What to know about Royals’ 2025 spring training

Get ready to baseball!

Happy Pitchers and Catchers Report Day! The winter in Kansas City may be especially cold with several inches of snow on the ground, but in warm and sunny Arizona, Royals players are assembling to begin spring training. It is a season of renewed hope after a surprising post-season run last year, with the highest pre-season expectations in several years.

The Royals will have six weeks in the sun before the regular season begins on March 27 against the Guardians. As spring training begins, here’s what you need to know.

Where do the Royals play in spring training?

The Royals spend spring training in Surprise, Arizona just outside of Phoenix. They share a facility with the Texas Rangers and play games at Surprise Stadium, which seats 10,500 fans. For more information on the stadium or to order tickets, click here.

Fifteen teams train in Arizona, which has a drier climate and allows for closer proximity to other teams than spring training in Florida.

What is the Royals’ spring training schedule?

The Royals will play 33 games to prepare for the 2025 regular season before the season begins on March 27. The spring training schedule kicks off on February 21 against the Rangers and concludes with two exhibition games at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on March 24-25. MLB is also bringing back the Spring Breakout Game, where teams play prospects to showcase their talents. Royals prospects will take on Diamondbacks prospects on Friday, March 14 in Scottsdale.

How can I follow games?

You can listen to 16 spring training games on the Royals Radio network with Ryan Lefebvre, Steve Stewart, and Jake Eisenberg on the call, including 11 on 96.5 The Fan and 5 games on its sister station The Bet 1660. You can follow other games at royals.com.

FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City (previously known as Bally Sports Kansas City) will air four spring training games - March 9 against the Brewers, March 14 against the Angels, March 15 against the Guardians, and March 19 against the Giants. Calling games will be Lefebvre, Eisenberg, Rex Hudler, and Jeremy Guthrie.

You can also follow Royals Review gamethreads!

Who is in camp?

The Royals will have 55 players in big league camp - their 40-man roster plus 25 non-roster invitees.

*-denotes non-roster invitee

Catchers: Freddy Fermin, Kyle Hayes*, Omar Hernandez*, Carter Jensen*, Blake Mitchell*, Brian O’Keefe*, Salvador Perez, Luca Tresh*

Infielders: Cavan Biggio*, Jac Caglianone*, Harold Castro*, Cam Devanney*, Maikel Garcia, Jonathan India, Nick Lofin, Michael Massey, Vinnie Pasquantino, Nick Pratto, Tyler Tolbert*, Javier Vaz*, Bobby Witt Jr.

Outfielders: Dairon Blanco, Gavin Cross*, Tyler Gentry, Kyle Isbel, MJ Melendez, John Rave*, Hunter Renfroe, Nelson Velázquez, Drew Waters, Joey Wiemer

Pitchers: Luinder Avila, Jonathan Bowlan, Kris Bubic, Noah Cameron, Eric Cerantola, Chandler Champlain*, Taylor Clarke*, Austin Cox*, Steven Cruz, Lucas Erceg, Carlos Estévez, Junior Fernández*, Tyson Guerrero*, Thomas Hatch*, Hunter Harvey, Carlos Hernández, Andrew Hoffmann*, Ben Kudrna*, Sam Long, Michael Lorenzen, Seth Lugo, Daniel Lynch IV, Alec Marsh, James McArthur, Cole Ragans, John Schreiber, Anthony Simonelli*, Evan Sisk, Chris Stratton, Michael Wacha, Beck Way*, Angel Zerpa, Steven Zobac*

What are some spring training storylines?

The Royals have a fairly solid roster, returning much of their playoff team from last fall. But there are still some positional battles to be determined, such as the starting rotation. Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, Michael Wacha, and Michael Lorenzen are slotted in, with the last spot up for grabs between Alec Marsh, Kris Bubic, and Kyle Wright.

There may be some jockeying for bullpen roles, with the Royals having several options among their relievers. James McArthur, Sam Long, Daniel Lynch IV, and Carlos Hernández could be in competition for the last few roster spots, and Chris Stratton likely needs a strong spring to show last year’s dismal performance was an aberration.

The outfield was a weak spot last year, but the Royals are hoping they can add options by having some infielders learn to play out there. Newly acquired Jonathan India will try to play the outfield for the first time in his pro career, and infielders Michael Massey and Maikel Garcia will see time there this spring as well. The Royals still need to determine how their outfield will line up, whether they still trust MJ Melendez and Hunter Renfroe after poor performances last season, and they may still explore opportunities to upgrade the lineup.

Are you headed to spring training? Any tips fo someone checking out some Arizona baseball?