Cameron looks to mix it up in Year 2 after breakout season

SURPRISE, Ariz. – It’s hard to overstate just how different this Spring Training is for Noah Cameron, but a quick chat with his Minor League buddies reinforces the idea.

“They’re nervous and just trying to make an impression,” Cameron said. “That was me last year. It’s definitely different now. More about how I prepare as best I can for the season and less about, ‘How do I show these guys what I have and how do I make a good first impression?’”

Cameron showed up to camp last year at “110%,” he said, and throwing harder than he’s ever thrown because he was out to earn a roster spot. He certainly showed he was capable of one, even though he began the season at Triple-A Omaha. When the Royals called on him at the end of April for his debut, he took the opportunity and ran with it, culminating in a stellar rookie season with a 2.99 ERA in 24 starts and a fourth-place finish for American League Rookie of the Year. He was, in many ways, the hero of a rotation ravaged by injuries and lacking depth for most of the season.

In 2026, Cameron appears to have an inside track toward the fifth rotation spot based on what he proved last year. That doesn’t mean it’s a lock; there are a number of pitchers building up as starters who could force the coaching staff into a tough decision.

“We have so many guys here, so I’m definitely not taking anything for granted,” Cameron said. “I still have to earn that spot every day like anybody does. It’s never guaranteed. I’m trying to come in every day and trying to get better and not let guys jump me, not let guys beat me out. Earn that spot every day.”

What Cameron can do is be more intentional with his spring. He said veteran starter Michael Wacha reminded him of that in the first few days of camp.

“Obviously, you want to pitch well, but maybe that’s not necessarily what you need at that point,” Cameron said. “It’s cool to not have to worry so much about that. I want to perform still, but last year I was living and dying by what my numbers were. I don’t have to do that this year.”

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This offseason was the first time in a few years that Cameron wasn’t working on adding a pitch or tweaking his current arsenal. Instead, it was more about getting his body right and refining his pitches. He wanted to get his changeup in a better spot with the feel and metrics. Fastball command is always a big thing for Cameron so he doesn’t waste pitches. And he worked on throwing his cutter backdoor to righties to open things up and stay unpredictable.

The different looks were at the top of his offseason list knowing that hitters are going to be adjusting to him in his sophomore season, and he’ll have to learn how to adjust back.

“I’m excited for that matchup, of learning how to notice the adjustments early and reading hitters a little bit better,” Cameron said. “I’ll be ready for it. With five pitches, I can do different things. Giving different looks, different shapes, and not necessarily going changeup or curveball with two strikes. Maybe throwing a few more fastballs, which I tend to stay away from a whole lot. Doing different things and learning different ways to get guys out.”

Perhaps more important than anything was Cameron’s focus on his body and making sure he’ll be ready for the workload that comes with a full Major League season. Between Triple-A and the big leagues last year, Cameron threw 171 innings, by far the most in his career.

He’s had injuries throughout his Minor League career, so the Royals will enter this season cognizant of that but not necessarily limiting his workload until he gives them a reason to – much like last year when he skipped a start in late August to manage arm fatigue.

“I think that’s his biggest growth,” pitching coach Brian Sweeney said. “‘Now that I just did that, going into the offseason, what does it look like? How do I get my rest but also how do I get stronger and get better?’ Those are important things. The pitching stuff – he knows what he’s doing when he’s 60 feet, 6 inches away [from the plate]. He really knows what he’s doing. But it’s the innings. ‘How can I stay healthy? How can I use the modalities – medical and strength and conditioning – to get me through a Major League season?’ Because that’s ultimately what it is. We need him for 33 starts. What does that look like in Year 2?”