Kansas City Royals Weekend Rumblings – News for February 22, 2025

Tyler Gentry had the biggest knock of the day for the Kansas City Royals, with his first home run of the spring plating three.

The second-most impactful hit came from Nick Loftin, with this two-RBI single up the middle.

Royals pitching prospect Noah Cameron was pumping from the mound, tossing two shutout innings with only one hit surrendered.

Hear from the Royals after their win over the Texas Rangers.

Jaylon Thompson of the Kansas City Star caught up with Kansas City’s new leadoff man, Jonathan India, after Friday’s Cactus League win. [$]

“It was definitely awesome, and I’m glad to be here and be a part of it,” India said of his Royals debut. “That’s a really good team and I’m excited to see what we do this year. The lineup is long and the pitching staff is incredible. So, it’s going to be a fun year for sure.”

MLB.com named the league’s 10 most indispensable players, with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. topping the list.

He’s also the heart and soul of this team, the fan favorite, the guy who, when the Royals inked him to a long-term contract extension, became the public face of a franchise that almost immediately turned its fortunes around. The Royals would be a shell of themselves without him.

Katie Woo of The Athletic detailed how the Royals were not even close to trading for Nolan Arenado.

Arenado wasn’t going to accept a trade just anywhere. Should he be dealt, it would be to a team that had firmly put itself in a position to contend for a World Series or a team that was planning to in the near future. That’s why talks with the Tigers, Royals and Angels never got off the ground. Those teams were viewed as non-starters by the player, a source described, and no substantial discussions took place. But as word spread that the Cardinals were actively taking calls on Arenado, more teams began to take notice.

David Lesky at Inside the Crown hits on his Crown Jewels ahead of the weekend, including how drastic the Royals pitching makeover has changed this team’s outlook.

This pitching staff is the reason why I at least believe a bit that they can wait on the bat until the season if they still aren’t able to figure out a trade during spring training. The division will be close and I really hope they don’t lose it by like two games because they didn’t hit enough, but the pitching should keep them in contention even if the bats slumber a bit more than they did in the first five months of the 2024 season.

Preston Farr of Farm to Fountains lays out the Royals system riches of catchers in 2025.

Baseball America names left-handed pitcher Frank Mozzicato as the Royals prospect with the most to prove in 2025. [$]

MLB.com calls Royals prospect Jac Caglianone “one of the most intriguing players to watch” in spring training, thanks to Statcast data.

New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner rescinded the team’s beards ban, nearly 50 years after his father imposed the rule.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had a positive update on pitcher Bobby Miller after a line drive struck the pitcher in the head on Thursday.

From the pinstripes of New York to the Dodger blues of Los Angeles, there is a strong connection among the clubhouse staffers who wash the uniforms of the major leagues.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Cody Poteet won the first ABS challenge in spring training action on Thursday.

Pitcher Andrew Heaney is reportedly joining the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year deal worth $5.25 million.

Carlos Collazo talks about on-site scouting for Baseball America.

Joe Pompliano breaks down ESPN and MLB parting ways and what this means for the future of baseball’s broadcasts.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and soul singer Jerry Butler passed away at 85.

Mother of the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G., Voletta Wallace, passed away at 78.

Amazon MGM Studios announced they have taken creative control of the James Bond franchise.

German engineering firm Voodin has created wooden wind turbines, with feasibility testing beginning abroad.