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MLB.com’s Anne Rogers talks with Kansas City Royals outfielder Issac Collins after his spring debut.
“First game of the spring, so expectations aren’t super high — I didn’t really have many, to be honest,” Collins said. “I was just glad to get back in there and get the adrenaline going again.”
Kansas City intentionally delayed Collins’ initial build-up to games because he had platelet-rich plasma injections in both of his knees to address patella tendinitis, something he started dealing with at the end of last year. The Royals knew about it when they acquired him over the offseason, and given the length of Spring Training and that Collins would get ample at-bats anyway throughout the end of February and in March, they didn’t think there was any reason to rush him into it when the spring schedule started this past weekend.
Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was named the 2025 Lou Gehrig Award winner by MLB.
The award, given annually to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the giving character of baseball Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, was awarded to Witt Jr. in response to his advocacy for organizations that raise awareness in the fight against ALS.
“Bobby’s talent and impact on the field are obvious, but all of us here are so proud of the positive light he’s become off the field and in our community,” Royals President of Baseball Operations/General Manager J.J. Picollo said. “An award named after Lou Gehrig is an incredible honor and we’re thrilled that Bobby’s heart, care and generosity continue to serve as an example for others.”
Witt Jr. joins Royals catcher Salvador Perez and former third baseman George Brett as the third Royal to win the award. Perez won it in 2021, while Brett was named the award’s recipient in 1986.
His fellow outfielder, Jac Caglianone, let one fly 460’ against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.
Rogers also gave her playoff prediction as the Royals gear up for Opening Day.
MLB.com Royals beat reporter Anne Rogers told KCUR’s Up To Date on Monday that she thinks the Royals could still be in the mix come October.
“I think they have a great chance of making the playoffs. They’re certainly after the division. Y’know the American League Central is kind of wide open, I think I would go with the (Detroit) Tigers for the division just because of their pitching,” Rogers said. “But, I think the Royals, they could make a run, absolutely.”
Pitcher List’s Nick Pollack breaks down the Royals starters and starting prospects, with a quick take on Cole Ragans.
Ragans is a SWATCH with a phenomenal fastball, and there’s more to unlock with his approach to LHB that can propel him to a comfortable spot among the Top 5 SP. The biggest question? His health. A groin strain preceded a three month stint on the IL nursing a rotator cuff strain, and it’s hard to ignore the shadow looming over 2026. That said, Ragans’ three stud starts in his return from the IL to close out the season is as good of an argument as you’ll find to suggest a healthy arm entering the year.
Pollack also stressed the value of Royals starter Seth Lugo’s curveball. Royals Keep’s Kevin O’Brien looked at the pitch very closely himself. David Lesky also had some Lugo evaluation over at Inside the Crown.
Ragans sat down with MLB Network’s Jake Peavy on his 2025 season and where he is today.
“I feel great. I feel as good as I ever have, ready to roll. Got the few starts in there at the end of the year, going into the offseason with a clear conscience but I feel great, ready to roll,” Ragans said.
“There’s some positives to take away from last year. I obviously had the couple of injuries, so just learning a little more about myself. I feel like we never stop learning, so just figuring out the little things that kind of keep me going, keep me healthy, add in some little things, take some little things out just to keep the body where it needs to be.”
Bleacher Report Zachary D. Rymer looks at a sophomore Cubs player the Royals should consider trading for.
The Royals look like a major sleeper in the broader AL landscape, but they’re pretty much always in need of more hitters. And with Jonathan India at second base and at least two question marks in the outfield, they could use someone versatile.
Shaw is a third baseman by trade, but he has ample pro experience at second base and has recently been prepping for a move to the outfield. And while his defense carried him as a rookie for most of 2025, he ultimately came through with a .839 OPS in the second half.
Can we see more for Royals outfielder Kyle Isbel at the plate? Kansas City Star’s Jaylon Thompson found some folks who think so.
“I feel like I’m a critic and I feel like I can always be better,” Isbel said. “Never really satisfied with what I’m doing. Just want to be better for the team and I want to win more games.” Royals hitting coach Alec Zumwalt was impressed with Isbel last season. He believes the offensive changes can lead to more success. “I have never asked him to try to hit for power,” Zumwalt said. “His mindset has always been, you know, I think from the very beginning is that you’re a line-drive hitter. You run into one here or there and that’s gonna happen. You’re a line-drive hitter and you need to be on base. That’s how you are going to be the most valuable version of yourself.”
Royals Keep’s Cory Sparks is optimistic about Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino in 2026.
The Atlanta Braves are looking to create a multi-team, multi-sport regional sports network. For now, they will produce and distribute more than 140 games this season under their own product.
The Tampa Bay Rays announced Florida’s “conveyance of state land” related to the new ballpark and Hillsborough College.
Baseball’s top prospect Konnor Griffin had a monster day against the Boston Red Sox.
Texas Rangers top prospect Sebastian Walcott has elbow surgery and will be sidelined for at least most of the season.
The Braves gave Chris Sale a pay bump for the 2027 season.
Under the Knife looks at another injured Minnesota Twins starter.
Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour comes with the best kind of $5 million price tag.
What is the fate of Las Vegas Raiders defensive star Maxx Corsby this offseason?
UFL is bringing some interesting special teams wrinkles to the league.
Sundance Film Festival sets the first dates in their move to Colorado.
Viewership numbers are WAY up for the Olympics.
A Topeka event in May will remember the 72nd anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Topeka Board of Education United States Supreme Court case.
Today’s song of the day is Subterranean Homesick Blues by Bob Dylan.