Royals Rumblings - News for April 16, 2025
Have they tried turning the bats off and then on again?
Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. and manager Matt Quatraro talk about a rough series opening against the New York Yankees.
“You like to swing the bats a little bit better. Sometimes, you have to give credit to the opposing pitcher, too,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We had a couple of walks in the first inning and we were not able to capitalize on them. It’s not going to be 10, 12 runs every night. But we need to do a better job stringing some bigger innings together.”
Witt said he is not concerned about the offense. He believes it will pick up sooner rather than later.
“I know what we are capable of doing. … It’s just a matter of time,” he said. “We just have to keep preparing and getting better every day. That’s what we are going to continue doing.”
A new week means new power rankings around the interwebs. FanGraphs has the Royals coming in at 16th, holding steady from the previous iteration. But The Athletic has them at 20th and proposed an aggressive move. [$]
What might actually be a problem: The non-Bobby Witt Jr. batters
The Royals have never felt more like the Witt and Co. Show than they have so far this season. Coming off his second-place MVP finish in 2024, Witt has already put up 0.8 fWAR and 137 WRC+. The next closest Royal hitter is Maikel Garcia at 0.4 fWAR. After that, much of Kansas City’s regular lineup has been a net negative. MJ Melendez has a minus-13 WRC+, while Hunter Renfroe has yet to slug a homer.
Elsewhere, Jonathan India, whom the Royals acquired in the offseason and envisioned as a tablesetter, has been equally middling. Perhaps these early struggles will force the team’s hand in calling up top prospect Jac Caglianone, who’s done nothing but hit this season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Maybe it won’t. But if Kansas City has any hope of returning to October, it’ll require a massive offensive turnaround.
Bleacher Report has a similar take on the Royals, ranking them at 17 in their latest power rankings.
Consecutive series victories against the Orioles and Twins got the Royals to 7-6, but wins against those clubs move the needle only so much. And of the things that are evident after a series loss in Cleveland, nothing sticks out as much as the Royals needing to power up their offense. They have just eight home runs as a team.
At least CBS Sports has a positive for the 17th-ranked Royals.
Cole Ragans now has 34 strikeouts against four walks in 23 ⅔ innings. I am certainly not regretting my pick for AL Cy Young and MLB strikeout leader.
Keep tabs on Royals injuries, including some new updates regarding lefty Sam Long and outfielder Mark Canha.
Down on the Farm’s Josh Wittmer has a data update, including some good news about some Royals organizational depth.
Cam Devanney (KC): Devanney’s approach has taken a step forward. He’s not chasing slug, but his consistent contact and on-base ability (.375 OBP, 75% contact) have helped him post a .520 wOBA. It’s a low-key profile but trending toward upper minors utility value.
Sarah Langs points out a silver lining from Monday’s loss to the New York Yankees.
This is the second time in his career Bobby Witt Jr. has homered in an at-bat that went 10+ pitches
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 15, 2025
The only other Royals player with multiple such homers since pitch counts have been tracked (1988) is Mike Sweeney (2) https://t.co/7G7uj7eRLF
Sam Miller finds some gems on Pebble Hunting.
Two Pittsburgh Pirates make some history on Monday as the first battery comprised of top overall picks.
Monday’s Yankees win showcased the evolution of one of baseball’s most exciting prospects, albeit at the expense of Kansas City.
Former first overall pick Spencer Torkelson’s offseason changes seem legit... so far.
ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle details why the Luis Robert Jr. situation is bittersweet.
Andscape’s Justin Tinsley details why this year’s Jackie Robinson Day has a different feeling than previous iterations.
ESPN lists out which team’s relief corps are rostered in fantasy leagues.
The Cincinnati Reds get a big personnel boost ahead of a series against Seattle Mariners.
CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder lays out some ground rules at the ballpark in his latest Snyder’s Soapbox.
What could be next for Rory McIlroy?
Longtime Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith announces retirement.
All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey is once again on the trade market.
A match between soccer clubs Lazio and Roma, known as the Rome derby, ended with dozens injured and resulted in thousands worth of damage.
A human chain in Michigan helps move 9,100 books from an old store to a new one.
Leopards, tigers, and pumas, oh my! Spanish police arrest two people for exotic feline smuggling operation.
Starbucks streamlines staff style with stiff standards.
Today’s song is a bop, NOTHING ELSE by Forrest Frank featuring Thomas Rhett.