When will Jac Caglianone get the call? How to ignite slumbering bats? Royals Q&A
The Kansas City Royals have hit a speed bump in recent weeks.
After a strong start to May, they spent the rest of the month scuffling. The Royals have lost 11 of their last 17 and are averaging just 2.75 runs per game amid the cold spell.
Nevertheless, the Royals did win Wednesday night, beating the Cincinnati Reds in their series finale.
At 30-27, the Royals have slid to fourth in the American League Central. It’s a tough division, but the Royals are still one of the top teams in the league. That’s a credit to their strong pitching staff and the dependable duo of Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia.
However, there are a few concerns.
Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez haven’t produced with runners in scoring position and second baseman Michael Massey continues to struggle.
KC has played 57 games. There’s plenty of time for a turnaround, but alarming trends lurk.
Let’s unpack some of your pressing questions:
Why are the Royals struggling with runners in scoring position? Is there any way to fix the problem? — Jimmy P.
Hi Jimmy! Thank you for the question.
The Royals are getting runners on base. That’s not a surprise, given the quality of hitters in a lineup that features Witt, Perez and Pasquantino. Those three were sensational at driving in runs last season.
Each had more than 90 RBIs during the Royals’ run to the MLB playoffs in 2024. Pasquantino hit .360 with runners in scoring position (RISP) last season. Perez hit. 329 with nine home runs and 76 RBIs with RISP.
It was nearly automatic: Whenever Perez or Pasquantino had runners on base, it was a pretty sure thing that they would get the job done.
This season, those numbers have plummeted.
Pasquantino entered Wednesday’s game hitting .197 with 10 strikeouts with runners aboard. Perez has done slightly better, but his .227 batting average doesn’t inspire confidence.
Garcia is a pleasant surprise. The additions of John Rave, Nick Loftin and Drew Waters can help generate marginal gains.
But Perez and Pasquantino are paid to produce runs and need to be better. They aren’t performing to their capabilities right now and must step up.
That’s the biggest difference between the 2024 Royals and the current squad.
Should the Royals make a change with their hitting coach? — Trent L.
I don’t think it’s fair to blame all of the Royals’ flaws on their hitting coaches. At some point, the Royals have to hit the baseball at a better clip.
The Royals have three hitting coaches on the payroll. They’ve helped multiple players make important strides. Garcia, for example, implemented a toe-tap in his stance during the offseason, at the behest of hitting coach Alec Zumwalt, and it has paid dividends.
The revised approach at the plate has helped Garcia stabilize his batting stance. Now he is having an All-Star type season. Zumwalt and fellow KC hitting coaches Keoni DeRenne and Joe Dillon continue to pore over film and find ways to help the lineup.
It’s up to the Royals themselves — the players — to hit the baseball. No coach can physically make that happen. It’s not on them to face 95 mph fastballs with movement. They can’t stand in the box and hit wicked sliders and curveballs.
Baseball is a hard game based on failure. Yes, the Royals’ coaches are expected to show the way. But the players have to be hitters — they’re ultimately the ones who must execute the action, or not.
How has Jac Caglianone been able to handle the minor-league ladder climb through the levels so well? Are there any notable differences in how he’s played or approached each level, and what are the last steps he needs to make before reaching KC? — Mike F.
Hi Mike! Jac Caglianone is truly a special player.
He has all the tools to be a Major League Baseball superstar. He has rare power that will ultimately translate well to the bigs.
To answer your question, Caglianone has attacked each minor-league level with raw talent. Keep in mind the fact that he is just 22, so he is still learning various aspects of the game. My KC Star colleague Sam McDowell explored how Caglianone has an extreme chase rate.
He is aggressive early in counts and sometimes it works in his favor.
Take his five-home run stretch last week with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers. He belted the baseball all over the ballpark. His swing is mighty impressive when he connects.
Other times, like Tuesday night, he can be beat with off-speed pitches. He struck out three times and went 0-for-5.
Caglianone is also still learning to play the outfield. He is getting adequate reps in both of the corner outfield spots. The Royals need to see improvement in his reaction times and more fluidity as he tracks the baseball.
I say all that to say this: Caglianone will be a force once he arrives in Kansas City. The Royals remain patient because they want him to be a significant part of their future. Fans should want that as well, because he has a chance to be truly special.
What are your expectations on John Rave? How do you see his role evolving with the club moving forward? — Pamela A.
There is a lot to like about Rave. He is the type of player you root for because he worked his way up through the minor-league system.
I think he can be a solid big-leaguer. He is versatile and offers an all-around game that fits well with what the Royals look to do. Rave will steal bases and hit his share of home runs, too.
In his MLB debut this week, he laid down a nice bunt in a key sequence. On Wednesday, he recorded his first hit against the Cincinnati Reds, a double.
Rave can carve out a role with the Royals. The opportunity is there as KC looks for consistent offense.
Drew Waters and/or Daniel Lynch will be in a package to obtain a professional hitting outfielder for the Royals before the deadline. True or False? — Mike T.
I think the Royals will evaluate all options at the MLB trade deadline. It’s clear they need some impact bats in the lineup.
I’m not sure which players will be available. A trade obviously requires two parties to work together. It’s possible teams might value other prospects besides Waters and/or Lynch.
It’s not clear if the Royals will be willing to move either of them. Both hold key roles right now and teams don’t typically trade guys from their big-league roster. A lot of deadline deals involve high-level prospects.
I wouldn’t expect the Royals to ship away their depth. Look for them to evaluate what’s available and see how much a quality bat might cost them come late June and early July.
When will Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans return? What is their ETA regarding their injuries? — Heather R.
Hi Heather! The wait is almost over for both veteran All-Star pitchers.
The Royals expect Lugo to start Friday night against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. He is eligible to return Thursday. The Royals are off Thursday, which allows them to slot Lugo into the rotation.
In his stead, the Royals have used St. Joseph Noah Cameron for spot-starts. He has looked impressive through four such outings. He was terrific against the Reds Wednesday.
Ragans could return within the next week or so. He may be in line for a rehab assignment before re-joining the rotation.
This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "When will Jac Caglianone get the call? How to ignite slumbering bats? Royals Q&A."
