Who’s trending up and who’s trending down in Royals spring training?

Plenty of guys are fighting for a roster spot on Opening Day, who has impressed and who has struggled?

Opening Day is less than three weeks away for the Royals and their Spring Training roster is starting to thin out a bit. Some players were always going to start this year in the minor leagues, some were a lock for the big-league roster, and the remaining crop of players are battling for a spot on the big-league club.

So, who has raised their stock in Spring Training and who has seen their stock fall?

Trending up

Jac Caglianone

Caglianone currently has the best batting average on the whole roster, hitting .545 in 11 at bats. His three Spring Training homers also leads the Royals. The sixth-overall pick out of Florida in last year’s draft has lived up to the hype so far.

He will likely start the year in the minor leagues, but if he continues to produce like this over the next two weeks, he could force the Royals' hand.

MJ Melendez

After a rough start to the Spring Training season, and a rough season overall last year for Melendez, his new batting stance is producing a lot of good things for the Royals lately. Melendez finds himself right behind Caglianone in almost every hitting category. He is hitting .300 with two home runs, two triples and a double in 30 at-bats so far. The defense has also continued to impress for the former catcher, as he has almost locked himself into a Opening Day roster spot.

Cavan Biggio

Biggio is only hitting .214 this spring, but his five walks so far are what catches my eye. Last year, the Royals didn’t have many guys with that type of plate discipline and ability to get on base via a free pass. Add in the versatility that he gives you defensively and I think Biggio does snag a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Daniel Lynch IV

Last summer, Daniel Lynch IV was struggling mightily as a spot starter. But he has followed up a really solid finish to the 2024 season, mainly out of the bullpen, with a strong spring. In four appearances, he has given up two runs over 10 innings pitched, but he has struck out 9ninebatters. He has mainly pitched against a solid Rangers offense and has shut them down for the most part. Lynch is making a case to be the fifth starter to start the season or at least on the Opening Day pitching staff.

Trending Down

Carlos Hernández

Personally, as the biggest Hernández fan and defender, his Spring Training struggles hurt to watch. His 7.71 ERA over 7 innings pitched isn’t an encouraging sign, as he has given up plenty of hard contact. He has also walked three batters, en route to given up six runs. As someone that is out of options, Hernandez needs to turn it around quickly over the next two weeks.

Austin Cox

Cox was a left-hander that I thought could provide the Royals some quality innings out of the bullpen this season. However, in 4.2 innings he has given up four earned runs, walking three batters. With Sam Long having struggled in his two appearances and currently banged up after taking a line drive off the hand, Cox seemed like a potential lefty to make the team on Opening Day. However, similar to Hernández, Cox needs to throw better over the next couple of weeks to crack the roster.

Drew Waters

After spending most of last season in the minor leagues, Waters needed a good Spring Training to make the roster, especially as the Royals have many question marks about their outfield. Although, Waters is just 2-for-17 at the plate so far this spring. He has also struck out 9 times. The one positive thing is that he has drawn four walks.

Nelson Velázquez

Similar to Waters, Velázquez had a solid shot to play himself into a roster spot in a questionable Royals outfield. Velázquez has shown that he can be a formidable power threat at the plate in the MLB, but he’s hitting just 1-for-23 (.083).

The Royals still have plenty of time to make a decision on their Opening Day roster spots. Who do you think has impressed or disappointed so far for the Royals this spring?