Kansas City Royals call up top-5 prospect, and he comes through in first MLB action
Nick Loftin needed a timeout to gather his thoughts. The Kansas City Royals prospect was admittedly nervous as he stepped into the batter’s box for the first time.
“The nerves were really flowing as I was walking up to the plate,” Loftin said. “I was like, take my time here. I usually don’t use my timeout very often. I like to stay locked in pitch-to-pitch in case I need it.”
Loftin took a deep breath. He scanned Kauffman Stadium and realized he was living his big-league dreams.
Then, he got to work.
Loftin went 2 for 3 in his MLB debut against the Boston Red Sox, a 13-2 KC win. In the third inning, Loftin recorded his first career hit. He scorched a double off the left-field wall that drove home teammate Drew Waters.
Several Royals were left impressed. Loftin joked that he would need to hit the weight room with Royals captain Salvador Perez.
“I’m going to have to get in that weight room with Salvy,” Loftin said. “I’ve got a big workout coming soon.”
The Royals promoted Loftin prior to the game. Major League Baseball rosters can expand to 28 players in September. Loftin, who is the Royals’ No. 5 prospect, will get a chance to impress in the final month.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro started Loftin at designated hitter Friday. However, Loftin can play multiple positions in the infield and outfield. His versatility could allow him to see playing time and spell some regulars down the stretch.
“That’s something we’ve talked about,” Quatraro said. “My thought is if it’s somebody like a Nick Loftin you think really highly of, the benefit of getting major-league at-bats and getting acclimated to the day-to-day major league routine outweighs the extra 20 or 30 at-bats he might get in Triple-A.”
Loftin had several family members and friends in attendance. He plans to keep the baseball from his first hit in a special place. He wants to put it next to an autographed baseball from Perez.
He said Perez signed the baseball during spring training. The moment meant a lot back then, and now he is playing alongside him with the Royals.
“When I first got drafted, I was very fortunate to go to big-league camp,” Loftin said. “He was the first person that I saw and I met. He knew me by my first name. I told him that meant a lot to me.”
On Friday, Loftin became the seventh Royal to make his MLB debut this season. He joined Johnny Giavotella as the only Royals to record at least two hits and a walk in their first career game.
“He brought a spark today with getting our offense going,” Royals starter Jordan Lyles said.
Loftin looks forward to what his future holds with the Royals. He has come a long way during his baseball journey and believes the best is yet to come in his career.
For now, he plans to savor the moment of his first MLB game.
“This has got to be No. 1,” Loftin said. “This is what I’ve worked for in my professional career, and this is what I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. I’m very thankful for this opportunity.”
This story was originally published September 2, 2023 at 12:26 AM with the headline "Kansas City Royals call up top-5 prospect, and he comes through in first MLB action."
