SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Royals faced the Reds at Surprise Stadium on Sunday in their final game before a much-anticipated first off-day since pitchers and catchers reported. On the docket Monday is a golf outing that has many in camp buzzing in anticipation.

So, why won’t 25-year-old utility prospect Nick Loftin, who sports a 4 handicap, be participating?

“I have a one-month-old,” he said. “Unfortunately I don’t get to play in the Royals' extravaganza. I’ve had to kind of hang up those cleats, so to speak. I miss my golf, but I’m excited to hang out with my son tomorrow.”

Golfer-parents everywhere can relate.

Loftin had plenty of reasons to be happy going into the off-day, however. In addition to getting to spend time with his son, who turned six weeks old on Sunday, the little guy was in attendance to see Dad hit his first home run of the spring, a two-run shot during a five-run third inning that sent the Royals to a 7-3 win over the Reds.

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“It was awesome,” Loftin said. “Second game for my son, definitely it’s memorable, for sure. It felt good, I’m feeling really good at the plate and glad to have my family out there supporting me.

“It means everything. You got to have a good support system, not just in the game of baseball but back at home. They know how important the game of baseball is, not just to me but our family in general. So just having them there through the ups and downs is just awesome and it makes my life a lot easier.”

Loftin, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the club’s No. 5 prospect, is competing for a utility role with Garrett Hampson, among others. It’s too early in camp to know whether he’ll make the Opening Day roster, but manager Matt Quatraro likes what he’s seen.

“Nick’s a good hitter,” Quatraro said. “He puts up good at-bats regardless of righty/lefty. He’s very composed in the box, and I think the power will develop.”

Loftin, who got the start at third base on Sunday, has also seen time at first and second this spring. He played primarily in the infield for Triple-A Omaha last season, but he is two years removed from getting 62 starts in center field between Double-A and Triple-A. His glove plays all over the diamond.

“I just want to be in the lineup,” Loftin said. “Whatever helps the team win, wherever in the lineup, I’m all for it.”

Wacha makes second start
What does a guy like veteran right-hander Michael Wacha bring to a relatively young Royals pitching staff?

“Tons of stuff, man,” Quatraro said. “First of all, he’s a competitor. He’s goes out there and he gives you everything he’s got every time. He throws a lot of strikes, challenges guys, has a plus changeup, and behind the scenes, I mean, he’s a real genuine leader.”

Wacha, who joined the Royals on a one-year deal with a player option for 2025 in December, made his second start of the spring on Sunday, allowing a run on three hits with one strikeout in two innings.

“Working on a few things out there, so I maybe went to some things in different counts that normally I wouldn’t do, but this is the time to try those things,” Wacha said. “Overall, I was pleased with it and taking away that I have some things to work on, for sure.”

The lone run Wacha allowed came on a home run by Jose Barrero in the second inning. Blake Dunn followed with a double, but Wacha promptly picked off Dunn at second base.

“It’s stuff that we’re working on in the backfields, and its cool to bring it into the game and see it executed and be able to get outs on the basepaths,” Wacha said. “Those always feel extra good.”

Worth noting from the field
Bobby Witt Jr. took Frankie Montas deep for his second home run of the spring on Sunday, sending one deep onto the grass berm in left-center at Surprise Stadium.

Salvador Perez went 3-for-3 with an RBI.

“I’m excited to see that. If we can sign me up for that every day, we’ll be in good shape,” Quatraro said. “Those guys are going to be a big part of what we do if we have success.”

Quotable Q
“He’ll go anywhere. He’ll catch. He’ll pitch -- he will. That’s him as a person. If I’m not mistaken he had one inning at first base before he went there in the World Series, so he’s fearless. He’ll do whatever whenever.” -- Quatraro, when asked whether slugging outfielder Hunter Renfroe could step in at first base in a pinch