Jaylon Thompson gives an update on Royals prospects in the Arizona Fall League, like reliever A.J. Causey.
Causey has an elevated 9.95 ERA but offers strong command of his pitches. He registered nine strikeouts
in five appearances so far. The Royals consider him a potential quick mover through their system as a reliever. And for good reason. Causey had a 1.72 ERA across two minor-league levels and finished the 2025 campaign pitching in Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
“We want him to get the seasonings so that he knows how to come in and slam a door or get three quick outs or have to work with a variety of base out situations,” Maier said. “You can only do that with so many appearances as a reliever during the regular season. So he gets to tack on a few more. Plus, it’s us acknowledging that he is a really good reliever.”
David Lesky writes about how Royals pitchers can improve their chase rate.
The Royals had nine pitchers at a league-average chase rate or higher in 2025. They were Trevor Richards, Bailey Falter, Kris Bubic, Jonathan Bowlan, Harvey, Cole Ragans, Wacha, Michael Lorenzen and Lucas Erceg. I don’t think everyone has to be able to get swings on pitches outside the zone at a super high rate, and maybe it’s more that you want to see that out of your relievers more than starters because I think it’s fair to be concerned about a bullpen including Estevez, Angel Zerpa, John Schreiber and Steven Cruz in potentially leverage roles when all of them are below average and some (Cruz, weirdly) who are way below average.
It’s why I’d bet on Sweeney and his staff to get more out of guys who already have the ability to get hitters to go outside the zone.
Kevin O’Brien is ending Royals Reporter to run a new blog, Royals Keep.
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