As spring training approaches for the Kansas City Royals, excitement is in the air, but let's be clear: the statistics from these exhibition games can often be misleading. It's a well-known fact that pitchers, particularly those with more experience, may struggle during this period as they focus on experimenting with new pitches or perfecting old ones. Meanwhile, hitters frequently find themselves lagging behind, as they face young and less seasoned pitchers who may look impressive against them.
Some players, however, are largely unaffected by poor performances during both the Cactus and Grapefruit League seasons. For instance, established stars like Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, newly-extended Maikel Garcia, and Vinnie Pasquantino are unlikely to lose their starting positions, even if their spring training stats aren't stellar.
Yet, there are exceptions. For certain players teetering on the edge of securing a spot on the big league roster or striving to convert bench roles into regular positions, spring training can be pivotal. Here are three Royals players who stand to gain significantly from impressive performances this spring.
Michael Massey: A Rising Star in Need of a Breakout Spring
Michael Massey had an impressive showing in the 2025 Cactus League, boasting a remarkable .408 batting average with a .483 on-base percentage, six doubles, one triple, and six runs batted in across 19 games. However, this strong performance did not translate to the regular season, where he struggled due to an ankle injury that sidelined him for over two months. Ultimately, Massey concluded his fourth season in the majors with a disappointing .244 average, a lowly .268 on-base percentage, and a mere three homers alongside 20 RBIs in 77 games.
Looking ahead, unless the Royals manage to trade for Brendan Donovan from St. Louis, Massey will find himself in competition with Jonathan India for the starting second base position. To secure a spot on Opening Day, he must demonstrate the kind of hitting prowess he displayed two years ago, when he hit 14 home runs with a respectable .259 average, and again in 2023, where he hit another 15 home runs.
Héctor Neris: A Veteran's Fight for a Spot
The Royals have recently welcomed veteran reliever Héctor Neris to the team. He signed a minor league contract and received an invitation to spring training, where he will compete for a spot in an already competent bullpen as pitchers and catchers report on February 11.
Neris faces a challenging uphill battle. His performance in 2025 was not up to par compared to his previous year, where he was seen as a viable option for the Royals at the trade deadline after achieving 10 wins and saving 18 games in 2024 while playing for both the Cubs and Astros. Last season, however, he struggled significantly, allowing 25 runs (20 earned) in just 26.2 innings, which resulted in a troubling 6.75 ERA. Additionally, he faced an alarming walk rate, issuing walks to 12.9% of the batters he faced. Given this context, Neris must have a strong showing in spring training; otherwise, he risks not making the club and potentially facing a difficult journey to latch on with another MLB team.
Dairon Blanco: The Pressure is On
After a brief stint in the majors in 2022, Dairon Blanco established himself as a reliable option off the bench for the Royals. He showcased his speed by stealing 24 bases in 2023 and 31 in 2024, boasting a solid .258 batting average in both seasons. Many anticipated that he would fill a crucial reserve role last year.
Unfortunately, injuries derailed his plans. A right Achilles issue limited Blanco to just three games in March, kept him out for the entire month of April and much of May, and he did not return to the major league lineup after June 1, spending the rest of the season in Triple-A Omaha. Despite putting up a decent .253/.332/.405 line with 32 steals and eight homers over 77 games with the Storm Chasers, it wasn’t enough to earn him a call-up to Kansas City, especially considering the underwhelming performance from the Royals' outfield last season.
The Royals’ acquisitions of outfielders Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas have further complicated Blanco’s future with the team. As the competition for the backup outfielder and late-inning baserunning specialist role heats up – potentially pitting him against Tyler Tolbert – it’s clear that Blanco needs to impress during spring training if he hopes to secure a spot on the roster come Opening Day in Atlanta.
