SURPRISE, Ariz. – Following a 9-2 win over the Rangers prospects at Surprise Stadium, Royals prospects were lined up signing some autographs when a few decided to get in line themselves.
What better way to commemorate a Spring Breakout win than having your buddies and teammates sign your cap?
“The vibes were up,” said third baseman Josh Hammond, the Royals’ No. 6 prospect. “We were getting after it. Especially playing in the big stadium and some really good players on my team, and against some really good competition. I was honored to be out there.”
COMPLETE ROYALS PROSPECT COVERAGE
Here are three things that stood out about Spring Breakout win:
1. Cross shines on both sides of the ball
No. 27 prospect Gavin Cross has had a solid big league Spring Training and has looked more and more locked in recently at the plate. That showed up again Friday with his two-run home run in the third inning, putting the Royals on the board. It was crushed – with a 110.1 mph exit velocity – and hit a Statcast-projected 404 feet.
“The pitch before that, I kind of missed it a little bit out front,” Cross said of the cutter he fouled off. “But just sticking to the same approach and going to get the next one worked out well.”
This was after Cross made a standout defensive play at first base in the first inning, snagging a 109 mph liner off the bat of Maxton Martin. Cross, an outfielder, is relearning first base to increase his versatility a bit as he gets closer to the Major Leagues. He hasn’t played the position since college, when he would back up first base later in games as an underclassman.
Not only is he getting used to the speed of the ball going from the grass to the dirt, but he’s getting used to the different gloves he has to wear. He was wearing Jac Caglianone’s first baseman glove last week, but there was just one problem.
“Cags’ hands are huge,” Cross said. “So that’s half the battle. I think he picks up the glove and it’s broken in by the end of the day because he’s so strong.”
On Friday, Cross borrowed one of Vinnie Pasquantino’s gloves, which may have helped Cross snag the liner.
“His glove was money today,” Cross said. “I think Vinnie’s got a little more flair to how he goes about breaking in his glove.”
A good bounce-back year at the upper levels of the Minors could do a ton for Cross’ development. Increasing his versatility will only help, and Friday showed why.
2. Electric arms
Lefty Justin Lamkin (No. 15) showed right away why the Royals selected him No. 71 overall in the MLB Draft last summer and why they chose to have him start Friday’s game. The Texas A&M product tossed three scoreless innings with just one hit allowed, one walk and six strikeouts.
“Getting to start, I thought that was kind of a big deal,” Lamkin said with a smile. “It was a pretty cool experience, and I wanted to take it all in and enjoy the moment. The heart was beating a little faster in the stadium.”
Lamkin’s deceptive delivery was on display, which helped his fastball play up beyond the 94 mph average. But the real stars were his slider and curveball, which kept fooling hitters. They blended a bit on Baseball Savant, but the two pitches registered nine whiffs -- on 10 swings. Overall, Lamkin recorded a 57% whiff rate (12 whiffs on 21 swings).
And then the Royals brought in Kendry Chourio, their No. 3 prospect, who tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. The 18-year-old was lighting up the radar gun, averaging 97.1 mph with his fastball and topping out at 98.5 mph – which is harder than what he threw last season as a 17-year-old in Single-A Columbia.
“I’m very fresh right now,” Chourio said through interpreter Jesús Delgado. “I feel ready to go. Everything I did in the offseason, all my training and weights, it’s showing in my fastball. I really believe in that.”
3. A visit from big leaguers
Around mid-game, into the dugout strolled two big leaguers who aren’t too far removed from the Spring Breakout game. Catcher Carter Jensen, the Royals’ No. 1 prospect and MLB’s No. 18, and starter Noah Cameron paid a visit after their work day was done on the Major League side of camp.
“Not playing [in the Cactus League game] today, I was going to go sit on the couch anyways, so might as well,” said Jensen, who was listed on the first Spring Breakout roster but didn’t play because he’s on the Royals’ 40-man. “... It’s a cool event. I liked playing in it the past couple of years. Was able to go down, just hang out, relax for a little bit and watch some ball.”
Jensen and Cameron talked with some of the older prospects that they’ve played with but wanted to meet the younger prospects who are getting their careers started, like Hammond and Sean Gamble (No. 5).
“They’re awesome,” Hammond said. “For them to come and hang in the dugout with us, just acting like they were part of the team – it was really cool.”