Royals Players Gain Valuable Experience in World Baseball Classic | MLB
SURPRISE, Ariz. – As the World Baseball Classic heads toward its championship game in Miami on , the Kansas City Royals are already celebrating a victory of sorts. The team has a significant presence across all four semifinal rosters, ensuring representation in the title game regardless of the outcome.
Kansas City joins the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies as one of five organizations with players still competing for the championship. The Royals’ widespread participation has even sparked a playful new moniker: “The Royal Baseball Classic,” a testament to the team’s impact on the tournament.
“I was thinking last night, just looking at some of the highlights over the last week, it’s really exciting to observe our guys excel in the WBC,” Royals pitcher John Schreiber said. “It feels like all the highlights are from guys from the Royals. It makes everybody here excited about what we have in store for the season.”
The Royals’ contingent in the WBC includes stars like Bobby Witt Jr. (Team USA), Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone (Team Italy), Maikel Garcia, Salvador Perez, and Seth Lugo. Witt, considered a top-five player in Major League Baseball, has showcased his skills on both offense and defense for Team USA, collecting five hits, two runs, five walks, and three stolen bases through four games. Pasquantino, meanwhile, has been a standout for Team Italy, highlighted by a three-home run performance against Mexico.
The impact of the WBC experience extends beyond individual performances. Royals manager Matt Quatraro believes the high-stakes environment will benefit his players when the MLB season begins. “The competition aspect is so intense that you want [the players] to bring that back,” Quatraro said. “I don’t know if you could do that for 162 straight, but you want that ‘no pitches off’ kind of mentality.”
Royals pitcher Michael Wacha, who threw three innings in relief for Team USA before returning to spring training, echoed that sentiment. “It’s been a lot of fun watching our guys go out there and have big games, arrive through in clutch moments,” Wacha said. “That’s building confidence for them coming into the regular season, finding their swings, finding their pitches, it will only help us out during the regular season.” He added, “We’ve just been in Spring Training games, so getting into that atmosphere again where there’s something on the line, it’s very beneficial. To feel those nerves, it preps you for the regular season.”
The Royals’ success in the WBC isn’t just about on-field performance. it’s also resonating with fans. According to Fox Sports PR, Kansas City currently leads all markets in World Baseball Classic viewership, surpassing cities like Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Diego, and Milwaukee. This surge in interest comes as the Royals prepare for a season with renewed optimism, having made significant offseason moves to contend in the AL Central.
Veteran Royals pitcher Matt Strahm, who previously played for the Padres and Phillies, recognizes the value of the WBC experience. “It’s playoff baseball in March, so getting to see those guys experience it and see how well they’re doing is hopefully some good foresight for the season,” Strahm said. “You can have the cliché saying ‘It’s still baseball’ or whatever, but you can’t replicate those moments or the atmosphere. For them to acquire to experience that, it’s as valuable as anything. Hopefully, that just keeps them hungry for the season to make The K like that in October. The city can be pretty special if you give them something to cheer for.”
The competitive spirit extends even within the Royals clubhouse. “There was trash talk before they left,” Strahm admitted, “I’m sure it’s going to continue when they get back.”
The Royals’ players returning from the WBC will undoubtedly bring back not only valuable experience but also a heightened sense of competition, and confidence. As Quatraro observed, understanding how players channel their nerves and excitement in high-pressure situations is crucial. “They have to be nervous or they have to be excited in these moments, so how have they contained that?” he asked. “As big league games are going and you’re in big moments, whether it’s regular season or Postseason, you’ve had that ability to channel that – now how do I do it again here and continue to do it over and over?”
Regardless of which team ultimately claims the World Baseball Classic title, the Kansas City Royals have already established themselves as a significant force in the tournament, and their players are poised to carry that momentum into the MLB season.