Royals Rumblings - News for May 8, 2025

The Royals are on fire.

Michael Wacha has been on a roll:

After posting a 4.35 ERA in his first four starts of the year, Wacha has logged a quality start in each of his past three outings and pitched into the seventh inning in each of his last two. Wednesday was the first time he finished seven this season. He was only at 84 pitches and could have gone back out for the eighth.

“I was ready to keep going there,” Wacha said.

Kyle Wright is making strides in his rehab process:

“It definitely felt pretty good to be back out there,” he said. “Felt pretty good and the ball is coming out pretty good. Execution of the command was solid.

“Could’ve been better but going to give myself a little bit of grace on the first one. I made a couple of dumb mistakes, which I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s been a little while since I pitched, but overall, I was really happy with it.”

North Kansas City remains in play for a new Royals ballpark, but Clay County officials have had little communication with the team:

However, before he takes a side on the issue, he said, he’d like to crunch some numbers to make sure a stadium is in the best interest of Clay County. It’s not yet clear how the team would seek to pay for a stadium — if they’d look for voters’ support of a sales tax or something else.

“What we have established in Clay County is our ability to deal in a professional way with some of the larger entities,” said Nolte, alluding to some of the challenges that surfaced when the Royals tried to reach a deal with Jackson County last year.

“That puts us in a position regardless of the outcome of this particular transaction that we, I think, have shown that we are, in fact, a reliable and professional partner when it comes to economic development of this scale.”

MLB Pipeline released their first mock draft, with Kansas City using their first pick to draft Josh Hammond, an infielder from a North Carolina high school:

Hammond entered the year more highly regarded as a pitching prospect but wants to play every day and has hit his way toward the first round. He fits the third-base profile well with at least plus raw power and well above-average arm strength.

The Royals signed outfielder Rudy Martin Jr. to a minor league deal.

Vinnie Pasquantino will once again suit up for Team Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Are the Orioles wasting their contention window?

Shohei Ohtani could go 50-50 again.

Roki Sasaki’s fastball has been very underwhelming.

Juan Soto’s production is irreplaceable, but Ben Rice is offering the Yankees a facsimile of said production.

Seattle rallied from five runs down to win their ninth straight series.

Cincinnati infielder Noelvi Marté is heading to the IL with an oblique injury.

White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi is heading to the IL with a calf injury.

Dodgers right-handed pitcher Evan Phillips is heading to the IL with an elbow injury.

USC joins the rankings for the first time this season in this week’s college baseball top 25. Related:

Utah’s NHL franchise unveiled their new branding: Utah Mammoth.

For the second time in eight days, the US Navy has lost an F/A-18 to the Red Sea.

Higher education is facing an existential threat from generative AI.

The REAL ID Act has finally gone into effect and the early results are messy.

Your song of the day is What If by Creed.