Royals Spring Notes: Lugo's Fastball Focus, Ragans' Mature Call, and Caglianone's Breakout Potential
As spring training looms, the Royals are entering 2026 with a mix of optimism, calculated decisions, and a few lingering questions. Let’s dive into the latest from Kansas City and beyond, starting with a veteran pitcher refining his approach, a rising ace making a mature call, and a slugging rookie who might be on the verge of a breakout.
Seth Lugo Zeros In on the Fastball
Seth Lugo has long been known for his breaking stuff - the curveball, the slider, the sweeper - it's a deep bag of tricks. But heading into 2026, he's making one thing clear: the fastball needs to lead the way.
“Over the past couple of years, all the breaking balls that I like to throw, it kind of gave me a reality check - we’ve got to use your fastball,” Lugo said. “We’ve got to command the fastball.
Get up when I need to. So that’s been my focus.”
This isn’t just a throwaway quote. Lugo’s arsenal has always been about movement and deception, but even the nastiest breaking ball plays better when hitters have to respect the heater.
If he can locate it consistently - particularly up in the zone - it could unlock the rest of his game. For a Royals team looking to stabilize its rotation, Lugo dialing in his fastball command could be a quiet but critical storyline to watch this spring.
Cole Ragans Declines WBC Invite to Focus on Health
Cole Ragans had a chance to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic - a dream for many - but made the tough call to pass. Royals GM J.J. Picollo explained the decision, and it speaks volumes about where Ragans is mentally heading into the season.
“He was asked by Team USA to pitch for them,” Picollo said. “And very mature decision by him to decide not to - as tempting as it was.
But in his mind, he wanted to be healthy. He wanted to ramp up into the season and not be ramped up going into spring training.”
For a young pitcher with frontline potential, it’s a savvy move. Ragans dealt with a rotator cuff strain last season, following a groin issue, and was limited to just over 60 innings.
That’s the bad news. The good news?
When he returned, the stuff was still electric. His command, pitch mix, and strikeout ability put him in rare company - and yes, he’s already drawing fantasy buzz, ranked as high as No. 12 among starters by Eno Sarris.
If he stays healthy, Ragans isn’t just a breakout candidate - he’s a legitimate award contender. And skipping the WBC might be the first step in making that happen.
Caglianone’s Metrics Scream Breakout
Jac Caglianone didn’t light up the stat sheet last year - at least not in the traditional sense. But dig into the advanced metrics, and there’s a different story being told. A louder one.
No player in Major League Baseball - rookie or otherwise - posted bigger gaps between actual and expected batting average, slugging, and on-base percentage. He led the league in all three categories. That’s not just unusual - that’s historic.
Most notably, his expected slugging ranked 10th among all rookies, while his actual slugging was fourth-worst. That kind of disparity usually points to one thing: bad luck. But it’s not just about what didn’t go right - it’s about what could go very right in 2026.
Caglianone also led all rookies in EV90 - the top 10% of his batted balls were hit harder than anyone else’s. That’s elite company. Add in a barrel rate of 12% (sixth among rookies), and you’ve got a player whose underlying numbers suggest a major leap is coming.
He’s got jaw-dropping power, and if the results start to match the quality of contact, Caglianone could be one of the league’s most dangerous young hitters by midseason.
Sherman Reaffirms Royals’ Commitment to Kansas City
At Royals Rally this past weekend, CEO and chairman John Sherman made it clear: the Royals aren’t going anywhere.
“Look, we’re not going anywhere, and that’s what we’ve said all along,” Sherman said. “Someone else will have to do that... We’re working day and night right now to find a way to make sure this team stays here for as long as any of us are going to be around.”
Sherman also emphasized the importance of a public partnership - a key piece in long-term stability for the franchise. “The public partner is what ties you to a community,” he said.
While stadium talks and funding discussions continue, Sherman’s comments should offer some reassurance to fans. The Royals are focused on building in Kansas City - not bolting from it.
Outfield Upgrade? Easier Said Than Done
The Royals have been exploring ways to improve their outfield, but the options aren’t as simple as they might seem. Take Austin Hays, for example. On paper, his 105 wRC+ might look like a decent addition, but there are complications.
He hasn’t played center field since 2023 - and even then, it was just 36.2 innings. The last time he played more than that in center was all the way back in 2020. Defensively, the metrics haven’t been kind in recent years, and offensively, he hasn’t come close to matching what someone like MJ Collins did last year.
Hays does have a track record, but aside from a brief flash in 2019, he hasn’t consistently produced at a level that would be a clear upgrade. For a team trying to take a step forward, that makes the search for outfield help a little more complicated than just plugging in a name.
Quick Hits Around the League
- Vinnie Pasquantino’s contract includes salary escalators, giving the Royals some flexibility as he continues to establish himself as a key piece of the lineup.
- The Royals’ farm system is ranked among the bottom three in baseball, according to CBS Sports. That’s a concern for long-term depth and development.
- Carlos Santana signs a one-year, $2 million deal with Arizona, adding veteran presence to their lineup.
- Carlos Beltrán will wear a Mets cap in Cooperstown - a nod to where he spent some of his best years.
- Former Royals pitcher Jackson Kowar was claimed off waivers by the Twins, as Minnesota continues to shuffle its bullpen options.
- Jeimer Candelario signs a minor league deal with the Angels, looking to work his way back onto a big-league roster.
As the countdown to spring training continues, the Royals are a team with intriguing pieces, cautious optimism, and a few major decisions still ahead. Whether it’s Ragans’ health, Lugo’s fastball, or Caglianone’s power finally translating into production, there’s no shortage of storylines to watch in Kansas City this spring.