New faces, same goal as KC Royals open spring training in search of AL supremacy
Kansas City Royals prospect Ben Kudrna can still smell the fresh barbecue sizzling on the grill outside of Kauffman Stadium.
It’s an experience one never forgets.
A pitcher, Kudrna actually prefers chicken tenders, but he admits he very much enjoyed the signature aroma at The K. Barbecue holds a special place in the heart of this Overland Park, Kansas native.
At a young age, Kudrna would tailgate with his family at Kauffman Stadium before Royals games. He has many pictures of himself — images stretching across decades — wearing royal blue.
The Royals winning the 2015 World Series championship — and being selected by his childhood team in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft — are among his most cherished memories.
“I’ve got pictures from when I was 3 in my Royals backpack,” Kudrna said. “It’s kind of been a lifelong thing for me.”
Kudrna added another special experience on Wednesday: He completed his first day in the Royals’ big-league camp. A right-hander, Kudrna threw a bullpen session as the club’s pitchers and catchers held their first official spring training workout in temperatures that hovered in the lower 60s.
Kudrna, a former standout at Blue Valley Southwest High School, this week joined other Royals veterans at the club’s spring training complex. He will get a chance to learn alongside major-league All-Stars Seth Lugo and Salvador Perez and others this spring.
“Obviously for me, being from Kansas City born and raised, I grew up watching him (Perez) as one of my childhood heroes,” Kudrna said. “It was probably one of the coolest moments of my life just getting to introduce myself as a teammate now rather than a fan watching him.”
Kudrna is one of a few first-time attendees at KC’s big-league camp. He is joined by fellow top prospects Jac Caglianone (pitcher/first baseman) and Blake Mitchell (a catcher), among others.
The Royals also have their share of more veteran players, of course. Perez, 34, enters another spring eager to hit the field. He’ll again catch, play first base and serve as a designated hitter, depending on matchups.
After helping the Royals return to the playoffs last season for the first time since 2015 — only to fall short in the American League Divisional Series against the New York Yankees — Perez wants to bring another championship to Kansas City.
“Win everything,” the 2015 World Series MVP said when asked his goals for the coming MLB season. “The same answer that I always have: being a big-league team, you want to win a World Series championship. I think that is the goal and I think each team should think that way.”
The Royals return a strong starting rotation. Right-handed pitcher Lugo and left-hander Cole Ragans were among the American League’s top pitchers last season. They finished second and fourth, respectively, in voting for the AL Cy Young Award.
The Royals this season re-signed veteran pitchers Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen to reprise their roles from 2024. They will operate as KC’s Nos. 3 and 4 starters in the rotation to begin the year.
Several other pitchers will compete for the fifth-starter spot; they’ll be evaluated throughout the spring.
The Royals believe their additional depth of starting pitching should help when injuries arise.
“We have some really good pitchers in camp and they are good at their jobs,” pitching coach Brian Sweeney said. “We are just going to let them go and compete. You know, let those guys go out there and do their thing.
“They know what’s at stake and they know what’s going on. They see what the team looks like. Let them go compete and have some fun.”
The Royals have a framework for their pitching staff at each level in the minors. Spring training is about solidifying the major-league squad and developing younger prospects who are trying to move up through KC’s minor-league system.
It’s a delicate balance, managing the present while also preparing for the future. The Royals are in a competitive window and realize veteran experience is important as they seek sustained success.
“It’s nice to be around all of these guys, pick their brains and learn from them,” Kudrna said.
Kudrna finished his 2024 season in Double A. He is ranked No. 3 among the Royals’ top prospects, per MLB.com. KC officials are impressed with his skill-set and are optimistic that spring training will give him some momentum for his 2025 season in the minors.
Other top prospects who should benefit from being in the Royals’ big-league camp this spring include lefty pitcher Noah Cameron (ranked No. 12 in KC’s farm system) and right-handed pitchers Chandler Champlain (No. 16) and Steven Zobac (No. 17).
The Royals’ more veteran players are typically going to be nearby, ready to lend advice as needed.
“When it comes to camp, you’ve got to enjoy it,” Lugo said. “You know, it’s supposed to be kind of relaxed as we build up to the season.”
While position players aren’t officially required to report to Surprise until Monday, most are already in camp, working out.
And in the most simple sense, their goal really does remain the same:
Win and make the postseason again.
“I think the guys are champing at the bit to get out here,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “It’s a long offseason, especially when you taste a little success, but guys know they wanted more and they are really looking forward to get back.
“The motivation has been there all winter.”
This story was originally published February 12, 2025 at 6:09 PM with the headline "New faces, same goal as KC Royals open spring training in search of AL supremacy."
