The Royals unveiled a preliminary listing of 23 non-roster invitees to massive league camp in Arizona for spring coaching, and it consists of 2024 first-round decide Jac Caglianone, in addition to prime prospects Blake Mitchell and Carter Jensen and former first-round decide Gavin Cross.
Free brokers Cavan Biggio, Taylor Clarke, and Junior Fernández had been additionally invited. Biggio spent seven seasons within the massive leagues, largely with Toronto. Clarke pitched for the Royals in 2022 and 2023 earlier than they traded him to the Brewers final 12 months. Fernández has pitched elements of 4 MLB seasons with the Cardinals and Pirates.
The Royals additionally invited gamers who spent final season of their minor leagues together with catchers Kyle Hayes, Omar Hernández, Brian O’Keefe, and Luca Tresh, infielders Cam Devanney, Anthony Simonelli, Tyler Tolbert, and Javier Vaz, outfielder John Rave, and pitchers Chandler Chamblain, Austin Cox, Tyson Guerrero, Andrew Hoffmann, Ben Kudrna, Beck Manner, and Stephen Zobac.
With the 23 invitees, the Royals have 63 complete gamers invited to spring coaching.
Caglianone’s invitation doubtless indicators the Royals count on him to be a quick riser within the farm system. Caglianone was chosen sixth general final summer time as a two-way participant, however the Royals say he’ll focus solely on hitting this season and will transfer to the outfield later this 12 months.
Caglianone’s maturity & means led to an invitation, JJ Picollo informed me: “You need him to be round winners. We’ve obtained a bunch of winners in our clubhouse, and the extra he understands what our tradition is about, the higher, as a result of it’s a tradition that hopefully someday he’s main.”
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) January 10, 2025
Final 12 months he began gradual, however got here on to hit .241/.302/.388 in 29 video games at Excessive-A, then hit .236/.300/.449 with 5 dwelling runs in 21 video games within the Arizona Fall League. The primary baseman boasts 80-grade energy, however must handle considerations about his chase charge.
Pitchers and catchers report on February 12 with the primary full exercise on February 17. The Royals open the exhibition schedule on February 21 towards the Texas Rangers.
