Royals Review
\"A dim view of humanity\" -Lee Judge
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Kansas City Royals news: Bobby Witt Jr. wins the Heart and Hustle Award
Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr. becomes the first player ever to win the MLB Heart & Hustle Award three times, a honor that recognizes passion, teamwork and community impact. The award, voted on by fans, alumni and players, highlights Witt’s consistent performance and leadership over his first five MLB seasons. The article also notes new Royals assistant hitting coach Hunter Mense’s sports‑psychology background and outlines free‑agent targets like Taylor Ward, while mentioning recent league moves and off‑field news.
More Royals Chase Post-2026 Hardware, Kansas City Adds Hitting Coach
The Royals eye post‑2026 upgrades as AL MVP finalist Bobby Witt Jr. joins Silver Slugger peers Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone. A new hitting coach—formerly with the Giants and tied to Kansas City—takes over as the team evaluates free‑agent targets like Kris Bubic and Shane Bieber using FanGraphs contract data. Meanwhile, prospects Angeibel Gomez, Zion Rose and Justin Lamkin earn spots in the Arizona Fall League’s Fall Stars Game, and minor‑league free agents such as Alec Marsh move on. The podcast breaks down value, risk, and who the Royals should sign first.
The Royals’ 2026 All-Prospect Team
The Royals Review unveils its 2026 All‑Prospect Team, spotlighting top minor‑league talent across Kansas City’s system. Catcher Blake Mitchell earns first‑team honors after a .234/.414/.459 line with 23 homers, 27 steals and strong defense for Quad Cities, while Ramon Ramirez lands on the second team. First baseman Brett Squires claims the top spot after posting a .271/.339/.553 slash line with 25 homers between Double‑A and Omaha, with Derlin Figueroa taking second‑team nod. At second base, 27‑year‑old Peyton Wilson secures first‑team recognition for his .276/.358/.433 performance with the Storm Chasers. The piece also lists honorable mentions and notes each prospect’s likely promotion path for next season.
Kansas City Royals news: Mense, Silver Sluggers, and Royals HOF, Oh my!
The Royals announce former Blue Jays hitting coordinator Hunter Mense as assistant hitting coach, joining Marcus Thames and offensive coordinator Connor Dawson after Alec Zumwalt’s move to the minors. Meanwhile, three Royals—Bobby Witt Jr., outfielder Jac Caglianone and rookie catcher Carter Jensen—are named American League Silver Slugger finalists, highlighting the team’s offensive talent. The piece also notes Jensen’s upcoming role lighting the Plaza Lights on Nov. 26 and discusses offseason needs for a right‑handed center‑field bat and a rebuilt bullpen.
Royals add Hunter Mense as assistant hitting coach
The Kansas City Royals announce former Giants hitting coach Hunter Mense as their new assistant hitting coach. Mense, a Liberty, Mo., and Mizzou alum, spent a year with San Francisco after stints in the Marlins, Padres and Blue Jays systems, helping the Jays clinch a 2025 pennant. Under his guidance, the Giants posted a 4.13 runs‑per‑game average, the fifth‑lowest in MLB. The Royals reassigned Alec Zumwalt to minor‑league duties, keeping him as Director of Hitting Performance, and will pair Mense with assistants Connor Dawson and Marcus Thames. Kansas City aims to build on its 4.26 runs‑per‑game last season after a sluggish road offense.
Three Royals named Silver Slugger finalists
Three Kansas City Royals—shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., rookie catcher Carter Jensen, and outfielder Jac Caglianone—make the 2026 American League Silver Slugger finalists. Witt, who posted a .281/.359/.441 line with 18 homers and 45 steals, aims for a historic third consecutive award. Jensen set a Royals rookie catcher record with 27 homers and 64 extra‑base hits, challenging veteran Salvador Perez’s legacy. Caglianone, a .289 hitter with 23 home runs and an August .411/.429/.684 burst, could become the franchise’s first outfielder winner since Willie Wilson. Winners are announced Nov. 17, with competition from stars like Zach Neto, Kevin McGonigle, Mike Trout and Cody Bellinger. The Royals join four other clubs fielding three or more finalists despite a disappointing season.
My 2026 Royals Hall of Fame ballot
The author debates the 2026 Royals Hall of Fame ballot, where 12 former players are eligible but voters can pick only five and a 75% threshold is required. He argues 11 of the 12 deserve induction except Ian Kennedy, yet realistic odds favor only three or four winners. His personal top four are Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Wade Davis, highlighting Davis's historic relief work (1.18 ERA, only three homers allowed 2014‑16). He also notes recent losses of Jarrod Dyson and Yordano Ventura from prior ballots and reflects on the leadership roles of Salvador Pérez, Hosmer and Cain in the mid‑2010s Royals. The piece wrestles with how to rally voters around a limited slate.
Kansas City Royals news: Michael Massey was a huge success in 2026
Second baseman Michael Massey turned a shaky 2025 into a breakout 2026, earning a spot as an American League Gold Glove finalist and posting his best offensive numbers yet, solidifying the Royals' outlook at second base for 2027. The article also notes Bobby Witt Jr.’s repeat MVP finalist nod, 17‑year‑old outfielder Angeibel Gomez’s .306/.390/.444 line in the Arizona Fall League, and mentions other rising talents like Zion Rose and Justin Lamkin. Royals fans get a quick rundown of the team’s offseason buzz, from potential bullpen upgrades to free‑agent targets.
Alex Lange among 12 Royals to become minor league free agents
Twelve Kansas City Royals prospects, including reliever Alex Lange, hit minor‑league free agency as of September 2, 2026. Lange, who posted a 6.75 ERA in 59 MLB games this season, joins former Royals left‑hander Scott Alexander (3.36 career ERA), 2020 draftee Christian Chamberlain, and veterans like Matt Moore and Vince Velásquez. All become eligible after six seasons without a 40‑man roster spot, joining a total of 504 players nationwide entering free agency this offseason. The list highlights each player's recent performance and career notes, offering a snapshot of talent the Royals could lose or re‑sign.
Bobby Witt Jr. was robbed of another Gold Glove
Bobby Witt Jr., last year’s Platinum Glove winner and the league’s top defensive shortstop by every advanced metric, was snubbed for the 2026 American League Gold Glove, which went to Tampa Bay’s Taylor Walls. Witt posted the highest combined Defensive Runs Saved and Fielding Run Value (AVGDEF) among shortstops, logging 1,209 innings with +8 DRS and +17 FRV, while Walls had a mixed rating. The author argues that Rawlings’ voting—75% manager‑coach votes—favored the division‑winning Rays over a struggling Royals team, highlighting the role of team success in the outcome. Despite the loss, Witt’s defensive excellence remains undeniable.
Kansas City Royals news: Let free agency begin!
The Royals eye a busy off‑season as they aim to boost offense while rebuilding the bullpen and starting rotation. Michael Massey’s breakout season and Nick Loftin’s Gold‑Glove‑finalist versatility at third base give Kansas City a solid core, but front office still wants more firepower at second base and extra bat depth. Analyst David Lesky notes a potential Ian Happ signing for defensive upside despite concerns about his split stats versus left‑handed pitching. Rookie catcher Carter Jensen joins an elite historical list with 27+ homers and a 120 OPS+, while Maikel Garcia’s injury woes keep Loftin’s multi‑position value high. The article also touches on broader MLB moves, from salary‑cap delays to Japanese free‑agent signing deadlines.
Remembering Danny Jackson’s World Series immaculate inning
On October 24, 1985, Kansas City’s 23‑year‑old left‑hander Danny Jackson delivered a historic moment in Game 5 of the World Series, striking out Terry Pendleton, Tom Nieto and Brian Harper on nine consecutive pitches to record the first immaculate inning in World Series history. Jackson, who had sparked a comeback against Toronto earlier that season, pitched a seven‑inning effort that gave the Royals a 4‑1 lead against the St. Louis Cardinals. The article also notes that the term "immaculate inning" wasn’t coined until around 2000 and lists the other Royals who have achieved the feat: Jeff Montgomery (1990) and Stan Belinda (1994).
Filling Royals Hall of Fame Ballot, Venting on Gold Glove Awards
Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco debate the Royals Hall of Fame ballot on the latest podcast, each naming five candidates. Milham backs Greg Holland, Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, Carlos Beltrán and Lorenzo Cain, while Greco picks Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Cain, Davis and Zack Greinke, noting he may still revise his list before the Nov. 16 deadline. They discuss the crowded 2014‑15 era, Jarrod Dyson’s borderline case, and the puzzling shortstop Gold Glove where Bobby Witt Jr. lost to Taylor Walls despite leading in outs‑above‑average. The episode also touches on impending Japanese free‑agent signings, a possible lockout, salary‑cap comments from Rob Manfred, and both hosts agree on Matt Quatraro’s future.
Top MLB free agents and predictions on where they’ll end up
Free agency opens after the NLCS, and Royals Review ranks the top 30 available players with salary forecasts. Pitcher Tarik Skubal, a back‑to‑back Cy Young winner limited by elbow surgery, tops the list; the author predicts a 9‑year, $365 million deal with the Dodgers. Other key targets include Freddy Peralta (projected 5‑year, $115 M with the Cubs), outfielder Randy Arozarena (4‑year, $108 M to Philadelphia), and outfielder Seiya Suzuki (4‑year, $104 M to Seattle). The piece also outlines potential suitors and contract outlooks amid looming labor‑rule changes.
Kansas City Royals News: Witt named finalist for MVP
Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is named an American League MVP finalist alongside Junior Caminero and Yordan Alvarez. Witt posted a .281 average with 18 homers, 54 RBIs, 33 doubles and a career‑high 67 walks over 143 games, earning a 6.7 WAR and leading qualified AL shortstops in slugging (.441) and OPS (.800). His elite defense bolsters the case after previous second‑ (2024) and fourth‑place (2025) finishes. The article also notes minor‑league Gold Glove winner Carson Roccaforte and other award finalists.
Bobby Witt Jr. named finalist for AL MVP award
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. becomes a finalist for the AL MVP, his second career nod, after posting a .281/.359/.441 line with 18 homers, 45 steals and a league‑leading 7.0 fWAR. He ranked in the top ten for hits, runs, doubles and Runs Created, and led AL defenders with +24 Outs Above Average, earning a Gold Glove finalist spot. Witt joins Yordan Alvarez and Junior Caminero for the award, with the winner slated for Nov. 12 on MLB Network. The article also notes Royals rookie Carter Jensen’s snub for AL ROY.
Playing Picollo: What it takes to make a deal
In a mock trade exercise on The Royals Rundown Podcast, GM J.J. Picollo (played by Jeremy Greco) tries to land Angels left‑hander Reid Detmers for Kansas City, offering prospect David Shields (LHP, #4), catcher Blake Mitchell (#5) and RHP Jack Slightom (#12). The deal closes with Shields, Mitchell and Slightom heading to the Angels, giving the Royals a new rotation but thinning their farm. The article breaks down each prospect: Shields dazzles with a 2.48 SIERA in High‑A and Midwest League Pitcher of the Year honors; Mitchell shows power (23 HR) and speed (27 SB) but a high strikeout rate; Slightom remains an unproven project. Four of six simulated deals succeed, illustrating the delicate balance of value and need in offseason negotiations.
Former Royals outfielder Lou Piniella among eight candidates on Contemporary Baseball Era Hall of Fame ballot
The National Baseball Hall of Fame has released the eight nominees for the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot, set to decide the 2027 Hall of Fame class. Former Royals outfielder Lou Piniella – 1969 Rookie of the Year, 1,705 hits, three‑time Manager of the Year and 1990 World Series champion – is among the four managers and four executives listed. The other candidates are executives Sandy Alderson, Brian Sabean, Ted Turner, Bill White and managers Dusty Baker, Bruce Bochy, and Joe Maddon, all with multiple postseason runs and championships. Results are scheduled for Dec. 6, 2026.
Greinke, Hosmer, Moustakas join Royals Hall of Fame ballot
The 2027 Royals Hall of Fame ballot includes several standout members of the 2014‑15 championship squads. First‑time nominees Zack Greinke, Eric Hosmer, Ian Kennedy and Mike Moustakas join carry‑overs Carlos Beltrán, Billy Butler, Lorenzo Cain, Wade Davis, Alcides Escobar, Kelvin Herrera, Greg Holland and Joakim Soria. The list highlights Greinke’s Cy Young‑caliber seasons, Hosmer’s clutch postseason home runs, Cain’s ALCS MVP dash, Davis’s dominant 2014‑16 bullpen work and Escobar’s Gold Glove‑year. Fans can now vote for the Royals Hall of Fame Class of 2027.
2026 Royals season in review: Salvador Perez
Salvador Perez’s 2026 Royals season ends up a bittersweet finale. After a stellar WBC win as captain of Team Venezuela, his MLB performance plummets – a .595 OPS through the All‑Star break (41% below league average) and a season‑long 77 wRC+ with –1.1 fWAR, the lowest of his career. He appears in only 44 games behind the plate, spends most time as DH or first baseman, yet showcases a solid 46‑of‑65 challenge success rate. The author predicts a reduced, platoon role for 2027 and possibly his last year in Kansas City. Despite the decline, Perez’s leadership and love for daily play remain evident.
Kansas City Royals news: Arizona Fall League updates
Royals prospects shine in the Arizona Fall League as 17‑year‑old outfielder Angeibel Gomez, the league’s second‑youngest player, posts a .333/.421/.485 slash line with four steals in nine games. Top‑10 draft pick Zion Rose reflects on his whirlwind debut, while veteran Nick Loftin, filling in for the injured Garcia, records a solid .240/.322/.388 line and leads the AL in defensive metrics at third base, positioning him as a Gold Glove candidate. The post also notes upcoming roster moves, including the posting of Japanese pitcher Kaima Taira, Korean infielder Si‑Hwan Roh, and other offseason headlines.
Kansas City Royals news: Congrats to the champs
David Lesky breaks down how the Brewers’ strikeout‑heavy pitching helped them clinch the 2026 World Series and what the Kansas City Royals can steal—more high‑strikeout arms like Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic, and tighter bullpen work. The piece also features Craig Brown’s "Total Baseball" comparison to the 2015 Royals, MLB Trade Rumors’ offseason targets (Vinnie Pasquantino, Michael Massey, Kyle Isbel), and a speculative Bobby Witt Jr. trade to Boston. Plus quick rundowns on the Brewers’ championship parade, Dodgers’ 2027 odds, free‑agent rankings, and other sports headlines.
Brewers Win It All, Royals Offseason Moves & the New Ballpark Survey
The Milwaukee Brewers capture their first World Series title, with William Contreras named MVP and a hotly debated bullpen strategy sparking extended debate. The podcast then shifts to the Kansas City Royals’ offseason plan: a key trade, free‑agent signings like Taylor Ward, and 40‑man roster cuts detailed in Part Three of “Playing Piccolo.” Hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco also dissect the new ballpark fan survey, evaluate a fast‑rising 17‑year‑old in the Arizona Fall League, and argue fiercely for baseball’s radio presence. Listeners get a preview of the Royals’ winter outlook and are invited to weigh in on roster ideas.
Prepare yourself for a flurry of intense free agency and trade activity
The article warns that the 2026 MLB offseason will explode with free‑agency and trade activity despite an imminent lockout when the current CBA expires on Dec. 1. History shows teams poured $1.7 billion into November deals last time, with six nine‑figure contracts—including Corey Seager and Max Scherzer—signed before the lockout. Kansas City Royals GM J.J. Picollo confirms the club plans to move quickly, hoping to secure key pieces before any work stoppage. Expect a frenzied November market as clubs race to lock in talent before negotiations stall.
What is your off-season plan for the Royals for 2027?
The Royals Review asks fans to devise an off‑season plan for Kansas City after a 93‑loss 2026 season. With 35 players on the 40‑man roster—including catchers Carter Jensen and Salvador Perez, infielders like Bobby Witt Jr., and pitchers such as Michael Wacha—the article lists pending roster moves, arbitration salaries, contract options (e.g., $13 M club option on closer Carlos Estévez), and a $30 M budget ceiling. Readers are invited to choose who to add, cut, non‑tender, or trade, and which free agents to pursue to push the Royals back into contention before the December labor deadline.
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