Royals Rundown: A Kansas City Royals Podcast

Kansas City Royals Baseball
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The Royals Rundown, presented by Royals Review. Join hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco as he talks to Royals Review writers, Royals content creators, players, and more about all things Kansas City Royals. Formerly Royals Review Radio.

  1. 6 hr ago

    Derby Dreams and Hitting Streaks: Bright Spots in a Dark Royals Season

    The Kansas City Royals have reached the season midpoint at 34-48, fourteen games below .500 and sitting in last place in the AL Central. It is not where anyone wanted to be, but Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco find more to talk about than the record alone would suggest. The headline story continues to be Jac Caglianone, who leads the team with 14 home runs and is flirting with franchise records for June production. We break down the adjustments that have fueled his recent surge, the mechanical changes that are translating into real power output, and the realistic conversation about a Home Run Derby bid. Carter Jensen's 16-game hitting streak is a remarkable run for a rookie catcher and a reminder that the development pipeline is producing players who can contribute at the major league level. We examine his progress alongside a broader conversation about the coaching staff's impact on hitting, with offensive metrics improving notably in June even as the overall record continues to disappoint. Injury management remains a recurring concern. The decision-making around IL placements and strategic rest periods gets a candid evaluation, and we wonder whether the organization's approach is protecting players for the long term or simply creating more instability in the short term. Bobby Witt Jr.'s All-Star candidacy and the latest voting updates are also covered, even as his health remains something fans are monitoring closely. The episode rounds out with a look ahead to the upcoming series against the Chicago White Sox, including pitching matchup breakdowns, a discussion of the Royals' draft prospects and the college-versus-high-school player development debate, and John Rave's recent stance change and what it could mean for his offensive ceiling. MLB Network segment on Caglianone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyNuBoz-sZI Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky – Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com – Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X – Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    54 min
  2. Jac Caglianone's June Surge, Witt's Injury, and a Record-Setting Royals Offense

    4 days ago

    Jac Caglianone's June Surge, Witt's Injury, and a Record-Setting Royals Offense

    The Kansas City Royals took the series from the St. Louis Cardinals, but the celebration comes with a significant asterisk with Bobby Witt Jr.'s injury as the conversation around player health in Kansas City is only getting louder. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco open with the series win and what it represents for a team searching for positive momentum, before turning quickly to the injury news that has overtaken the narrative. Witt's return timeline is the headline, but Maikel Garcia's hand injury continues to be visible through the broadcast. On a far more encouraging note, Jac Caglianone's June has been nothing short of dominant. His power breakout gets the detailed treatment it deserves: the exit velocities, the extra-base hit production, and what his trajectory over the last several weeks suggests about his ceiling as one of the most exciting young bats in baseball right now. Does he have the resume for a Home Run Derby appearance? The Royals set a new franchise record for extra-base hits in a series, and the offensive production that has carried the team through this stretch extends well beyond Caglianone. Tyler Tolbert, John Rave, and other young depth players are showing meaningful flashes, and Jacob and Jeremy evaluate what those performances could mean for roster construction both now and heading into 2027. The episode closes with a segment honoring the Negro Leagues and Father's Day reflections before shifting to an MLB Draft Combine preview, with a look at a few specific targets the Royals could be watching as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Father's Day video Jacob was walking about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrGXFagTjIs John Rave's session at Driveline: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yep_HchrEnA Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky – Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com – Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X – Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1hr 9min
  3. Disappointing, Injury-Riddled Home Stretch Puts Final Nail in Royals' 2026 Coffin

    15 Jun

    Disappointing, Injury-Riddled Home Stretch Puts Final Nail in Royals' 2026 Coffin

    The Kansas City Royals are nearing the season's midpoint, and saying things are complicated is an optimistic understatemnt. We look at where the team stands, including the near misses, the mounting injury list, and the front office decisions that will define the second half of 2026. After the Royals narrowly avoided a sweep against the Houston Astros, there is little room for comfort after a 2-4 run in Kauffman Stadium. There are individuals to celebrate, but the losses come faster than the wins, and that includes the additions to the IL. Vinnie Pasquantino's injury is the most significant personnel blow, and Jacob and Jeremy spend meaningful time on what his absence means for an offense that was already searching for consistency. The injury conversation does not stop there with Kris Bubic, Cole Regans, and Seth Lugo all dealing with health concerns that directly impact both the rotation. The front office assessment is one of the episode's most substantive segments. Payroll construction, draft pedigree, farm system depth, and the available trade assets are all examined as Jacob and Jeremy try to map out what realistic deadline options exist for a team at this particular crossroads. The prospect conversation touches on Justin Lamkin, among others, with an eye toward which names in the system could factor into either a trade or a call-up scenario in the weeks ahead. Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky – Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com – Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X – Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min
  4. Royals Surge in June: Caglianone's Breakout, Perez's Record Chase, and Picollo Talks Deadline

    10 Jun

    Royals Surge in June: Caglianone's Breakout, Perez's Record Chase, and Picollo Talks Deadline

    The Kansas City Royals are heating up, and we break down what is driving the surge and whether it can last long enough to force some interesting decisions before the trade deadline. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco open with a recap of Tuesday's win and the momentum building into the middle of the month. Salvador Perez is in the middle of a record chase, but the team captain's ice-cold run hinders his record-setting chances. The bigger individual story, though, is Jac Caglianone's career night, a breakout performance for a broader look at his hot streak and what it could mean for his role going forward. On the pitching side, Stephen Kolek's solid start buoyed the win, while Alex Lange, Steven Cruz, and Daniel Lynch IV drew some attention to how the relief corps has been managed through this stretch. The offensive improvements in June, particularly with runners in scoring position are notable, but are they sustainable? Can this version of the Royals lineup hold up, and what would it mean for the front office's trade deadline posture if it does? Jacob and Jeremy dig into the front office mindset and the buy-sell-hold question directly, including a bold and specific trade idea: sending Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to the Cubs in exchange for prospects. It is a speculative but wild scenario that could be the ideal outcome for a selling Royals squad. The episode also features a deep dive into Baseball Savant's Swing Timing and Miss Distance leaderboard, a newer tool that offers insight into which Royals pitchers are generating deception and which opposing hitters are making competitive contact. Kyle Isbel's injury and Kam Misner's call-up round out the roster news, with the hosts assessing what those moves mean for organizational depth at this stage of the season. Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky – Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com – Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X – Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min
  5. Royals Tread Water While the Trade Deadline and Injury List Demand Answers

    8 Jun

    Royals Tread Water While the Trade Deadline and Injury List Demand Answers

    The Kansas City Royals finished a 5-5 road trip and hold a 6-6-1 record over their last thirteen series, numbers that tell the story of a team hovering right at the edge of relevance. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco are joined by guest Matthew LaMar to work through what that record actually means and whether this roster has enough to make a genuine push. The episode opens with a thorough breakdown of the road trip results and the series consistency metric that Jacob, Jeremy, and Matthew use to frame the team's trajectory. The Wild Card and division standings get honest treatment, with a clear-eyed look at what the Royals would need to do over the coming weeks to keep their playoff hopes alive rather than simply tread water. Injuries are a significant part of the conversation. Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, and Jac Caglianone are among the players whose health situations are addressed, and the hosts dig into how those absences are affecting lineup construction and organizational depth. The discussion naturally flows into pitching strategy, with a substantive evaluation of the six-man rotation concept and how bullpen management decisions could either protect the staff or cost the team in close games down the stretch. Noah Cameron provides one of the episode's brighter moments. His recent standout performance is broken down in detail, and the hosts assess what a consistent version of Cameron could mean for a rotation that has needed reliable innings all season. On the trade front, reported Athletics interest in Kris Bubic generates a thoughtful discussion about what moving a piece could return and how the front office might be thinking about the deadline. The episode closes with book and series reviews from all three participants, covering The Lord of the Rings, the Murderbot Diaries, and the horror novel Episode Thirteen, before a final outlook on where this team goes from here. Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky – Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com – Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X – Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1hr 9min
  6. Royals Hit a New Low: Sweeps, Struggles, and Hard Questions for the Front Office

    31 May

    Royals Hit a New Low: Sweeps, Struggles, and Hard Questions for the Front Office

    The Kansas City Royals are in a tailspin, and this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast does not look away. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco take stock of a team that has two consecutive series sweeps and gone 3-10 over the last fifteen days, a stretch that has raised serious questions about accountability at every level of the organization. The episode opens with a frank assessment of where the Royals sit in the MLB standings, including an uncomfortable comparison to the Detroit Tigers at the bottom of the AL Central. The offensive numbers are hard to look at: low OPS, poor contact angles, and a lack of consistency from players who were expected to anchor the lineup. Daniel Lynch's struggles receive specific attention, and the hosts work through what the team's exit-velocity and hitting-angle data suggest about whether these problems are correctable in-season or reflect something more deeply structural. The pitching staff is in no better shape. The team ERA and bullpen performance both come under scrutiny, alongside injury updates that continue to limit the coaching staff's options. Jacob and Jeremy address the growing calls for managerial accountability head-on, placing the current situation in historical context, examining what firing a manager mid-season has and has not accomplished for teams in similar positions, and what that conversation reveals about where real responsibility lies. The front office does not escape examination either. Roster management, the lack of meaningful transactions, and the broader ownership and organizational decisions that have shaped this roster are all part of a candid conversation about what it will actually take to build a competitive team in Kansas City again, whether through trades, spending, or a more patient rebuild oriented toward 2027 and beyond. A look around the rest of the league offers some relief, with notable performances from Shohei Ohtani and a resurgent Mike Trout providing context for what elite baseball looks like right now. The episode also marks a significant milestone, Michael Wacha's 300th career start, before closing with a personal gaming recommendation and some final reflections on what, if anything, still offers reason for optimism this season. Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky – Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com – Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X – Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    50 min
  7. Royals on Pace for 98 Losses While MLB Labor Talks Could Change Everything

    29 May

    Royals on Pace for 98 Losses While MLB Labor Talks Could Change Everything

    The 2026 Kansas City Royals season has taken a difficult turn, and Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco are not pretending otherwise. This episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast navigates a bleak stretch of baseball with the honesty and perspective that have defined the show through the tough times. The episode opens with the latest roster moves, including the minor-league additions of bullpen veterans Luke Jackson and Genesis Cabrera. The hosts assess what that depth actually provides for a team currently on pace for 98 losses, and whether organizational decisions at this stage of the season reflect a coherent plan or simply roster management for its own sake. The Bailey Falter start controversy, the Evan Sisk trade, and the outfield and rotation struggles all factor into a candid conversation about where this team has fallen short and why. Road performance and diminished resilience after losses are identified as particular concerns, and Jacob and Jeremy work through what the remaining schedule realistically offers for a team that has struggled to capitalize on opportunities throughout the year. The episode's most expansive segment shifts to the broader baseball landscape, with a thorough breakdown of the MLB collective bargaining proposals currently on the table. Increased minimum salaries, pre-arbitration pools, spending floors, and the ongoing revenue sharing debate all get detailed treatment. The hosts examine what a proposed salary cap could mean specifically for small market teams like the Royals, and how the spending models of clubs like the Dodgers and Padres illustrate the competitive imbalance at the heart of these negotiations. It is a timely and substantive conversation that goes well beyond the typical frustration with league economics. Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky – Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com – Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X – Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    48 min
  8. Royals Take Down the Mariners But the Yankees Are a Different Challenge

    25 May

    Royals Take Down the Mariners But the Yankees Are a Different Challenge

    Six hundred and fifty-plus episodes in, and the Royals Rundown Podcast is still finding new angles on Kansas City Royals baseball. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco mark the milestone with one of the more wide-ranging conversations, from a series victory over the Seattle Mariners to a daunting date with the New York Yankees on the horizon. The episode opens on a high note, recapping the Royals' series win and the momentum it has generated heading into a critical stretch. Stephen Kolek is the pitching story of the week, delivering a complete game that doubles as one of the more unusual performances of the MLB season. Finishing with two or fewer strikeouts in a complete game is a feat rare enough that the hosts put it in full historical context. The bullpen's contributions during the stretch also get their due, with the quality start metrics painting an encouraging picture of where the pitching staff stands right now. The Yankees series preview is where the conversation takes on a sharper edge. Kansas City's historical struggles against New York, including a 20-1 series record and a current ten-game losing streak against the club, frame a preview that is equal parts analytical and frank. With playoff positioning on the line, Jacob and Jeremy assess what winning this series would mean for the Royals' postseason outlook and whether this roster is equipped to finally flip the script. Pitching depth and roster construction also factor in, with a look at Noah Cameron, Seth Lugo, and Michael Wacha, who is approaching his 300th MLB start, alongside injury updates on Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic, and James McArthur. On the transaction wire, the DFA of Elias Diaz, the signing of Luke Jackson, and Tyler Tolbert's evolving role are all addressed. Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky – Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com – Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X – Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    38 min
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The Royals Rundown, presented by Royals Review. Join hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco as he talks to Royals Review writers, Royals content creators, players, and more about all things Kansas City Royals. Formerly Royals Review Radio.

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