The Kansas City Royals are buzzing with excitement as their star pitcher, Cole Ragans, makes a triumphant return to the field! Ragans, the All-Star left-hander, is ready to reclaim his spot after a challenging 2025 season.
Ragans is eager to get back in the game, stating, "I'm healthy and feeling great." He acknowledges areas for improvement but is thrilled to enter the offseason with a clean bill of health. One of his goals is to refine his slider, which he believes will be a game-changer.
In 2024, Ragans' slider was a bit unpredictable, but he made it work. He adjusted his grip for the 2025 season, and although it showed promise, the movement wasn't quite right. Ragans explains, "It became too deep and almost resembled a curveball. I want to perfect it and be able to use it in any count."
Now, let's talk about a potential breakout star. Jac Caglianone, a rising talent, smashed a ball at an astonishing 120.2 mph during spring training! This incredible feat has only been achieved 27 times in the regular season since 2008. The Royals are eager to see what Caglianone can do, especially with the adjustments to their home field. But here's where it gets interesting: how will Caglianone's power translate to the regular season?
As for the rotation, Bergert seems to have secured the sixth spot, battling with Noah Cameron for a spot on Opening Day. Luinder Avila, Mason Black, and Bailey Falter are also in the mix, with Avila receiving high praise from Matt Quatraro and Black impressing this spring. And this is the part most fans are curious about: who will make the final cut?
In other news, Carter Jensen is the lone Royals prospect to crack the top 100 rankings, and the Negro League's Hinchliffe Stadium has been restored to its former glory. Additionally, former MLB pitcher Dan Serafini's life sentence for murder and the passing of veteran umpire Bruce Froemming at 86 have made headlines.
Lastly, the complex relationship between eligibility and contracts for college athletes remains a hot topic, with ongoing legal battles. Stay tuned as the Royals' season promises excitement, and keep an eye on the young talent making waves.
