Kansas City Royals open spring training with 5-2 victory, Central alum Noah Cameron impresses

The Kansas City Royals kicked off their Spring Training schedule with a 5-2 victory over the Texas Rangers, highlighted by strong pitching. Royals pitchers combined for nine shutout innings without allowing a walk, hopefully setting an early tone for can come during the season.

Daniel Lynch IV got the nod to start on the mound, making a strong first impression. He would strike out Marcus Semien and Corey Seager in a perfect first inning.

Trying to lock himself in the Royals' final rotation spot, Lynch completed two scoreless frames. The Royals' got their offense really early, striking in the second inning when Nick Loftin’s ground ball brought in two runs following a hit-by-pitch and walk.

Texas would not go away, briefly tying the game in the sixth inning with three consecutive hits off Austin Cox. Unlike previous Royals' teams, Kansas City responded in the bottom sixth with a three-run homer from Tyler Gentry to reclaim the lead.

In a shocking debut, Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino went hitless, while Loftin finished 2-for-2. 

While Lynch set the tone early, it was local product, left-hander Noah Cameron who stole the spotlight. The Royals’ No. 12 prospect threw two innings, needing just 13 pitches, 11 of them strikes, while only allowing one hit. Cameron averaged 95 mph on his fastball while effectively mixing in a variety of pitches into his arsenal. 

Cameron entered camp as what some considered a long shot to make the roster, but with injuries plaguing Alec Marsh and Kyle Wright, his opportunity might be around the corner.