Royals report to spring training this week. Here are three key storylines to follow
The Kansas City Royals enter the 2025 season with raised expectations. On Wednesday, the club will resume baseball activities in Surprise, Arizona, as pitchers and catchers report for spring training.
The Royals finished 86-76 last season and snapped a nine-year postseason drought. The successful campaign included an American League Wild Card series victory over the Baltimore Orioles before KC fell in the ALDS to the New York Yankees.
Now, KC looks to return to the postseason. The club added key pieces — including MLB vets Jonathan India and Carlos Estévez — while retaining right-handed starters Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen with new free-agent deals.
The Royals are primed to contend for the AL Central crown. It’s been nearly a decade since the club has finished atop the divisional standings.
KC begins that quest this week. The first full squad workout is Monday, Feb. 17, and the first spring training game is a few days later. The Royals will face the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Friday, Feb. 21.
Here’s a look at key Royals storylines to follow this spring.
Royals set to experiment with outfield
The Royals had a plan when they acquired Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds. India, 28, was added to solidify the leadoff spot in the starting lineup.
Last season, India hit .248 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs. He added 28 doubles and 13 steals while posting a .357 OBP (on-base percentage). The Royals expect India to be a run creator in front of the star trio of Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez.
India is an everyday player. In his career, he has spent the majority of his time at second base. The Royals also retained infielder Michael Massey at the keystone position after a solid 2024 campaign.
Hence, the Royals have a defensive conundrum. Both India and Massey are willing to play the outfield to help the team. KC will use spring training to give them a chance to learn the corner outfield positions.
India is expected to also play some third base in addition to second. And thus infielder Maikel Garcia will learn center field in the spring.
“That’s going to be our biggest challenge of spring training,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo told The Star. “Jonathan (India) and Michael Massey have both said they are willing to play left field, which is great, but they are both infielders. So we need to see them out there in the outfield and see how they move around. And figure out what is the best combination for us.”
How the Royals configure India and Massey in the outfield will be worth watching.
Royals have multiple options for 5th starter
The Royals have most of their starting rotation in place. The club features four former All-Stars in Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen.
The veteran group is the foundation of the Royals pitching staff. Both Lugo and Ragans finished top-5 in 2024 AL Cy Young voting. The Royals will look to replace right-hander Brady Singer as he was dealt in the India trade.
The Royals have multiple contenders for that spot. There is expected to be a competition between Kris Bubic, Alec Marsh, Daniel Lynch IV, Kyle Wright and Noah Cameron for the role.
Bubic returned from Tommy John surgery last season and was a trusted bullpen option during the Royals’ playoff run. He posted a 2.67 ERA in 27 appearances and will transition back into a starting role in 2025.
Marsh initially won the fifth starter job last season. He finished with a 4.53 ERA in 26 games (25 starts) but spent time in Triple-A Omaha during the year. The Royals rave about Marsh’s pitching arsenal, but he must show more consistency in 2025.
The Royals are expected to bring Wright back slowly this spring. He is returning from a right shoulder injury that cost him the entire 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, Lynch is back as a versatile option and Cameron is an emerging prospect.
Spring training will give the Royals more time to evaluate their pitching depth.
Royals’ top prospects set for spring training debut
The Royals will get a glimpse of their future this spring. Top prospects Jac Caglianone, Blake Mitchell and Carter Jensen will all be in big-league camp.
It will be the first time for both Caglianone and Mitchell. They are ranked among baseball top 50 prospects, per MLB.com. Caglianone is No. 22 and Mitchell is No. 48 in the 2025 rankings.
Jensen is ranked No. 86 on the list.
The trio is expected to get ample learning experience. The Royals will need Mitchell and Jensen as additional catchers for live bullpens during workouts. Caglianone, who was drafted as a two-way player, will operate only as a hitter and get some reps at first base.
“If we really want him to impact the major-league team, we’ve got to simplify things for him,” Picollo said. “To try to pitch and try to hit in your first major-league spring training and your first full season just didn’t make a lot of sense to us. We think a lot about his ability as a pitcher, but we like him as a hitter a lot more.”
Caglianone was drafted sixth overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. He starred at the University of Florida and made strides during the Arizona Fall League. Caglianone hit five home runs and recorded 21 RBIs in 21 games with the Surprise Saguaros.
The Royals also invited pitchers Ben Kurdna, Steven Zobac and outfielder Gavin Cross among others to camp.
This story was originally published February 11, 2025 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Royals report to spring training this week. Here are three key storylines to follow."
