Let’s not pretend the final scores matter at all in Spring Training, especially not on a Split Squad day. So, instead of telling you about the games, let’s just talk about who performed well and who did not.
Winners
Daniel Lynch IV
Lynch started the game against the Rangers and went three innings, allowing one run on three hits with no walks and three strikeouts. It’s probably not enough to push him ahead of Kris Bubic for the final rotation spot, but it certainly didn’t hurt his chances of winning a roster spot of some sort.
Freddy Fermin
On a day in which 20 different players accrued multiple plate appearances, Fermin was the only one to reach base more than once. Like Lynch, it almost certainly doesn’t affect his roster spot, but we still gotta highlight the only guy who did any hitting. Fermin ended his day against the Giants two-for-three with a pair of singles.
Drew Waters
Waters didn’t have any hits and struck out in two at-bats while also walking once – also against the Giants – but he made two fantastic defensive plays in centerfield. That’s the kind of thing that can get you considered for a bench role on a team with very, very thin outfield depth.
Jonathan Bowlan
Bowlan pitched later in the Rangers game and continued his strong spring, pitching a scoreless inning (one of five pitchers to prevent any scoring out of eleven that appeared.) He didn’t strike out any and did give up a hit and a walk, but again, when everyone else is giving up runs, we’ll give a little credit to a guy who didn’t.
Losers
Ross Stripling
I celebrated the Stripling signing when the Royals made it, excited about the depth opportunity he offered their starting rotation. He’s been awful so far this spring, though, and that continued against the Giants as he gave up two runs on four hits in middle relief.
Michael Wacha
Wacha started the game against the Giants and continued his own awful spring, though he’s still guaranteed the third rotation spot when the season starts. He pitched 2.2 innings, allowed five runs, and saw his spring ERA rise to 15.43.
MJ Melendez
Melendez had been hot lately, but as I’ve watched him swing, he seems every day to revert back to the awful, awkward mess he has been his entire major league career until now. He also struck out twice more today against the Giants. My hopes of an impending breakout are dying almost as quickly as they appeared.
Michael Massey
Massey’s roster spot is not in any danger due to the weakness of the lineup in general, but going 0-for-3 from the leadoff spot against the Giants still isn’t a great look. He did walk once, at least.
Chris Stratton
Stratton has a lot of eyes on him even as a veteran with a guaranteed contract. Most Royals fans want him gone and there have been rumors that the Royals are only keeping him this long to try to convince someone to trade for him before they simply release him. He had been pitching quite well, and a trade at least began to seem plausible, but he gave up a run in his last outing and two more runs in an inning’s work against the Rangers today. His time is rapidly running out.
The Royals play again tomorrow, hosting the Brewers in Surprise at 2:05 CDT. Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour tonight if you want to see them start on time! The game will actually be broadcast on the Royals’ FanDuel network for once, so you can actually see Noah Cameron take the mound for the Royals.
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