3 KC Royals that put up eye-catching numbers this spring

Put spring training on the shelf. Opening Day is nearly here! The KC Royals thankfully start the 2024 season at Kauffman Stadium, a common occurrence in recent years. Royals fans have plenty to be excited for after an active offseason and a promising spring. Kansas City finished Cactus League action at a cool 13-13-3, finishing .500 or better in spring training games seven times in the last eight iterations.

The KC Royals had some spring standouts for all the right reasons.

On Monday, the Royals play their final exhibition game before Opening Day against their Double-A affiliate, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. But, in three days, Kansas City opens up the season against the Minnesota Twins. The Twins won the AL Central in 2023, making them the team to beat in 2024. Kansas City needs to come out and set the tone against Minnesota, behind the arm of Cole Ragans and proving their batting potency beyond Bobby Witt Jr.

The Royals are a team to watch this season, and it is not just local fans saying that. MLB.com canvassed MLB clubhouses this spring and players voted the Royals as the team that will surprise fans the most in 2024. One National League pitcher even said he "wouldn't be surprised if the Royals are in first place in the [American League] Central." That is high praise, considering Kansas City has only won the Central once since the league realignment in 1994. Everything is looking up for the Royals ahead of Opening Day.

There are some interesting stats that historically transition well from spring training to the regular season, coming from Royals role players. These numbers stand out in the field for all the right reasons. If Kansas City wants to compete over a 162-game season rather than just have a good month or two, they need every edge they can get. Let's look at three players whose stats offer them, and Kansas City, hope for 2024.

Nick Pratto's 19% strikeout rate

When the Royals optioned Nick Pratto down to Triple-A Omaha, most fans rightfully had a negative reaction to the move. Pratto had done everything within his power to break camp with the Royals and begin 2024 at Kauffman Stadium. Many numbers will show how great Nick Pratto's spring was, but one stands out as the most important.

Pratto had plenty of question marks heading into spring training this year. He played a career-high 95 games in 2023 but posted his second consecutive season of negative fWAR. The 2017 first round selection recaptured fans' attention with an electric 2021 in the minors but has failed to produce since then. A staggering 40% strikeout rate in 2023 only exacerbated the problem.

The 2023 Pratto was not the one who showed up in Arizona, though. Whether it was a renewed focus or finally getting healthy for the first time in two years, Pratto was red-hot in the Arizona desert. He led the Royals in batting average (.421), OPS (1.292), wRC+ (237), and RBI (13) His four home runs tied with Bobby Witt Jr. for the team lead as well. Whenever Pratto was at the plate, he had a great chance of producing.

Pratto's plate approach was the real catching point for his spring success. He didn't start drawing walks suddenly, but cutting his strikeout rate in half in 2023 is impressive. Sure, it is spring, but not striking out as often and being more aggressive at the plate when needed are two things Pratto can control.

Royals fans need to watch how he performs in Triple-A very closely. If he carries over his spring performance to Omaha, Pratto could force his way back to the majors. Pratto's MLB story isn't over, and his spring made sure of that.

Maikel Garcia's 18.9% walk rate

Most of Garcia's perceived value in 2023 came from his defense at third base. He made a seamless transition from shortstop in the minors to the hot corner in the majors, leading all American League third basemen with 13 Outs Above Average. But his bat will determine his MLB ceiling. He has the tools to be a valuable leadoff hitter, but his bat waned as the season went along.

Every leadoff hitter's goal is to reach base and help the lineup's second or third batters maximize their run creation. It doesn't matter if it is a hit or a walk; when there are no other runners on base, a single is worth the same as a walk. Garcia had no problem knocking in singles, but left something to be desired in drawing walks.

In 2023, his 7.8% walk rate in the leadoff spot ranked 21st among hitters with 250 plate appearances. That doesn't sound terrible, but it still makes him a below-average leadoff man in that facet. So, imagine my surprise when Garcia started drawing walks at an insane rate in the Venezuela Winter League. He played in 48 games with Tiburones de La Guaira, walking 39 times and striking out 11 times. Even if he carried over a sliver of the .489 OBP he posted there, that would be a great development.

Well, Garcia brought that same plate approach to Arizona this spring. He struck out as often as he walked, posting an 18.9% rate. Plus, his .432 OBP is a big improvement over his .323 mark last season. The competition jumps from spring to Opening Day, but Garcia is clearly more prepared this season. If he continues walking at an 11%+ rate, that raises his offensive ceiling immensely.