St. Joseph native Noah Cameron making strong case for Royals’ roster spot

St. Joseph native and Central High School alum Noah Cameron is making a strong case for a spot in the Kansas City Royals’ pitching rotation after an impressive 2024 season in Double-A and Triple-A.

Cameron’s former coach, Brent Seifert, first met him during his eighth grade summer and later coached him at Central, where his dedication stood out from the start.

“He started as our number three on the mound, and every time he got out there, he was better, and the next one was better, and the next one was better,” Seifert said. “Every opportunity he got, he took advantage of. I think he ended up probably being our ace by the end of that year.”

Looking at last season’s numbers, a 3.08 ERA and a 27.8% strikeout rate, it’s hard to believe Cameron was never a full-time starter at the high school level.

Despite that, his relentless work ethic set him apart, allowing him to thrive in crucial moments.

“He took every opportunity he got and always produced,” Seifert said. “He took an opportunity in high school, and that led to another one. I think he started as a midweek starter for Central Arkansas and ended up a weekend starter by the end of his career.”

Achieving success at a young age can cause some athletes to focus solely on the present, forgetting where they came from and who helped shape them. However, Cameron isn’t one of them. After watching the pitcher’s postgame interview following a strong spring training outing, Seifert saw the same humble, grounded kid he had met years ago.

“The answers were the same, he’s the same guy,” Seifert said. “I think he would have given that same interview in high school that he did a couple days ago after his first big league spring outing.”

As more young athletes come through Marek Baseball Academy, Seifert hopes they recognize the dedication Cameron put into his craft and realize they, too, can reach the highest level.

“Not only has he come from St. Joe, but he’s done it the right way, and he’s still doing it the right way,” Seifert said. “I hope it allows kids to dream. It might seem far away, but it’s really not if you put in the work and keep the right mindset.”