A week ago we looked at the Hitters with the biggest potential variance in their 2026 season and how they would affect the success of the Royals. This week we look at the Pitchers. Which of the 2026 arms have the biggest potential distance between their ceiling and floor and thereby will have the biggest impact on the season?

David Lesky (Publisher - Inside the Crown/@DBLesky), Les Norman (Former Royals OF/Author - Teaching the Tools of Hitting) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) are selecting the pitchers that can have the biggest impact on the Royals success or failure in 2026.

- What did we learn from putting our list together?
- Which Pitcher has the biggest distance between ceiling and floor?
- How to handle all the pitchers returning from injury?
- Where to put Cole Ragans on the list?
- Does a reliever make a big enough difference to make the list?
- Which pitchers just missed making the list?

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The Royals have become one of the savviest organizations in baseball when it comes to pitching.  The man behind that is Pitching Coach, Brian Sweeney.

David Lesky (Publisher - Inside the Crown/@DBLesky), pinch hitting for Rany Jazayerli (Co-Founder Baseball Prospectus/@Jazayerli), and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) welcome Sweeney to discuss… 

- Creating a Pitching Legacy in KC.
- What went into trading Freddy Fermin.
- Dealing with injuries in ’25.
- The importance of the Strikeout.
- Chase Rates.
- Changing the fences at Kauffman Stadium.
⁃ Working cohesively with all parts of the organization.

Major League Baseball teams love consistency in a player. At the same time they are always happy to discuss a player’s “ceiling”. So which of the 2026 Royals have the biggest distance between their ceiling and floor and thereby will have the biggest effect on the Royals chances?

David Lesky (Publisher - Inside the Crown/@DBLesky), Les Norman (Former Royals OF/Author - Teaching the Tools of Hitting) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) are selecting the players that can have the biggest impact on the Royals success or failure in 2026.

- Which Hitter has the biggest distance between ceiling and floor?
- Does moving the fences in change the list?
- Where does Jac Caglianone fit into the equation?
- Is there still upside with Salvy?
- Can the Royals expect the same number from Carter Jensen?
- Is Bobby Witt Jr. too good to make this list?
- What Hitter is the most consistent and reliable?
- What did we learn from making the lists?

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ESPN’S Senior Major League Baseball Insider joins the Kauffman Corner Podcast to talk Royals and all things Baseball.

Rany Jazayerli (Co-Founder Baseball Prospectus/@Jazayerli) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) welcome Jeff Passan to discuss the Royals offseason and more. 

- Have the Dodgers ruined the sport?
- Are we headed to a labor stoppage in ’27?
- Evaluating the Royals Offseason.
- Is trading Cole Ragans a good idea?
- Where Matt Quatraro ranks among Managers?
⁃ What will bringing the fences in means for the Royals?

The Royals are moving the fences in. What this means for the ’26 Royals and beyond.

David Lesky (Publisher - Inside the Crown/@DBLesky), Les Norman (Former Royals OF/Author - Teaching the Tools of Hitting) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) break down what the effect of a smaller ballpark will be for the hitters, pitchers and the and the fans…

- Biggest winners and losers?
- Will this attract more free agents?
- Does it change the type of players the Royals look for?
- Will it affect the Outfielders defensively?
- Why not move Center Field in as well?
- How many Homers will the Royals hit in ’26?

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It there any help on the Farm? Did the Royals get it right in arbitration? How many players on the Royals Hall of Fame ballot should get the call?

Rany Jazayerli (Co-Founder Baseball Prospectus/@Jazayerli) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) discuss where the Royals can expect help form their Minor Leagues and more.

- The Royals avoid arbitration with 6 players.
- Pasquantino and Bubic head to arbitration.
- Is there an arm or two in the minors that can help?
- Will any bat from Omaha even make the bigs?
- The Royals Hall of Fame ballots are in.

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The Royals continue to get in-house business done by extending the contract of Matt Quatraro through the 2029 season, but they remain in a holding pattern when it comes to acquiring another bat.

David Lesky (Publisher - Inside the Crown/@DBLesky), Les Norman (Former Royals OF/Author - Teaching the Tools of Hitting) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) break down the Quatraro extension and what moves might still be possible for the Royals.

- Quatraro locked up through at least 2029.
- Is the Bubic market heating up?
- Could Bo Bichette be a Royal?
- AL Central Win Totals.
- The Jensen/Caglianone effect.
- In other news…

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Last week (Episode 241) we projected where the Royals would be better/worse among the Position Players and this week we’re taking a look at the Pitching Staff.

Rany Jazayerli (Co-Founder Baseball Prospectus/@Jazayerli) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) break down the pitching staff by how many wins they think the Royals have improved or regressed this offseason.

- Royals extend Matt Quatraro through '29/Option for '30.
- Health is the key at the top of the Rotation.

- Back of the rotation may not be what it looks like now.
- Is middle relief one of the biggest improvements?
- Did the back of the bullpen improve with the Strahm addition?
- Should the Royals fear the age of the back of the pen?

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The Royals have quietly increased payroll again this offseason.  Have they gone as far as they can go?

David Lesky (Publisher - Inside the Crown/@DBLesky), Les Norman (Former Royals OF/Author - Teaching the Tools of Hitting) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) discuss the Royals payroll and more… 

- Are the Royals at their Payroll limit?
- Do they need to trade payroll?
- Will Kris Bubic be moved?
- Was not signing Hunter Harvey a mistake?
- Have the Royals added enough OBP?
- Does their bullpen have enough K’s?
⁃ Where are the position battles looming?

Position by position, where are the Royals better and/or worse on offense?

Rany Jazayerli (Co-Founder Baseball Prospectus/@Jazayerli) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) break down each of the Royals positions around the diamond and discuss where they will be better or worse… 

- KC still in, on Austin Hayes.
- What to learn from Ryan O’Hearn’s deal w/Pittsburgh.
- How much Carter Jensen improves Catcher?
- Can the Royals be better on the infield?
- Can’t be worse in the Outfield, right?
- Expectations for Jac Caglianone?
- How the DH looks in ’26.