The Kansas City Royals are gearing up for the 2026 season, and there's a lot of excitement and anticipation in the air. But here's where it gets controversial: while the team has a solid starting five, including Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Noah Cameron, Kris Bubic, and Michael Wacha, they might need to look for more pitching options depending on Stephen Kolek's recovery process. And this is the part most people miss: with the World Baseball Classic looming, the Royals have a chance to give some of their players, like outfielder Drew Waters, more playing opportunities. But will they take it? And what about the new signing, Starling Marte? Will he be a game-changer for the Royals? Let's dive in and explore these topics and more.
The Royals' Pitching Dilemma
The Royals already have a strong starting rotation, but they might need to add more depth to their pitching staff. Sports Illustrated's Curt Bishop advocates for the team to look for more pitching options, especially if Stephen Kolek is out for an extended period. With available options like Zack Littell, Nestor Cortes, Patrick Corbin, Tyler Anderson, Jon Gray, and Marcus Stroman, the Royals have some insurance. But they also have plenty of pitchers still on the market who can fill both starting and relief roles, such as Joey Lucchesi and Max Kranick. The key question is: how long will Kolek be out? If he returns quickly, the Royals should be fine, but a little more depth can't hurt, especially if he's out for an extended period.
The Switch-Hitting Outfield
Speaking of playing opportunities, this spring is Drew Waters' last chance to show he can be an asset for the Royals, whether it's with his power, speed, or defense. Waters, a switch-hitting outfielder, will have to break through a crowded outfield to get those starts. Getting a few more at-bats against Major League-caliber pitching will give him a better chance to shine. As Waters said, "Having the opportunity to have three or four at-bats on a regular basis in starts is great leading into the season and an opportunity to show what you're capable of."
The New Signing: Starling Marte
Starling Marte, a longtime proven right-handed bat in the big leagues, has signed with the Royals. Manager Matt Quatraro praised Marte's leadership and commitment to staying ready to play. Marte himself expressed his excitement about the new season and his commitment to helping the team. The main area where Marte will be used is against left-handed pitching, where the Royals struggled in 2025. Marte has a history of success against lefties, posting a wRC+ above 100 in four of the last five seasons. This could provide relief for players like Collins or Caglianone in the corner outfield spots, helping to boost the lineup's overall production.
The Royals' Top 30 Prospects
MLB Pipeline has released a new list of the Royals' top 30 prospects, with catcher Carter Jensen leading the pack. The system's best-graded tools according to evaluators include Jensen's hit, power, run, arm, defense, fastball, curveball, slider, changeup, and cutter. Jensen's power and hit tools are particularly impressive, earning him a 60 and 55 rating, respectively.
A New Addition to the Team
Outfielder Kameron Misner has joined the Royals, returning to the team that drafted him out of high school. Misner, a Poplar Bluff native, has a bit of history with the organization, having been selected in the 33rd round of the 2016 MLB Draft. His decision to attend the University of Missouri on a baseball scholarship paid off, as he was named a 2017 Freshman All-American and set career marks during his junior season. The Royals are hoping he can make an impact on the team.
The Royals' Bullpen
In the meantime, the Royals are also looking at minor league deals to bolster their bullpen. One such player is José Pérez, who has lived up to the team's low-risk commitment, not allowing a single earned run and sporting a 0.73 FIP, 0.75 WHIP, and .200 BAA with a 40.0% K-rate. While Pérez might not be an option for Kansas City's 2026 bullpen, he could be a much-needed depth arm in their system, something they lacked last season.
The MLB News
In other MLB news, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for the 2026 season after another positive PED test. Boston Red Sox infielder Brendan Rogers is looking at shoulder surgery, according to manager Alex Cora. And New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean is feeling better after experiencing some odd symptoms last week.
The Song of the Day
And finally, today's song of the day is 'Mama Weer All Crazee Now' by Quiet Riot.
