Royals Open Spring Training with Renewed Energy and Playoff Aspirations
**SURPRISE, Ariz. ** - The sun hadn’t even cracked the horizon Tuesday morning when the Kansas City Royals clubhouse started buzzing.
Players trickled in early, coffee in hand, handshakes exchanged, offseason stories swapped. It felt like the first day of school - if school came with cleats, gloves, and a quietly growing sense of unfinished business.
The Royals’ pitchers and catchers officially reported for duty, kicking off a spring training that carries more weight than usual. There’s a quiet confidence in the air, and for good reason - this is a team that believes it’s ready to take the next step.
“We feel like we’ve got the guys in here to be able to do that,” said veteran starter Michael Wacha. “You know, we were right there on the cusp of it last year, and we were able to learn some things about our squad and hopefully made some adjustments over the offseason to get back to where we want to be.”
That “cusp” Wacha’s referring to? It’s the playoff hunt - and the Royals aren’t just hoping to be in the mix this time. They’re aiming to be a problem.
A Clubhouse Full of Momentum
There’s something about spring training that always feels like a reset, but this year, it’s more than just a fresh calendar. It’s a fresh direction.
Lucas Erceg, who became a father in the offseason, arrived with a new perspective. Bobby Witt Jr. spent some time soaking in the energy of a Dallas Stars game.
Across the room, players caught up like old friends - but the conversations quickly turned to baseball.
The Royals’ front office didn’t sit idle this winter. They went to work fortifying the bullpen and adding depth to the outfield - two areas that needed attention. Outfielder Isaac Collins and reliever Nick Mears came over from Milwaukee, while experienced arms Matt Strahm and Alex Lange were brought in to help lock down the late innings.
“You know, the more experience you have down there, the more opportunity for success,” Erceg said of the revamped bullpen. “It’s all gonna help us create success a little bit more consistently. As long as we are all on the same page and doing the right things, I don’t doubt that we’re gonna turn some heads this year.”
Building Around the Core
The Royals aren’t starting from scratch. They’ve got a foundation - and a good one.
Witt, Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez form the heart of a lineup that’s young, talented, and ready to make a leap. What the front office has done is surround that core with complementary pieces meant to accelerate the timeline.
One of the most intriguing developments? Kauffman Stadium is getting a bit more hitter-friendly.
The club has moved the outfield fences in, aiming to tailor the ballpark to the strengths of its lineup. Expect more extra-base hits, and maybe a few more fireworks.
That change might raise an eyebrow or two among the pitching staff, but Wacha isn’t sweating it.
“I’m not even thinking about it really,” he said. “As a pitcher, at least for me, you know, I’m going to stick to what’s worked for me.
I tend to be more of a flyball pitcher, but I feel like I’m able to get weak contact at times as well. Hopefully, rely on that weak contact and get a bit more swing and miss than I did last year.
I’m not too worried about it though.”
Eyes on the AL Central
The Royals’ first full-squad workout is set for February 16, but the countdown is already on for their Cactus League opener on February 20 against the Texas Rangers. That game will mark the first real glimpse of what this new-look squad can do - and for fans, it’s a chance to see how the offseason additions mesh with the returning stars.
Every spring training game matters in its own way, but for the Royals, this stretch is about more than just getting in reps. It’s about tightening fundamentals, building chemistry, and eliminating the small mistakes that cost them in 2025. One-run losses were a thorn in their side last season, and that’s a trend they’re determined to end.
“I think we had a lot of games where we were right there - whether we were losing and coming back and one run down,” said lefty Noah Cameron. “I think it’s a lot of really good hitting coordinators and a hitting lineup.
I think our lineup is awesome this year, so I’m super excited to watch them work. I think our pitching staff is unbelievable.
The whole group I think is going to be really good.”
The Road Ahead
There’s no shortage of optimism in Surprise, and it’s not just the desert sun talking. The Royals are coming into 2026 with a deeper roster, a more balanced attack, and a clear sense of who they are.
They’ve got the talent. They’ve got the leadership.
And now, they’ve got a spring to put it all together.
If this first day is any indication, the Royals aren’t just hoping for a better season - they’re preparing for one.