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Jaylon Thompson talks to Kyle Isbel about how to handle the new dimension at the K defensively.
Isbel won’t feel much difference in straightaway center field. However, there will be some adjustments made in the gaps. He will have new angles and routes to track down the baseball. It’s something he is prepared to learn. Still, it won’t change his mentality to aggressively track the baseball in the air.
“It’s still a big field,” Isbel said. “They didn’t really touch center field for the most part. So it’s really the same. I think it’s gonna maybe have less triples — more than anything — with the lines being a little more brought in.”
Speaking of the new dimensions, Pete Grathoff takes a look at progress on the new fences at the K.
Who needs closer fences? Jac Caglianone blasted a home run 460 feet in the game yesterday.
“He had a really good slider working for him, and I knew that he got Carter [Jensen] on three in a row,” Caglianone said. “So when I got 0-2, I was like, ‘Wouldn’t be surprised if he went to that again,’ but I also still stayed on the heater. Thankfully, I got one just up enough to put a good swing on it.”
Bobby Witt Jr. was awarded the 2025 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award for character.
Craig Brown writes about whether Bailey Falter can add velocity to his repertoire.
Touching 96 mph is a nice goal and everything, but I feel like it’s important to note that Falter has topped 95 mph with his fastballs just twice in his major league career. He did it one time last season, on a sinker, right before he was traded to Kansas City. Of course, all these guys are looking to add velocity these days…and visiting different pitching labs and training facilities with their own coaches to find that edge that will get them a tick more. Especially guys who know they are fighting for a spot on the club and the rotation. This will be an interesting development to monitor going forward.
David Lesky writes about Seth Lugo’s first spring start.
Nothing was in the middle. Last year, after the break, it felt like he was either missing big out of the zone or leaving a pitch right in the middle of the plate to get crushed. I think if my math is right, he’ll make one more start in Royals camp before leaving for the WBC, though I may be off on that, depending on how the Royals set that up. But I’ll be curious to watch the command and that slider in his next outing. It’s easy to lament giving him $20 million per year for the next two, and it would hurt if he pitches like he did in August again, but if he can give the Royals even just league average for 175 innings per year, that’s a reasonable cost to pay for that.
Buster Olney at ESPN ranks Bobby Witt Jr. as the top shortstop in the game.
And Witt’s drive to improve is relentless. J.J. Picollo, the head of baseball operations for the Royals, wrote in a text, “[Witt] is so easy to deal with because he takes such good care of himself that we have little-to-no concern. More of what we discuss with him is how we can keep him fresh and strong throughout the season.
“Some of the finer points of base stealing are things that are always being discussed, but he is clearly a very good baserunner.”
He is clearly very good at everything.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Keep wonders if the curve is the key to Lugo’s success.
Steve Kraske at KCUR talks Royals with Anne Rogers.
The Braves sign Chris Sale to an extension through 2027 with an option for 2028.
The Yankees are still open to adding a platoon bat.
The Padres shut down pitcher Matt Waldron after a hemorrhoid procedure.
Who is the most interesting non-roster invitee for each team?
Top Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin is turning heads in camp.
Angels owner Arte Moreno says fans don’t really care about winning that much.
What are teams paying per-win in free agency these days?
Tarik Skubal will only pitch once for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Would you let Jacob Misiorowski throw a fastball to hit an apple on your head?
The state of Florida grants land for a possible Rays stadium.
How Salt Lake City is becoming a frontrunner for MLB expansion. [$]
The Braves announce a TV home with BravesVision and may be looking to build a regional sports network with the Hawks, Grizzlies, and Predators.
ESPN will air 25 Savannah Banana games on TV.
The NFL is not expected to get a proposal to ban the “tush push.”
Bodø/Glimt pulls off one of the biggest upsets in Champions League history, knocking out Inter Milan.
An FCC study shows TV station consolidation has led to lower quality for viewers.
Warner Bros. Discover says Paramount has raised its bid to $31 per share.
Do we really need this much protein?
Your song of the day is Sebadoah with On Fire.