After kicking off their spring training with a solid 7-3 victory over the Texas Rangers, the Kansas City Royals are back in action against the San Diego Padres. This time, they’re playing as the home team, and the lineup holds some intriguing storylines for fans to keep an eye on.
One of the key narratives centers around the battle for the third catcher spot. Luca Tresh is getting the start behind the plate, highlighting a position that’s becoming more competitive than expected.
While the debate over the third catcher might not be headline-grabbing, it’s an important roster decision. Tresh has been making waves in the upper minors and is now in the mix alongside veteran non-roster invitees like Elias Díaz and Jorge Alfaro.
The Royals need to decide who will back up Salvador Perez and Carter Jensen. With Díaz and Alfaro arriving late to camp and Luke Maile temporarily off the roster, the opportunity is wide open.
Tresh, at 26, might not be a top-tier prospect like Jensen or Blake Mitchell, but he’s shown he has the chops for a big-league depth role. Last season in Triple-A Omaha, he posted a respectable .259/.321/.473 slash line with 10 homers and 37 RBIs, along with a 103 wRC+.
His underlying metrics are promising too, with a 78th percentile barrel rate and a 76th percentile xSLG, indicating he can make quality contact. Add in his above-average K-rate, whiff rate, and max exit velocities, and Tresh seems capable of stepping into a major league role.
While the veteran invitees may seem like safer choices, their recent performances haven’t been standout. Tresh’s success in Triple-A makes him a legitimate contender, provided he continues to shine this spring.