Cameron could enter Royals' rotation competition

SURPRISE, Ariz. – The Royals kicked off their spring schedule with a 5-2 win over the Rangers on Friday afternoon at Surprise Stadium.

And if getting the full squad together earlier this week felt like the first day of school, the first Cactus League game felt like the first test, according to Bobby Witt Jr.

“We passed,” Witt said. “That’s what matters. But it was fun. Any time you get back on the field, it’s a great opportunity. … Fun to get back out there, knock a little bit of the rust off, get the jitters going, and then have fun.”

Here are three observations from Friday:

1. Keep an eye on Cameron
At the start of camp, Noah Cameron’s bid for a roster spot seemed far off with Major League pitchers ahead of the team’s No. 12 prospect. Now, with some injuries popping up, it might not be as long of a shot. Alec Marsh is delayed with right shoulder soreness, although he threw off the mound for the first time Friday. Kyle Wright was set back at least a week with a mild hamstring strain, right as he was returning from a long layoff after right shoulder surgery.

Marsh and Wright might not be fully built up by the end of camp. That means the fifth rotation spot competition narrows mainly to Kris Bubic and Daniel Lynch IV, who started Friday’s game with two scoreless innings. Cameron is being built up as a starter, but only had nine Triple-A starts last season, posting a 2.32 ERA. He probably needs more time there, but he’s on the 40-man roster, making him one of the first options the Royals would look at for depth.

A strong spring from the 25-year-old lefty makes the competition more interesting. The team has reassured Cameron that he’ll be helping out in Kansas City at some point in 2025, adding to his confidence.

“It’s been really cool, just taking it in every day,” Cameron said. “Obviously, I’m trying to win a spot. If that doesn’t happen, that’s totally OK. Whatever the team needs me to do to earn that spot, or earn a different spot, they know that I’m all for it. Just trying to help the team and make something happen.”

Cameron threw two innings Friday and needed just 13 pitches, 11 of them strikes. He allowed one hit and struck out Adolis Garcia on an 84.7 mph curveball. Cameron averaged 95 mph with his fastball but mixed in his curveball, cutter and best secondary pitch, the changeup.

“If guys want to swing, I’m all for it,” Cameron said.

2. India debuts in left field
Jonathan India made his spring debut for the Royals on Friday, batting leadoff and playing left field, a position he’s learning this spring to make room for both him and Michael Massey in the lineup. No fly balls came India’s way on Friday, but he did field a couple of grounders and threw in to the cutoff man. The Royals will be watching everything -- India’s throws, reactions, running -- as much as the catches and routes as they evaluate how he plays left field.

“For me, it’s making sure I make the right move with my first step,” India said. “Make sure I don’t come in right away. Because Kauffman is a big park, so I’ve got to be ready to be running around.”

But India also has to build up his arm strength with long toss and recovery, although he won’t change his arm angle and what he’s used to from second base to the outfield.

Offensively, it’s hard to imagine a better start for the guy the Royals are planning on having hit in front of Witt this season. India smoked a single in his first at-bat and worked a walk.

“It’s my game,” he said. “See pitches and compete.”

3. Loftin’s production
Third baseman Nick Loftin got the scoring going with a two-run single in the second inning, a 99.9 mph hopper up the middle. He followed it with another single in the third, then got aggressive advancing to second on catcher Brian O’Keefe’s flyout to center.

Loftin is competing for a bench spot with Kansas City this season, and that’s the kind of game he wants to bring to a roster spot. So far, so good.

“How can I pierce the ball into the gaps, play the game that I’ve been playing my entire life?” Loftin said. “My best attribute is my knowledge of the strike zone and bat-to-ball skills. So how can I maximize that?”