Royals Rumblings - News for March 3, 2025
Who is turning heads in camp?
Anne Rogers writes that Jonathan India is turning heads in camp.
“Leadoff guy,” India said. “[I bring] a lot of fire and a lot of passion. A lot of energy. I’m an energy guy and hopefully they feed off that, because I’ll set the tempo for everyone.”
India’s speed on the basepaths makes him the perfect partner to tag-team with Witt at the top of the Royals’ lineup.
“Running the bases aggressively is something that we take a lot of pride in,” Quatraro said. “He loves to do that. And Bobby being on base behind him. Hopefully India’s comfortable getting some stolen bases as well. It’s something that he’s talked to us about that he wants to do as well, so, he should fit the mold perfectly.”
Jaylon Thompson writes that Jac Caglianone is turning heads in camp.
“That is a gifted human,” Royals hitting coach Alec Zumwalt said....
Caglianone hit his first Cactus League home run against the Chicago White Sox at Surprise Stadium. The baseball traveled 435 feet and landed halfway up the center field berm. The swing registered a 115.4 mph exit velocity off the bat. There were audible gasps in the stands.
The homer would’ve been the Royals’ third-hardest-hit home run in the Statcast era, had it come in regular-season play. The list includes Jorge Soler (115.7 mph) and Kendrys Morales (115.6 mph).
Clay Snowden at Just Baseball writes this is a make-or-break season for MJ Melendez.
Often times what makes power hitters great is their ability to do damage on mistake pitches, and Melendez simply did not do that. He’s also struggled with breaking balls throughout his career, posting a sub-.200 batting average on spin and has relied heavily on hitting fastballs.
Being the type of player to hunt fastballs isn’t necessarily a bad thing and many players have put together great careers doing so. But, that profile can lead to some up-and-down play, especially when you aren’t turning fastballs into home runs at a higher rate.
Despite the mediocre numbers and poor defense, Melendez can still turn it around. He is entering his age-26 season and has too much talent to write off.
Preston Farr at Farm to Fountains looks at the underwhelming player development of the late 2010s.
The Yankees have had contact with free agent slugger J.D. Martinez.
Trea Turner trolls Max Scherzer with an ABS challenge.
The Reds don’t seem inclined to extend any more young players for a bit.
Which 2024 breakouts were for real?
Michael Harris III and Lawrence Butler have been in a rivalry on who is faster since they were kids.
After a year on baseball’s ineligible list, former Mets GM Billy Eppler has been hired by the Brewers front office.
ESPN wanted to slash MLB payments by $300 million, according to a report.
MLBPA union leader Tony Clark expects an owner lockout after the CBA expires in 2026.
Rob Manfred is considering a petition from Pete Rose’s family to get him taken off the ineligible list posthumously.
John Cena finally turns heel and aligns with The Rock at Elimination Chamber.
South Carolina women’s basketball will get the #1 seed in the SEC tournament based on a coin flip.
Is Dickens better than Shakespeare?
Prada is moving closer to a $1.6 billion deal to acquire Versace.
Is the International Space Station too clean?
Your song of the day is New York Dolls (RIP David Johansen) with Personality Crisis.