2023 Kansas City Royals Spring Training Program

Bobby Witt Jr.

As you enjoy this amazing ballpark, you will quickly realize why the USA Today named it #1 Spring Training venue in Arizona; and the top fan experience in both the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues!

We’re thrilled to welcome back the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers players, coaches, support staff and YOU- the fans- to Surprise!

If you are a new visitor to the city, you’re in for a real treat! Surprise is a vibrant and growing city; yet we stay true to our foundational strengths of providing a clean, safe and friendly community.

Our award-winning Surprise Recreation Campus hosts festivals, special events and a variety of leisure, arts, cultural and sports-related activities.

Just down the street from the stadium, you will find the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex, one of the premier municipal tennis complexes in the country featuring 25 tennis courts, in addition to indoor racquetball and outdoor pickleball courts.

Plus, our aquatics center and five-acre urban fishing lake attract visitors time and time again.

Surprise is also the proud home of Ottawa University offering an exceptional educational experience and more than 20 collegiate sports programs! Go Spirit!

Nearby you can enjoy hiking or biking the White Tank Mountains. This Sonoran Desert park features trails ranging from easy to strenuous, and overnight camping under clear Arizona skies is a great way to enjoy the largest county-owned park in the United States. The nearby Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium is also a popular year-round destination.

Of course all of this activity will work up your appetite! Good news, as we have some amazing restaurants in town! From burgers and craft beer; to wine and signature cuisine, you’ll find the perfect taste in Surprise!

Our exceptional community amenities, retail and entertainment options, beautiful weather and Southwestern lifestyle, are why we love Surprise and know you will too!

Be sure to Find Your Surprise at ExploreSurprise.com!

Adventure FIND YOUR

Surprise, Arizona is a place to find your fun hiking the beautiful Sonoran desert mountains, playing one of our pristine golf courses, or enjoying our award-winning signature cuisine.

With blogs, itineraries, events and more, we’ll help you “Find Your Surprise” at ExploreSurprise.com

CITY OF SURPRISE

Cecilia A. Covarrubio

Colby Seibert

Michael Sawyer

Jeffrey Hemly

Josef Taylor

Jacob Fenwick

Brady Siebert

Sergio Amavizca

Trenton Lee

David Williams

Douglas McLaws

Matthew Mistler

George Raymond

Iree Nivens

Triggs

Tom O’Neil

Diana Teter

Jackson

Adams

Williams

Paul Moehring

Tamara Jamison

Arlene Q. Santos

Jay Hicks Director

Todd Hornback

Mike Hawkins Director

Herman Orcutt Director

Joe Holcombe

Bill Pupo Director

Tucker Smith Director

Parks & Recreation Department

Holly Osborn

Paul Frie Assistant Director

Shannon Gaul Assistant Director

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

Wayne Turner

The Cactus League Welcomes You!

t is my pleasure to welcome you to Arizona for the 2023 Cactus League season.

For the first time in four years, we are anticipating a “normal” spring training. With disruptions caused by COVID-19 and labor issues, the last three years were challenging for all involved, especially our fans.

You may notice a few changes on the field this spring as MLB incorporates new rules designed to speed the pace of play and generate more action. But one thing hasn’t changed: the blissful experience of spring training in the Sonoran Desert. It remains the best way to spend a March afternoon – especially when they’re shoveling the driveway back home.

Just ask those who flock here from the East, Midwest and Pacific Northwest every spring. Six out of 10 Cactus League attendees come from out of state, according to recent studies by Arizona State University. And a third of those fans have been coming to Arizona for spring training for at least five seasons.

Now that’s loyalty.

What keeps them coming back? With all 10 ballparks within an hour of each other, fans can easily follow their favorite teams on the road and sample the Cactus League’s unique ballparks. Before and after the game, they can enjoy numerous entertainment and outdoor activities, as well as world-class dining and shopping.

It’s been a winning formula for decades and we see no reason to change it. This spring, there is an added attraction: fans can enjoy the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field in Phoenix.

I want to thank a few supporters who help keep Arizona’s spring training industry strong. We are grateful to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority for its robust support of Cactus League facility construction and renovation, ensuring that Arizona’s spring training facilities set the standard in a competitive industry. I also thank each of the Cactus League’s eight host municipalities and the tribal community for their ongoing partnership and their collaboration as we faced the challenges of the last three years.

We couldn’t do it without the stadium volunteers who contribute their time to help you enjoy your day at the ballpark – please take a moment and say hello, because it means the world to these friendly, community-minded folks.

Finally, I salute Play Ball Magazine, a valued partner and the best source for all things Cactus League.

Play Ball!

Chris Calcaterra Cactus League President

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

RULES & REGULATIONS

IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE ATMOSPHERE FOR OUR GUESTS, THE FOLLOWING WILL BE ENFORCED:

• Smoking is not allowed inside any area of the stadium (per provision chapters 9.29.040/9.29.050)

• Firearms or deadly weapons are prohibited.

• Resale of any tickets within 200 feet of any public entrance is prohibited (ars 13-3718).

• Animals are not permitted, with the exception of certified service animals for guests with disabilities.

• No one is allowed on the field of play without proper credentials; such action will result in automatic ejection and subject to arrest.

• All strollers and diaper bags must be accompanied by a child.

• Gates will open approximately 1-1/2 hours prior to event time. Gate times may vary by event.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE PROHIBITED FROM BEING BROUGHT INTO THE STADIUM:

• No coolers, ice chests or glass containers.

• No lawn or legged chairs.

• No alcoholic beverages.

• All items being brought into the stadium must be able to fit under a standard stadium seat, and are subject to search and inspection.

• Beware of objects leaving the playing field!

BACKPACKS/BAGS:

In an effort to enhance public safety, Surprise Stadium has modified its security policy by limiting the size and style of bags allowed in the stadium.

APPROVED BAGS:

• Clear Tote - plastic, vinyl and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”

• Small Clutch Purse - No larger than 5” x 8” with or without a handle or strap

• Plastic Storage Bag - Clear, one (1) gallon, resealable

An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection upon entering. Please limit the number of items you bring to the stadium on event days.

FOOD & BEVERAGE POLICY

Surprise Stadium allows food to be brought into the stadium. The food must be presented in a one-gallon clear ziploc/freezer bag.

• Factory Sealed Bottle of Water – up to 2 (1 liter) factory sealed water bottles per guest.

• Hydroflask and Sports bottles (up to 1 liter) are allowed, with the exception of any glass containers. For convenience, there are water

fountains available to fill up your bottles.

• Single serving juice boxes, baby food and formula will be permitted. No beverages, other than water or boxed juices will be allowed.

• Outside alcoholic beverages (as well as nonalcoholic beer and wine) are not allowed in the park, regardless of container.

*Food and Beverage policy may vary by event.

RAIN OUT POLICY OR GAME CANCELLATION

Refund Policy: There are no refunds or exchanges unless an official game is not played. In the event that 5 innings of one game are not played, except when the home team is in the lead at the end of 4 1/2 innings, the following policy will apply.

If a game for which you purchased tickets through an authorized Surprise Stadium outlet is cancelled, rescheduled, postponed or has restricted capacity that prohibits the specific seats you purchased from being used, the ticket value of the impacted game(s) will be refunded in the same manner by which the ticket(s) were purchased and will be automatically processed within 30 days of the date of the cancelled game. A full refund will be automatically processed to the method of payment used at time of purchase, including service fees (if applicable). Except as expressly stated herein, all sales are final and there are no refunds.

Complimentary tickets may not be refunded or exchanged under any circumstances.

EXCHANGE POLICY (Due to an Official Game Cancellation): If a game is officially cancelled, all paid tickets purchased through an authorized Surprise Stadium outlet may be exchanged at the Surprise Stadium Box Office only for any future 2023 Spring Training Game at Surprise Stadium for the same home team. Exchanges are subject to seat availability on a gameby-game basis. Exchanges are available at the Surprise Stadium Box Office prior to the originally scheduled event date; otherwise, a full refund will be processed. All refunds are subject to the Surprise Stadium Refund Policy above.

Complimentary tickets may not be refunded or exchanged under any circumstances.

For more information about Surprise Stadium, visit SurpriseStadium.com/stadium-info.

BRUCE BOCHY

TEXAS RANGERS

Three-time World Series champion manager Bruce Bochy was hired as the 20th full-time skipper in Texas Rangers history on October 21, 2022, receiving a three-year contract covering the 2023-25 seasons.

“On behalf of the entire organization, I want to welcome Bruce and Kim Bochy to the Texas Rangers,” said Rangers Executive Vice President & General Manager Chris Young at the time of the announcement. “In his 25 years with San Diego and San Francisco, Bruce was one of the most successful and respected managers in Major League Baseball. With a calm and steady presence, he has a remarkable ability to connect and communicate with players, coaches, and staff, and his teams have always played with maximum effort. His knowledge of the game, as well as his integrity is unmatched.

“As we went through the interview process, Bruce’s passion and excitement about returning to the dugout was very evident. It became clear he was the ideal individual to lead our club as we continue to build a championship culture here in Arlington.”

Bochy is the first manager to join the Rangers after having previously won a World Series title in that capacity. In addition, he is the first Texas manager to assume the role with previous Major League managerial experience since Buck Showalter was hired on October 11, 2002. Bochy is managing for the first time since 2019, which was his final year at the helm with the San Francisco Giants. He has spent the past three seasons as a Special Advisor for the Giants, and managed Team France in the World Baseball Classic qualifier that took place in Germany this past September.

“I am incredibly excited to be joining the Texas Rangers,” said Bochy when he joined the Rangers. “Over the last several days, I’ve had extensive conversations with Chris Young and other individuals in the organization, and I had the chance to meet with Ray Davis. Their vision and commitment to putting together a club that can contend and win year in and year out is impressive, and I became convinced I wanted to be a part of that.

“If I was going to return to managing, it had to be the right situation. I strongly believe that to be the case with the Rangers, and I can’t wait to get started.

Bochy, who celebrates his 68th birthday on April 16, is one of only ten managers in Major League history to have guided teams to at least three World Series titles, and the other nine individuals on that list have all been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Bochy’s Giants won the World Series in 2010 (vs. Texas), 2012 (vs. Detroit), and 2014 (vs. Kansas City). He is one of five managers in MLB history to lead a team to three titles in a five-year span, joining Connie Mack, Joe McCarthy, Casey Stengel, and Joe Torre. He enters the 2023 season with 2003 career managerial wins, 12th-most in Major League history, and he needs just 38 more wins to crack the top 10 in

(continued, next page)

that category. Bochy’s 25 years as a manager are T10th-most all-time.

Research indicates that this is just the third time an individual has ever been hired to manage a team which he had previously beaten as a manager in the World Series. Bochy’s Giants beat the Rangers in the 2010 World Series. Joe Girardi managed the Phillies from 2020-22 after having previously beaten the team as Yankees manager in the 2009 Fall Classic. Johnny Keane managed the Yankees in 1965-66 after piloting the Cardinals’ 1964 World Series win over New York-AL.

Prior to joining the Rangers, Bochy had spent each of his 25 years as manager with National League West clubs San Diego (1995-2006) and San Francisco (2007-19). The 1996 National League Manager of the Year, he has also posted a top three finish for the award in five other seasons. Bochy crossed paths with Rangers General Manager Chris Young in 2006, his final year as manager of the Padres and Young’s first season as a pitcher in San Diego.

With 44 career postseason wins, Bochy is tied for sixth in MLB history in that category. He has guided teams to eight postseason appearances, six division titles, four pennants, and three World Series championships. The eight postseason appearances are tied for ninth-most in Major League history, and he is one of only seven individuals to have won four league titles since the introduction of the League Championship Series round of playoffs in 1969.

A former catcher, Bochy saw action as a player in nine Major League seasons with Houston (1978-80), New York-NL (1982), and San Diego (1983-87), batting .239 with 26 home runs and 93 RBI over 358 games in his career. He played for Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams in San Diego (1983-85). Bochy delivered a pinch-hit single in Game 5 of the 1984 World Series at Detroit. He set career bests for games (63), catching starts (29), home runs (8), and RBI (22) with the Padres in 1986.

Born at a U.S. base in Landes de Bussac, France, where his father was stationed at the time, Bochy also lived in the Panama Canal Zone, South Carolina, Virginia, and Florida during his childhood. He graduated from Melbourne (FL) High School and then played two years at Brevard Community College before being selected by Houston in the first round of the 1975 June draft.

He will be the first manager in Washington/Texas franchise history (full-time or interim) to be born outside of the United States. Bochy was the first foreign-born manager to reach the World Series (1998) and first European-born manager to win a World Series (2010).

After living most of his professional career in the San Diego, CA area, Bochy and his wife, Kim now reside in College Grove, TN, which is located outside of Nashville. They have two sons, Greg and Brett, and three grandchildren. Brett was selected by San Francisco in the 2010 MLB Draft and pitched in seven games with the Giants in 2014-15, making Bruce the eighth manager in MLB history to manage his son.

STARTING AT THE

By Jeff Wilson

JACOB DEGROM JOINS THE RANGERS

The happiest time of the baseball year for all 30 teams and their fans is here--spring training and the excitement leading up to Opening Day.

Every team is undefeated. Hopes for 2023 are running high. Last season’s contenders are eager to do it again, and even the teams not expected to contend are ready to, as the players say, surprise some people.

The Rangers and their fans, though, have been riding high since early December, and the cause for all the excitement boils down to one player.

Jacob deGrom is the best pitcher in the world, and the righthander plays for the Rangers. He signed a five-year, $185 million contract on December 2, and two more free agent starting pitchers joined him in the rotation later in the month.

A team known throughout its history as an offensive-first club is now armed to win with pitching, and the Rangers believe their staff is going to take them to the postseason perhaps as soon as this season.

DeGrom is the guy at the top. That kind of role and the pressure that comes with it aren’t anything new for the two-time National League Cy Young winner.

“As far as pressure, my goal always when I take the mound is to go out there and try to put up zeros,” deGrom said. “That is what I try to do. So far as taking off or putting on pressure, it’s a plus that there’s more starting pitching. It’s definitely a plus. But I still take the field the same exact way every time, and that’s to go out there and try to put up zeros and give us the best chance to win.”

He did that for the New York Mets from 2014 to 2022, posting a 2.52 ERA and striking out 1,607 batters in 1,326.0 innings. He won back-to-back Cy Young awards in 2018 (with a 1.70 ERA) and 2019 (255 strikeouts in 204.0 innings) and finished third in the voting in 2020.

That was his last healthy season, though, and it was the 60-game COVID season. He pitched only 68.0 innings, followed by 92.0 in 2021 and 64.1 in 2022.

There is a concern about his durability.

The Rangers, though, liked how he finished last season, had no issues with his physical exam before the contract was signed, and believe his work ethic will allow him to stay healthy.

The injury that slowed him

last season was a stress fracture in his shoulder blade. He said it was a freak injury and therefore isn’t a worry going forward.

He’s not the only starter with a potential innings shortfall.

Outside of 2022 Rangers Pitcher of the Year Martin Perez and including RHP Jake Odorizzi, acquired in a November trade with the Atlanta Braves, every starter dealt with an injury last season.

“We’re very comfortable in terms of the medicals,” Rangers

EVP and General Manager Chris Young said. “There’s a lot of factors that go into this. We did a ton of background information on these players. It’s really understanding the person, understanding their work ethic, the way they compete, understanding how their body moves.”

DeGrom, who turns 35 on June 19, threw his first bullpen session for new pitching coach Mike Maddux on January 28, just before the Globe Life Field doors opened for Fan Fest. He said then that he was throwing in the 90s for his fourth bullpen session of the offseason.

That’s around 90 percent effort, considering his maximum fastball velocity last season was 101.4 mph. His average fastball velocity last season was 98.9 mph — down 0.2 mph from 2021.

He threw 33 pitches above 100 mph during one start in 2021.

His four-seam fastball-slider combination stumps hitters. They hit only .208 against the fastball and .139 against the slider, which averaged 92.6 mph. Hitters had more success (.250) against a changeup he threw at an average velocity of 92 mph.

“He’s definitely the guy, right?” shortstop Corey Seager said. “When you’ve got the five guys that we have — six guys, seven guys, really — that can go out there and start for us now, it’s that much more comforting. There’s no excuses now.”

New manager Bruce Bochy believes that pitching wins championships, and he would know. He won three World Series with the San Francisco Giants, who at various times in their championship years of 2010, 2012 and 2014 had rotations that included Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Tim Hudson, Barry Zito, Jake Peavy and postseason legend Madison Bumgarner.

DeGrom is of the same mindset. He’s at the top of the rotation that the Rangers believe will snap a streak of six straight losing seasons and take them back to the postseason for the first time since 2016.

The additions of LHP Andrew Heaney and RHP Nathan Eovadi confirmed what Young and deGrom discussed before he signed. More pitching help was coming to help accelerate the Rangers’ rebuild.

“I’m a firm believer in pitching wins championships, and they went out and added pitching,” deGrom said. “Now, we’ve got to go out there and play still.”

The Rangers open the 2023 season March 30 against the Philadelphia Phillies, the reigning National League champions and a team deGrom knows well from his time in the NL East. He might be the Opening Day starter, though Perez is deserving of the honor after his terrific 2022 campaign.

But no matter who’s on the mound that day at Globe Life Field, it will be a different Rangers team than in the recent past and, really, in the history of the franchise.

The Rangers are going to pitch themselves into contention, and deGrom is the primary reason for all the hope and the uptick in excitement over the offseason and into this spring.

“That was my first time experiencing free agency, so there’s a lot of emotions and stuff that go into it,” deGrom said. “You don’t know where you’re going. You kind of feel like the new kid at school. Just the interactions with everybody so far, it’s been great. Everybody’s been very welcoming.

“We’re excited to be here. Hearing CY and then reaching out right away and telling me that I was a priority here was something that meant a lot to me. And that definitely played a lot in this decision to be here and try to win a World Series for the Rangers.”

Jeff Wilson provides Major League and Minor League coverage for Rangers Today after a 15-year run covering the club for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. For more information, please go to rangerstoday.com.

As the Texas Rangers entered the off-season following a 68-94 record in 2022, Chris Young had one major objective to improve the club.

A successful big league starting pitcher over 14 seasons, the Rangers’ General Manager knew that a strong and deep rotation was necessary for the club to contend in one of MLB’s strongest divisions, the American League West. The 2022 Rangers featured just one pitcher with more than seven wins (12-Martin Perez) and two with more than 140.0 innings (196.1—Perez; 153.1—Dane Dunning).

While Texas is excited about its pitching prospects in the minor leagues, Young knew that those youngsters would likely need more time to develop before becoming major contributors at the big league level.

Four months later, Young’s objective is complete as the Rangers enter 2023 with as talented and deep a rotation as any team in the Majors.

While the biggest acquisition was right-hander Jacob deGrom, who signed as a free agent on December 2, Young also added three other established big league starters and re-signed the lefty Perez, the Rangers’ 2022 Pitcher of the Year, to a one-year contract. Righthander Jon Gray, who signed a four-year deal with Texas prior to the 2022 season, also returns after being limited to 24 starts and 127.1 innings a year ago.

Here’s a look at the other new additions to the Rangers’ 2023 starting staff:

During MLB General Managers meetings on November 9, Young acquired

A REVAMPED

right-handed pitcher Jake Odorizzi and cash considerations from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for left-handed pitcher Kolby Allard.

Odorizzi, who turns 33 on March 27, combined to go 6-6 with a 4.40 ERA over 22 games/starts with Houston and Atlanta in 2022. The veteran starter began the year with Houston and was acquired by Atlanta in an August 2 trade for reliever Will Smith. He also spent nearly two months on the Injured List from May 17-July 3 with left lower leg discomfort. When he suffered the left leg injury while attempting to cover first base in a start on May 16 at Boston, Odorizzi had a 3-2 record with a 3.13 ERA over 7 starts to begin the year. He made 10 starts with Atlanta to finish the year and was on the Braves’ Division Series roster for the club’s series loss against the Phillies.

Odorizzi owns a lifetime 74-69 record and 3.99 ERA (555 ER/1253.1 IP) over 241 games/237 starts across 11 Major League seasons with Kansas City (2012), Tampa Bay (201317), Minnesota (2018-20), Houston (2021-22), and Atlanta (2022). He earned his first and only career All-Star selection in 2019 as a member of the Twins, going 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA (62 ER/159.0 IP) and career-high 178 strikeouts. Since 2014, his 231 starts are 5th-most in MLB among righthanders behind only Max Scherzer (256), Zack Greinke (255), Kyle Gibson (251), and Gerrit Cole (248).

On December 9, Texas signed free agent left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney to a two-year contract covering the 2023-24 seasons.

Heaney, 31, went 4-4 with a 3.10 ERA over 16 games/14 starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022, enduring a pair of stints on the Injured List: April 20-June 18 (left shoulder

Martin Perez

Jake Odorizzi

discomfort) and June 24-July 26 (left shoulder inflammation). He recorded 110 strikeouts while issuing just 19 walks last season, as his career-best 13.62 strikeouts per 9 innings figure was the 2nd-highest mark among pitchers with at least 70.0 innings.

Since the start of 2019, Heaney ranks among Major League pitchers (min. 350.0 IP) in strikeouts per 9 innings (9th, 11.07), swing-and-miss strike pct. (14th, 13.8%), strikeout pct. (15th, 28.8%), and strikeout-to-walk ratio (21st, 4.11).

The nine-year Major League veteran has gone 36-42 with a 4.56 ERA (358 ER/707.0 IP ) over 137 games/126 starts with Miami (2014), Los Angeles-AL (2015-21), New York-AL (2021), and Los Angeles-NL (2022). He has struck out 760 of 2995 (25.4%) batters faced in his career, the 7th-highest strikeout percentage among active left-handed pitchers with at least 100 MLB starts.

The Rangers then closed the year on a high note by signing free agent right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to a two-year contract covering the 2023-24 seasons on December 27. The deal also includes a vesting player option for the 2025 campaign.

ROTATION

The 34-year-old Eovaldi went 6-3 with a 3.87 ERA over 20 games/starts for the Boston Red Sox in 2022. He ranked among American League leaders (minimum 100.0 IP) in strikeouts per walk rate (8th, 5.15) and walks per 9 innings (9th, 1.65). Eovaldi spent time on the Injured List last season with low back inflammation (June 9-July 14) and right shoulder inflammation (August 19-September 28).

Since the start of 2019, Eovaldi has induced misses on 26.1% of swings by opposing batters, the 9th-best rate in the American League over that span (minimum 400.0 IP). He leads all A.L. pitchers since the start of 2020 (minimum 300.0 IP) in both walks per 9 innings (1.64) and strikeouts per walk (5.65). The righty has has a career record of 67-68 with a 4.16 ERA over 240 games/221 starts with Los Angeles-NL (2011-12), Miami (2012-14), New York-AL (2015-16), Tampa Bay (2018), and Boston (2018-22).He saw extensive postseason action with Boston in both 2018 and 2021, going 4-3 with a 3.14 ERA over 11 games/6 starts. He joins Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan as the only graduates of Alvin (TX) High School to reach the Major Leagues.

“Going into the offseason, we identified that we needed to upgrade our starting pitching,” said Young, who is in his first full season overseeing the Rangers’ entire baseball operation. “We were very clear that we were going to explore both ends of the market, and we did not put limits on this. I want to thank our ownership for the commitment they have made.”

It’s a commitment that Rangers’ fans hope will bring sustained success for the future.

Andrew Heaney

Nathan Eovaldi

2023 TEXAS RANGER S

Manager: Bruce Bochy (15); Coaches: Tony Beasley (27), Seth Conner (86), Donnie Ecker (14), Brett Hayes (87), Tim Hyers (54), Mike Maddux (31), Corey Ragsdale (64), Will Venable (83), Bobby Wilson (88)

40-MAN ROSTER (40)

40-MAN ROSTER (continued)

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

MATT QUATRARO

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

By Nick Kappel, Director of Media Relations

The schedule showed that Kansas City’s offseason officially began last October 6, but in reality it began two weeks prior, when J.J. Picollo was named head of baseball operations. That move was the first domino to fall in what proved to be a busy offseason following a 97-loss 2022 campaign.

“We have to acknowledge that there’s improvement that needs to be made on all parts, from the front office to the coaching staff, on to the players,” Picollo said.

What ensued over the next two months was an overhaul of the Royals coaching staff that brought six new coaches on board, including five from outside the organization.

“It kind of pains me to say that because I’ve been very intentional in hiring people internally,” Picollo said. “We felt like we needed, at this time, to get a little bit of outside influence, fresh thoughts and challenge us professionally as well.”

That group of new coaches is headlined by new Manager, Matt Quatraro, who comes from the Tampa Bay Rays, where he served as Bench Coach. His last name is pronounced kwuh-TRAIR-roe, and the middle syllable sounds like ‘rare,’ a word that could be used to describe the success he’s had during his first two big league coaching stints.

Quatraro, who goes by ‘Q,’ was the Assistant Hitting Coach on Terry Francona’s staff in Cleveland from 2014-17, including a World Series appearance in 2016. During that four-year run in Cleveland, Quatraro worked with four Silver Slugger Award winners and the team’s offense ranked 1st in the Majors in doubles, 4th in walks and 5th in OPS.

In 2018, Q returned to Tampa Bay, the organization he played for in the minors from 1996-2002 and coached for in the minors from 2004-13. He spent five seasons on Kevin Cash’s staff with the Rays, including the last four years (2019-22) as the Bench Coach, which included a trip to the World Series in 2020. During that fouryear stretch with Quatraro as Cash’s right-hand man, the Rays went 322-244 (.590), a record that ranked 4th in the Majors behind only the Dodgers, Astros and Yankees.

Now Q has his own right-hand man, as he recruited Paul Hoover to join him in Kansas City as the Royals Bench Coach. Hoover, 46, played professionally for 14 seasons, including parts of seven seasons in the Majors. More recently, he worked with Q on Cash’s coaching staff in Tampa Bay, serving as the Major League Field Coordinator from 2019-22.

Much has been said about the successes of Cleveland and Tampa Bay, two forward-thinking clubs in small markets. The Royals are hoping Q and his new staff can help bring that success to Kansas City. And while the Royals figure to be more analytically inclined under this new leadership, there’s still a human element to the game.

“Data doesn’t make the decisions,” Quatraro said. “It informs the decisions, and it creates more questions that you can ask that help you make better decisions down the road.”

The Royals are hoping that data can better inform their pitching staff in 2023, after it ranked last in the American League in ERA in 2022.

To that end, the Royals hired Brian Sweeney to lead their pitching efforts. Sweeney, like Quatraro, has ties to Cleveland. He spent the last five seasons on Francona’s staff, including the last three as the Guardians Bullpen Coach. During that three year-run, Sweeney’s relief pitchers ranked 5th, 6th and 4th in the Majors in bullpen ERA, including a 3.02 mark in 2022.

Sweeney, 48, will be joined on the pitching side by Zach Bove, 34, who is Kansas City’s new Assistant Pitching Coach, following four seasons with the Minnesota Twins. Bove, who played in college but did not play professionally, is lauded for his ability to communicate data to players.

“I’ve talked to Sweeney and Bove about different things, different subjects,” left-handed pitcher Daniel Lynch said. “It’s cool to have two resources like that. Just sort of recognize that you have three guys now with all different strengths. … We’ve talked about pitch design and shaping. I came to them with an idea of what I wanted to do, because I really wanted to be on the same page.”

Mitch Stetter will be the Bullpen Coach, after spending the last three seasons as Kansas City’s Manager of Pitching Performance at the minor league level. Stetter, who pitched professionally for 11 seasons, has been with the Royals organization since 2015, and has worked with many of the club’s young pitchers currently on the big league roster.

Like Lynch, Brady Singer is among those who are excited for the new coaches, particularly on the pitching side. Singer, 26, had a breakout performance in 2022, and hopes the new voices of the coaching staff can help him reach even greater heights this season.

“The biggest thing I’m excited for is the background from all of them,” Singer said. “Q with the Rays, huge success there. Sweeney with the Guardians, obviously they have a really good young pitching staff. I think just a different change of techniques and ideas they have from

different organizations is going to be really helpful. I think the analytical part is something that we haven’t implemented as well, and I think they’re going to bring some really good ideas.”

Like the Royals pitching last season, defense was an area of concern. The talent is there, but the consistency wasn’t. That’s why the Royals added José Alguacil to the staff as their Infield Coach.

Alguacil, 50, has played or coached for 30 years, most recently serving as Washington’s Minor League Infield Coordinator in 2022. Before that, he spent 15 seasons in the Giants organization and was the Minor League Infield Instructor for three World Series championship teams, in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Alec Zumwalt and Keoni DeRenne will remain in place as Hitting Coaches, as they continue to oversee the offensive development of Kansas City’s core position players. Miguel Garcia, now in his 23rd season with the Royals, will assist on the hitting side. He has spent the last 14 years as the club’s Batting Practice Pitcher and threw to Salvador Perez at the 2021 Home Run Derby.

Damon Hollins returns as First Base Coach and Vance Wilson remains the Third Base Coach.

This new coaching staff, with a mix of familiar faces, has the entire organization excited for the 2023 season. And while Q and his staff are eager to get to work, any progress this season will still be measured by the players’ performance on the field.

“It really does come back to -- it’s all about the players,” Quatraro said. “We got to put the players first in every decision we make. And they, in turn, perform at their best. … There’s a lot of randomness in baseball, so you put them in the best position to succeed and see what happens.”

That mindset has already made Q a favorite among his players. He’s patient and kind-hearted, but firm and fair. Those values were instilled by his parents – both of whom were teachers – which have translated well to baseball and its grueling schedule.

“My parents were instrumental in the, ‘Don’t ride the roller-coaster’ thinking,” Quatraro said. “Do the best you can, prepare yourself, work hard, and then the results are what they are. If you studied enough for your test, and you get a good grade, then you got a good grade. If you know you didn’t do the work, then don’t expect the good grade.”

The Royals were one of the youngest teams in the Majors in 2022, and that youth movement figures to continue in 2023. Led by veterans Salvador Perez and Zack Greinke, this team is hungry to improve on their “grade” from last year, and they believe Quatraro is the right man to lead that charge.

“Matt (has) a great understanding of where the game has been, where it is today and where it’s going,” Picollo said. “... Somebody that has that growth mindset and intellectual curiosity that’s going to put us in a better position moving forward.”

CHASING THE

ROYALS JOIN ROSTERS FOR 2023 WBC

By Ian Kraft, Assistant Director-Media Relations, Kansas City Royals

The 2023 season will be a pivotal campaign for the Kansas City Royals. But while this is typically the time of year that they flock to Surprise, Ariz., for Spring Training, a select group of Royals players and staff members are spread all across the world, meeting up with national teams they will represent in this year’s World Baseball Classic.

An event that historically takes place every four years, this WBC will be the first since the 2017 Classic, as the 2021 event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last time baseball was played in this event, Team USA earned its first title on the backs of former Royals Eric Hosmer and Danny Duffy.

“I’m super excited,” said Nicky Lopez, who will be representing Team Italy alongside Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. “I’m proud of representing Team Italy.

“I’m actually very excited because (Team Italy) gets to Taiwan and we’re facing Cuba, the Netherlands and Chinese Taipei,” Lopez said. “It’s actual games and you have to be ready to compete. I think being in those competitions and those games, early, I think it might be beneficial.”

For Pasquantino, who has been referred to belovingly as “The Italian Nightmare,” the chance to wear “Italia” across his chest is a moment he’s sure he will never forget.

“Any time a country asks you to represent them, that’s really special,” said Pasquantino at Royals Rally in February. “For them to have asked me, and also Nicky, to play on that team is something that we take a lot of pride in.”

This year’s WBC is the first to feature 20 countries, and many provisional rosters feature Royals players. Along with the infield duo representing Italy, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (who played for the USA Baseball team that won gold at the COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships) was named to Team USA’s provisional roster alongside club ace Brady Singer. 2015 World Series MVP Salvador Perez will lead Team Venezuela for the third time (also 2013, ’17), and was joined on the roster by pitchers Max Castillo, Carlos Hernández and Angel Zerpa, as well as outfielder Edward Olivares. MJ Melendez, the Royals 24-year-old catcher/outfielder phenom, was named to the Puerto Rican provisional roster. Royals are also featured on the provisional rosters for Team Australia (Robbie Glendinning), Team Canada (Eric Cerantola), Team Cuba (Ronald Bolaños), Team Netherlands (Shervyen Newton), Team Nicaragua (Oscar Rayo) and

CROWN

Team Panama (Johan Camargo, Luis Barroso). Additionally, Tony Medina, the club’s Minor League/Latin America Medical Assistant Coordinator, will represent the Dominican Republic as a member of their training staff, and Luis Ortiz, an International Scouting Supervisor for the Royals, is Team Panama’s Manager for the tournament.

“I think it’s healthy for the game,” said Royals Executive Vice President and General Manager J.J. Picollo at the MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego, Calif., in December. “It’s interesting for fans. I think the players enjoy it. They like playing for their home country, especially Venezuela, the Dominican, U.S., Japan.”

For Witt Jr., 22, who will be one of the youngest in the entire tournament, he can’t help but show his excitement over the chance to represent his country on the national stage. Yet, he is well aware of the amazing opportunity facing him over the next two months.

“Oh, it’s going to be a blast,” Witt Jr. told reporters at Royals Rally. “I’m really privileged to be a part of the team. I’m just trying to figure out my role, and just being around them. I’m just going to take it all in and learn from (the Major League veterans on the roster) and see their routine. I think that’s the biggest thing, is just learning.”

One of those veterans on the Team USA roster that Witt Jr. will learn from is three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star outfielder Mike Trout, who is also the Team Captain for the United States. Speaking with media via Zoom in January, Trout shared an eagerness to work alongside the Royals phenom.

"(Witt Jr.)'s unbelievable," Trout said. "He's a stud. He's going to be really good in this league for a long time. I think it's great for the game to have the young stars come in, to be with the veteran guys."

Tony Reagins, the General Manager for Team USA, spoke to former Kansas City Star reporter Lynn Worthy at the Winter Meetings in December, and he said the chance for guys like Witt Jr. and Singer to work alongside some of the best active players in the world, as well as the coaching staff that includes Hall of Famer and 13-time All-Star Ken Griffey Jr. as their hitting coach, could be extremely impactful.

“I think it could propel their game, just being around guys like Trout or Griffey Jr. as a hitting coach or Andy Pettitte as a pitching coach or Dave Righetti as a bullpen coach,” Reagins said. “Just being around guys like Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt. Having those type of guys and having a young guy be around that, even if that young guy doesn’t play a lot, the experience and the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the game that’s ever done it — I think it could propel their careers.”

Additional quotes provided by MLB.com reporter Anne Rogers.

A new era has arrived in Kansas City.

The next generation has stepped onto the scene and electric energy is starting to bubble up inside the Royals clubhouse.

A young core of 21 rookies led the charge in 2022, including 13 players who made their Major League debuts. The 21 newcomers tied for the 3rd most rookies to play in a single season in franchise history.

Oddly enough, six other teams featured more rookies in 2022, however Royals rookies still led the league in most offensive categories, including doubles (109), triples (22), home runs (76) and RBI (289), all of which marked new club records.

Those 21 players seemingly made frequent headlines last season, and in an unusual flipping of the script, it was the rookies who made an impression on the veterans.

Jr., the Royals 1st round selection in the 2019 Draft. Witt Jr. made his presence felt from the moment he stepped up to the plate on Opening Day, an afternoon in which he delivered a go-ahead RBI double in the 8th inning to mark his first career hit and RBI.

YOUTH INFILTRATION YOUTH INFILTRATION A NEW

By Logan Jones, Manager-Media Relations, Kansas City Royals

Zack Greinke, a 19-year veteran and six-time All-Star who recently inked a one-year deal to return to the Royals for 2023, spoke about his experience playing alongside this group of young talent during his press conference in February.

“That was probably the most fun I’ve had in a while,” Greinke said.

“The players were fun to be around, the young guys. They’re just happy to be playing, trying their hardest, trying really hard to get better. When we did go on a couple of win streaks, you could tell how much fun it’s going to be if the team ends up doing good this year.

In doing so, he became the first player in the Modern Era (since 1900) to have his first career hit be a go-ahead extra-base knock in the 8th inning or later on Opening Day.

His Opening Day heroics were only compounded by the fact that he became the youngest player in Royals history to make his Major League debut on Opening Day, as he was just 21 years, 297 days “old.”

“It was a dream come true,” Witt Jr. said postgame. “Truly. This is the day I’ve been waiting for my whole life. Now it’s here. I just want to keep doing it.”

From Game 1 to Game 162, there was no slowing down for Witt Jr.

He went on to become just the fifth player in Royals history to put together a 20-homer/20-steal season, joining elite company in Jeff Francoeur, Carlos Beltrán, Bo Jackson and Amos Otis.

He didn’t exactly stop after 20 steals, however. The speedy infielder swiped 30 bases by season’s end and led the Majors with a 30.4 ft.-per-second average sprint speed, according to Statcast.

It’s going to be even better, because there are good personalities on the team.”

Among those personalities is rising star Bobby Witt

After reaching that elusive 20/20 milestone on Sept. 3, rookie teammate Kyle Isbel said, “it's incredible; I'm so proud of him…he's a really good player and an even

better person.”

Despite an unforgettable rookie campaign, Witt Jr. still sees opportunities for growth heading into 2023.

“I think I personally could’ve done better,” Witt Jr. said in an offseason interview.

“I always think there’s room for improvement each and every year.”

While Witt Jr. was etching his name into the record books, teammates MJ Melendez and Vinnie Pasquantino were making their own waves following midseason debuts.

Melendez appeared in 129 games for the Royals in 2022 and hit 18 home runs, which ranked 6th among all rookies. With that, Witt Jr. and Melendez became the first set of first-year teammates in Major League history to each hit at least 18 home runs.

Pasquantino recorded 10 home runs in 72 games and was named American League Player of the Week for Aug. 8-14, a stretch in which he amassed an AL-best 4 home runs and 6 RBI.

The first shot of Pasquantino’s budding career came

“The energy level, the excitement, the positivity that I've heard from everybody has been off the charts, which has been really refreshing to me and kind of energized me about getting going,” Q said at the MLB Winter Meetings in December.

Players, coaches and fans alike are all eagerly awaiting a rejuvenated season of Royals baseball.

“It’s going to be different,” Pasquantino said during the Royals Rally in February.

“I’m not exactly sure how yet, but it’s going to be a

OF ROYALS BASEBALL WAGE

on July 1 in Detroit, his third Major League game. He lined a 361-ft. solo homer to right field in the 4th inning, making him one of only eight Royals to have his first career hit be a home run.

Coincidentally, just two weeks later in Toronto, fellow rookie Nate Eaton became the ninth Royal to ever turn the trick, blasting a 416-ft. home run in the 9th inning of his Major League debut.

“The only voice I could hear was my mom’s,” Eaton said after his unforgettable night.

“These are the people that have been there my entire life and they sacrificed so much for me to get to this point, because without them, I couldn’t have been here. So to make them proud is really awesome.”

To say the rookies left it all out on the field last year would be an understatement, and they plan to keep that momentum going as they head into 2023.

The club was met with a slew of changes in the offseason as the Royals reimagined nearly their entire coaching staff, with Manager Matt Quatraro now at the helm.

Quatraro, more affectionately known as “Q,” comes from Tampa Bay with a fresh perspective on analytics and team chemistry.

different way of how things are done. I’m excited to see what it is.”

With guys like Witt Jr., Melendez and Pasquantino leading the way and the farm system loaded with even more exciting talent, the Kansas City Royals are primed to shock the baseball world, in 2023 and beyond.

2023 KANSAS CITY ROYALS

40-MAN ROSTER (40)

Manager: Matt Quatraro (33); Coaches: José Alguacil (68), Zach Bove (84), Keoni DeRenne (77), Miguel Garcia (82), Damon Hollins (39), Paul Hoover (26), Mitch Stetter (57), Brian Sweeney (85), Vance Wilson (25), Alec Zumwalt (31)

NRI ROSTER (NON-ROSTER INVITES)

MARCH/APRIL

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

2023 official game dates are subject to change. Visit royals.com for all updated game and ticket information.

The COLLEGE

Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ) in Surprise

Unique FlexTerm Scheduling: 4, 8 and 16-week terms • learn at your own pace.

Generous scholarships for academics and activities on campus like theatre, marching band, esports, leadership and more!

Support every step of the way.

Incredible residential halls and campus facilities.

University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary education institutions in the North Central region, which includes 19 states including Kansas. The federal government has a distinct interest in the role of accreditation in assuring quality in higher education for the students who benefit from federal financial aid program. By being recognized by the US Department of Education as a gatekeeper agency, the Commission agrees to fulfill specific federally defined responsibilities within the accreditation processes, as described by HLC

AMERICA’S BRAND

VISIT BASEBALLISM, THE PREMIER BRAND OF BASEBALL, LOCATED IN THE OUTFIELD BY THE MAIN GATE.

ALSO LOCATED AT 3961 N BROWN IN OLD TOWN SCOTTSDALE.

Sunday FUNDAY FAMILY 4-PACK

Spend your Sunday enjoying Spring Training at Surprise Stadium with your family and friends with our Sunday Funday Family Four Pack for $44. It’s four lawn tickets, four drinks, four hot dogs and four popcorns.

Military & First Responder Appreciation Days

In recognition of the courage and sacrifice made by the members of our nation’s military and first responders, Surprise Stadium is offering 50% OFF TICKETS FOR SUNDAY GAMES this season. This offer includes tickets in the following sections: Lower Baseline, Baseline, Lower Outfield and Outfield Reserved. Limit of 4 tickets per transaction. For the discounted rate, please show your military I.D. or proof of eligibility at the Box Office or use Promo Code “MILITARY” online. Tickets are based on availability.

PUPNights

AT SURPRISE STADIUM

A RESIDENT

Our residents are what make Su the #1 stadium in all of the Cact thank our residents, the Stadium is pleased to o ticket options of (2) BA TICKETS FOR $20 to re CITY, EL MIRAGE, and Standard game February 24th t Residency Required (Photo ID at Box Off

MAYOR’S LITERA

JANUARY 23 – MARCH 3

Let’s READ! Students Grades 1 register and earn FREE tickets training game at Surprise Stad is easy! Register Now!

COLLEG

MARCH8 & MARCH23

Skip the dog park and come to Surprise Stadium! Pup Nights at Surprise Stadium is a unique opportunity to BRING YOUR DOG TO A SPRING TRAINING GAME. You and your dog will both get to enjoy the game with other dogs and dog lovers from our pet-friendly lawn section. **Please note, each pup MUST have a “PUP” specific ticket to enter the ballpark. Handlers/Owners are limited to a maximum of one dog per paid “HANDLER” ticket, handlers must be 18 years or older.** Participants must complete the waiver in order to bring your pup into Surprise Stadium. Event tickets are limited!

College students — SPEND SURPRISE STADIUM! March for A $7 Outfield Reserved T

SENSORYAwareness

The Surprise Stadium and T.E.A.M offer Sensory Awareness Day, a experience! Seating and a speci in the designated sensory-sens will provide sensory stations an where attendees can take a bre

Appreciation DAYS

urprise Stadium

SPONSORED

tus League! To e Surprise offer discounted ASELINE esidents of SURPRISE, SUN WADDELL on any Classic or though March 11th. Proof of ffice or Billing Zip Code Online)

RACY CHALLENGE

3 • GRADES 1STTHRU 4TH 1st thru 4th can to a spring dium, participation

GE DAYS

YOUR SPRING BREAK AT h 5-19, show your college I.D. Ticket (excludes March 7).

SUNDAY, FEB. 26 Day

PRESENTED BY

M. 4 Kids have teamed up to more sensory-friendly ballpark ial ticket offer will be available itive lawn area. T.E.A.M. 4 Kids nd a designated quiet area eak when needed.

OFFERS

OFFERS

KIDS RUN

THE BASES

Following every Sunday game, Spring Training’s youngest fans get to take the field! EACH PARTICIPANT WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL PRIZE COURTESY OF UPTOWN ALLEY IN SURPRISE!

FIREWORKS NIGHT

PRESENTED BY

Get the week started with a boom as we light the sky with a fireworks show set to an explosive soundtrack! Get your tickets today for TUESDAY, MARCH 14 and plan to make your night an explosive one as we light up the sky with a post-game Fireworks Spectacular, presented by Sanderson Ford and Lincoln. Fireworks will start at approx. 8:45 p.m.

SPRING TRAINING 5K & 1K

Presented by

Fri., March 3, 2023 • Race Time: 7 PM

The Spring Training 5K, presented by Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, is back! Register by March 2 to take advantage of the $30 5K and $15 1K early registration rate. Runners will receive a BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE LAWN SEAT VOUCHER to a 2023 Spring Training game at Surprise Stadium. (Excludes March 1, March 4, March 7, March 21)

om // 623-222-2222

2022 SURPRISE, AZ

SANDERSON LINCOLN