The Kansas City Royals face the Mariners in June 2025 amid a historic slump. Can rookie Jac Caglianone spark an offense that's been shut out 10 times?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a grim statistic, but one that perfectly captures the state of the Kansas City Royals' offense: 10 shutouts. At the midseason mark, more than 23% of the team's 45 losses have come without scoring a single run. As the Royals head to Seattle to face the Mariners, the question isn't just about winning a game, but about finding any semblance of life at the plate.
The Kansas City Royals have been shut out 10 times this season, accounting for over 23% of their losses.
The numbers are stark. Beyond the 10 shutouts, the Royals have managed a meager four runs over their last five contests. The offensive outage has wasted solid pitching performances and dropped the team's record to 39-45. While mainstays like Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia have provided some consistency, the lineup as a whole has been unable to string together rallies or deliver the big hit. The pressure is mounting as the team desperately needs to find a way to support its pitching staff.
Into this offensive void stepped 2024 first-round pick Jac Caglianone. Called up on June 3 after tearing through the minor leagues, the rookie was tasked with providing an immediate jolt. He's already shown flashes of his immense power, blasting his first two MLB home runs (and receiving the classic silent treatment from his new teammates). However, the grind of the big leagues is real, and manager Matt Quatraro recently gave the young slugger a day off for a 'mental reset,' a sign of both the expectations placed upon him and the organization's desire to manage his development carefully.
While the big-league club searches for answers, the future is looking bright on the mound in the farm system. The High-A Quad Cities River Bandits boast one of the best pitching staffs in their league, riding the arms of prospects like Drew Beam and Felix Arronde to first place in the West Division. This pipeline of talent offers a glimmer of hope. However, it's not all good news, as No. 2 prospect, catcher Blake Mitchell, remains sidelined after suffering a setback during his rehab from a hamate injury.
The search for an offensive turnaround begins tonight in Seattle. Veteran right-hander Michael Wacha gets the start for Kansas City, hoping his lineup can provide him with some run support. The Royals, sitting at 19-21 on the road, face a tough Mariners team in a series that feels like a critical inflection point for their season. With no major trades on the immediate horizon, the solutions will have to come from the players already in the clubhouse.
As June comes to a close, the Royals are at a crossroads. The team has the pitching to compete, but the bats have been silent for too long. This series against the Mariners isn't just another set of games; it's a test of resilience. Can the current roster, led by its veterans and infused with new energy from Caglianone, find its rhythm? Or will the offensive woes continue to define their 2025 season? All eyes are on Seattle.
