Overreaction or reality: Keller's, Cuas', Garcia's springs so far

The KC Royals are now on the back half for their spring training schedule. The team is beginning to move players to their respective minor-league levels, inching towards identifying their critical contributors during the 2023 season. The Royals have discovered their rhythm this spring training, leading the Cactus League standings by a wide margin. Fans can discount spring training wins and stats all they want, but these players are still showing positive signs for their 2023 season. With new coaches, a new manager, and the same building blocks, there is still a positive feeling about these Royals past Opening Day.

The season beyond Opening Day is what worries most fans. There have been plenty of springs where the team racks up wins, individual players look good, and the Royals faithful get optimistic once again. But, as Ted Lasso reiterates, "It's the hope that kills you." This season, there is a fundamental change in the Royals organization, one palpable enough that personnel at all levels notice it. Fans should believe in this spring training success and believe in that change transitioning past Opening Day.

That belief is what brings us to these three players. These players had stand-out spring showings, low expectations, or a combination. They benefit from some hot starts, but will their individual performances continue into the season? 

Overreaction or reality: Brad Keller is back.

If there is any spring training performance I want to believe in the most, it is pitcher Brad Keller's. Keller improved in many ways from the 2021 campaign, but he still has the seventh-highest ERA among pitchers who threw 200-plus innings in the past two seasons. He struggled mightily at points in 2022 and ended the season 6-14 with a 5.09 ERA. Keller was candid about his struggles the last two seasons, which relegated him to the bullpen late last season.

"I didn't have great success the last two years. Something's got to change. I needed to venture out of my comfort zone, figure out what's going on, what's going to allow me to get better. I couldn't keep doing the same stuff. And I'm happy with what I landed on."

Fans often hear the phrase "best shape of his life" during spring training. But MLB.com's Anne Rogers noted that "Keller showed up to camp slimmer and stronger" after he worked with Driveline Baseball this offseason. The result? A new-look curveball and revamped arsenal that pitching coach Brian Sweeney described as "impressive" ahead of spring training. 

As of March 10, Keller has been impressive against opposing batters this spring. He has struck out 10 batters, won two starts, and recorded a 3.52 ERA. By every metric, this is the best spring training of Keller's career, and he is again pushing for a rotational role.

"I feel like it's helped me out a lot this spring so far. Not only with the pitches, but the command of everything has gotten a lot tighter. I feel like that's how I used to pitch, just moving fast and pounding the zone. So, it's been cool to get back to that and feel that again."

Keller talks about returning to a certain feeling or getting back to something. That return could be his 2018-2020 form, where Keller went 21-23 with a 3.50 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Keller looked like a solid future arm for the Royals not long ago. If the player believes in himself, then the coaches do, then the fans should have some faith. 

Verdict: Reality

Overreaction or reality: Jose Cuas will have a career year.

Keeping it with the pitchers, pitcher Jose Cuas is having a shutout spring training, as in "not given up a run in four games" shutout spring. The former infielder debuted last season and shows no signs of slowing down in 2023.

Royals fans know how much adversity Cuas has overcome to be in Kansas City today. Cuas climbed through the Royals' minor-league system, and fans remembered him because of the different pitch delivery. The delivery might look funky, but Cuas' results are anything but. The 28-year-old went 4-2 with a 3.58 ERA in his debut season, regularly getting out of inherited jams for the Royals.

Cuas has mostly gone under the radar this spring training simply because his appearances have been so quick. The reliever has four single-inning appearances this spring, with four strikeouts. Cuas is keeping with the Royals' new mantra, "Raid the Zone," and has not walked a batter this spring either. Cuas' role in 2023 is flexible, especially with the sporadic spring training pitching appearances. He performed best in seventh-inning appearances last season but saw the bulk of his work in the sixth inning. Cuas can be that setup man for the challenging part of Kansas City's relievers, including Scott Barlow and Aroldis Chapman.

It is a small sample size, and it is in spring, but Cuas' spring translating to the regular season is believable. He has a great support system in his family. He is no longer bouncing from team to team. Most of all, he has a season to build off of. Cuas will have to surrender a run eventually, but he can improve his 2022 performance in 2023.

Verdict: Reality