/masthead">masthead</a>, where you’ll find social media links to follow the thoughts of the likes of myself, our other writers, and our editor in chief, Max Rieper. </p>
<h2 id="Mg7ZWm">What do I need to know about commenting?</h2>
<p id="LvCvL2">SB Nation has robust <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/pages/community-guidelines">community guidelines</a> to follow. The short version is as follows:</p>
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<h2 id="MHqwFz">Any last thoughts?</h2>
<p id="yRwaTD">Nope. Let’s go Royals!</p>
https://www.royalsreview.com/2024/3/28/24114263/welcome-to-royals-review-in-2024Matthew LaMar