Published by Kansas City Royals Baseball
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.
Listen on Apple Podcasts54 min
Trade rumors are swirling, and the Kansas City Royals' decisions over the next several days could shape the franchise well beyond this season. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco dig into what is really brewing behind the scenes as the deadline approaches. The Royals' current standing puts them squarely in seller territory, and Jacob and Jeremy make the case for why bold moves are necessary rather than optional. Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo both represent real value on the trade market right now, and holding onto controllable veterans at this stage of a lost season risks missing a window that will not stay open. The hosts break down what realistic packages could look like and why the front office cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. Developing young talent remains the priority, and continuing to lean on aging arms works against that goal rather than supporting it. Jacob and Jeremy connect the current deadline decisions directly to the organization's outlook for 2027 and beyond, making clear that what happens in the next few days will say a lot about whether this front office is serious about the rebuild. 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.
1 hr 12 min
Salvador Perez is now the Kansas City Royals' all-time home run leader, and Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco give the record-breaking moment the full treatment it deserves. Perez's sustained power, his ability to keep producing at this stage of his career, and the curious absence of recognition from MLB The Show all factor into a broader conversation about his place in franchise history. The record-breaking shot could not have come at a more fitting time, and the final stretch of the season could still add to his total in meaningful ways. The trade deadline is closing in, and the Royals need to approach it as sellers. Jacob and Jeremy work through the latest rumors, potential player moves, and what realistic returns look like for the pieces the front office should prioritize moving. Lane Thomas is among the names in play, and the market dynamics around him and others are worth understanding before the deadline arrives. Noah Cameron followed up a difficult 2026 with a career-best start, and the mechanical and strategic differences from his earlier outings are worth isolating. Whether it signals a genuine adjustment or remains an outlier will depend on what comes next, but the performance itself demands attention. The Kansas City stadium debate is heating up, with Jeremy's recent article on the process providing important context. The public vote, the tension between public need and corporate interest, and what the outcome could mean for the franchise's long-term future in Kansas City all deserve the attention they are getting. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
36 min
Salvador Perez has tied George Brett with 317 career home runs as a Royal, and this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast gives the milestone its moment before turning to a trade deadline that is now days away. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco open with the home run series against the Giants, Perez's recent hot streak against NL pitching, and the slider-heavy strategies opposing staffs have deployed to try to contain him. The record-breaking shot could come any game now, and the hosts explore what it would mean for a player who has defined what it means to be a Royal for over a decade. The Royals have already acquired Nate Pearson, and Jacob and Jeremy evaluate what his stuff and upside could look like in Kansas City's bullpen, both as a short-term addition and as a longer-term development project. Injury updates on Stephen Kolek, Kyle Isbel, and Bobby Witt Jr. cover rehab timelines and the ripple effects on roster construction and player roles while all three work their way back. The prospect segment features the latest FanGraphs top 100 list, with Kendry Chourio, Josh Hammond, and Angeibel Gomez among the Royals names drawing attention. 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.
52 min
The Kansas City Royals followed up a series win with a surreal 19-2 Sunday blowout, and this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast sorts through all of it as the trade deadline inches closer. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco open with the series recap, balancing the positives of the win over the San Diego Padres against the lopsided defeats that characterize 2026. Salvador Perez's chase for the Royals' all-time home run record, Jac Caglianone's slamming season, and Noah Cameron's struggles Sunday lead the conversation. On the health front, Bobby Witt Jr.'s latest injury scare and Stephen Kolek's arm concerns both demand attention. The hosts assess what each situation means for lineup stability and pitching depth during a stretch where the Royals cannot afford to lose key contributors for any extended period. Prospects Kendry Chourio, Josh Hammond, Angeibel Gomez, and Blake Mitchell all draw some praise after each has a standout start following the All-Star break. The 2026 draft class also gets a status update, with a look at which selections have signed and which remain unsigned. The trade deadline conversation centers on a controversial proposal from Jim Bowden involving Michael Wacha and prospects. Jacob and Jeremy dissect the deal from both sides, examining what it would return, what it would cost, and whether it reflects a realistic valuation of Wacha's market or the kind of media-driven speculation that rarely survives contact with actual front office negotiations. 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
The All-Star break is in the rearview, and the Kansas City Royals must move on to the second half. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco use this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast to reflect on the festivities, revisit the draft with fresh eyes, and map out what the remaining months of the 2026 season should look like for an organization at a critical juncture. The episode opens with a full recap of All-Star week, including standout performances from the game itself, the Home Run Derby surprises, and how the Royals' representatives fared on the national stage. The hosts break down notable derby distances and the moments that stood out from slugger Jac Caglianone despite his first-round exit. The Zion Rose draft analysis gets a second pass now that the initial reactions have settled. Jacob and Jeremy revisit the pick alongside the rest of the Royals' draft haul, incorporating Keith Law's evaluations of where these selections fit within the organization's longer-term development timeline. The prospect pipeline and farm system health are evaluated with an eye toward which names could factor into the promotion picture sooner rather than later. Jacob and Jeremy cover MLB's new regulation on artificial intelligence use in dugouts, a policy development with real implications for how teams process information during games. The hosts offer their thoughts on where the line should be drawn between technological advantage and preserving the authenticity of in-game decision-making. The trade market conversation continues to build, with Michael Wacha's value and potential destinations drawing the most attention among the pitchers who could be moved before the deadline. The 2027 schedule reveal also gets a brief look, offering the earliest glimpse at what the next chapter could look like structurally. Overall, it boils down to this: what must the Royals do in their remaining 65 games? Jacob and Jeremy each have different priorities! 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.
1 hr 12 min
The MLB Draft is in the books, the first half is officially over, and the Kansas City Royals made a selection at sixth overall that has generated strong opinions on both sides. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco do not hold back in this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, breaking down the Zion Rose pick, the organizational philosophy behind it, and whether the front office outsmarted itself on draft night. The Zion Rose selection is examined from every angle: his tools, his evaluations from analysts like Keith Law, his character and work ethic as revealed in interviews, and the broader question of whether the Royals reached for upside when other options were available. The under-slot strategy and the additional picks it enabled, including Rabe and Slightom, each get their own evaluation, with Jacob and Jeremy debating whether the overall package of selections justifies the approach or represents the kind of organizational overthinking that has become a pattern. Front office accountability is a thread that runs throughout. Payroll decisions, team-building philosophy, and comparisons to how organizations like the Mets, Rays, and Brewers allocate resources add useful context to the conversation about what small and mid-market teams can realistically accomplish when the decision-making is sharp. The hosts also close the book on the first half of the season, taking stock of where things went wrong and what, if anything, can be salvaged in the months ahead. The trade deadline looms, and the case for moving established arms like Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha continues to build as the losses have piled up. Relief pitcher Matt Strahm's performance and injury status also factor into the bullpen evaluation after yet another blow-up appearance. The episode wraps with All-Star week predictions, including Home Run Derby picks and the Zack Wheeler ego, before closing with MLB The Show updates and a recommendation for Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
49 min
All-Star Week is nearly here, the MLB Draft is around the corner, and the Kansas City Royals have plenty to talk about on both fronts. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco bring the energy, covering everything from Home Run Derby to draft strategy to a historic hitting streak from the unlikeliest of players. Jac Caglianone is set for his first career Home Run Derby and we celebrate the power breakout that has defined his last month. Let's break down his home run projections, his raw power profile, and how he would stack up against the rest of the Derby field. Hunter Goodman's case for an invite also gets debated, alongside a broader discussion about the trend of players declining Derby participation and what that means for the event's future. Tyler Tolbert's historic hitting streak is the standout moment from the recent Mets series recap. Jacob and Jeremy place his run in context within baseball's records, even as the series results themselves were mixed and defensive errors continued to be a problem. With the Royals holding the sixth overall pick, we dig into the ceiling-versus-floor debate that shapes every draft strategy conversation, evaluate specific prospects who could be in play, and outline what the organization should be prioritizing given where the franchise currently sits. 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.
1 hr 4 min
The trade deadline is approaching, and the Kansas City Royals have decisions to make. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco use this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast to work through every angle of what should be one of the most consequential stretches in the organization's near-term future. The episode opens with a look at the recent homestand struggles, including a matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies, defensive inconsistency, and a bullpen that has not been able to stabilize for any sustained period. The coaching staff's decision-making and lineup management draw comparison to how the Phillies have navigated their own challenges. The injury report continues to be long and consequential. Kyle Isbel has suffered a setback, Vinnie Pasquantino heads to Omaha, and Maikel Garcia's status is cloudier than a Kansas spring sky. Cole Ragans' injury gives him a trifecta of surgeries that no pitcher should look to achieve. On a more celebratory note, Bobby Witt Jr. and Michael Wacha earned All-Star selections, recognition that the hosts acknowledge with appropriate pride before turning the conversation back to what the trade value could look like if the front office decides to be aggressive sellers. The Lugo and Wacha trade conversation from previous episodes gets expanded here, with Salvador Perez's potential trade value, injury concerns, and legacy also entering the discussion. The talent pipeline evaluation is thorough. Jacob and Jeremy work through prospect valuations, FanGraphs future value grades, and specific names the organization should be targeting in return if they move established pieces. The hosts also examine the Minnesota Twins' recent fire sale as a case study for what a bold deadline approach could look like, and whether the Royals' front office has the appetite to follow that model. 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.
1 hr 7 min
The Royals just can't beat the AL East. They also can't stop getting hurt. And they can't stop giving up home runs to Junior Caminero, either. Or, well, they can now that they're done playing the Rays for the year. I hope. Later, Jeremy is joined by Brian Page of Rapsodo to talk about all the amazing advances in baseball technology! Finally, Jeremy, unrestrained by Jacob, goes on a WAY too long rant about the video game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 . If you skip that part, we promise not to hold it against you. 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.
56 min
The Kansas City Royals salvaged the final game against the Chicago White Sox, but the series as a whole told a familiar story: a team fighting through injuries, inconsistency, and organizational questions that do not have easy answers. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco break it all down with the kind of honest, detailed analysis Royals fans can to rely on. The injury updates dominate the early portion of the episode, and for good reason. Maikel Garcia, Cole Ragans, Carlos Estevez, Nick Mears, and Jac Caglianone are all in various stages of dealing with health concerns, and the hosts work through each timeline while continuing to press on a theme that has defined this season. On the brighter side, Carter Jensen's historic hitting streak remains one of the best stories on this roster. Jacob and Jeremy examine how recent lineup adjustments, including the protection behind Jensen in the batting order, have contributed to his sustained production. Bobby Witt Jr.'s return to the lineup also draws attention, on whether or not his quick return is the right move. The roster management conversation is expansive. Bullpen usage, the struggles of starter Luinder Avila and what his future role might look like, and the broader organizational strategy around waiver claims and roster churn all come into focus. The episode closes with a reminder that has become a recurring and genuine part of the show: the importance of taking mental breaks during a season this difficult. 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
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.
1 hr 8 min
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.
45 min
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.
44 min
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.
1 hr 9 min
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.
50 min
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.
47 min
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.
38 min
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.
1 hr 16 min
The Kansas City Royals sit at 20-30 with nine losses in their last ten games, and Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco are not here to sugarcoat it. This episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast takes an unflinching look at a team that has the talent to compete but has struggled to put it together consistently when it matters most. The episode opens with a full breakdown of the sweep against the Boston Red Sox, a result that crystallizes the disconnect between what this roster is capable of and what it has actually delivered. Pitching inconsistencies, injuries, and an offense that has gone quiet at the wrong times are all examined in detail, alongside a candid discussion of the managerial decisions and organizational choices that continue to generate debate among the fanbase. The playoff picture gets honest treatment as well. With the AL wild card race remaining competitive, Jacob and Jeremy assess what a realistic path forward looks like and what would need to change for this team to claw back into contention before the trade deadline forces the front office's hand. The back half of the episode shifts to the farm system, and it is one of the more comprehensive prospect breakdowns the show has delivered in recent memory thanks to Preston Farr. Carson Roccaforte's development draws significant attention, and the hosts work through the depth at Omaha alongside evaluations of Shields, Lamkin, Lombardi, and several of the exciting names emerging at the lower levels of the system. International signings and recent draft trends also factor into a conversation about what the next wave of Royals talent could look like. The episode closes with a preview of the upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners, some reflection on fan sentiment and media narratives surrounding the club, and the kind of honest but grounded optimism that has defined this podcast through the tough stretches. 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.
1 hr 0 min
The Kansas City Royals snapped a losing streak with a win against the Cardinals, but one win does not erase the questions that have been building, and Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco are not shying away from any of them. The episode opens with an honest assessment of where this team stands relative to expectations, with patience for certain management decisions wearing noticeably thin. The most pointed conversation centers on Jac Caglianone's benching, which the hosts argue is being driven by questionable split-based reasoning. It is a lineup decision that invites a broader discussion about how the front office and coaching staff are evaluating talent and making in-game strategic calls. The player analysis segment covers significant ground. Salvador Perez's declining offensive numbers remain a concern, while Bobby Witt Jr.'s MVP-level resurgence offers one of the brightest storylines on the roster right now. The pitching staff also gets attention, with updates on Kolek, Lynch, and Falter rounding out a thorough look at where the staff stands heading into the next stretch of games. One of the episode's most technically rich segments is a deep dive into Caglianone's swing mechanics, specifically his attack angle and swing path. Drawing on data from Baseball Savant and principles from Driveline Baseball, Jacob and Jeremy work through what adjustments could unlock his considerable potential and why getting his mechanics right matters for the long-term outlook of this lineup. And yes, there is also a mystical mojo segment. The guys attempt to metaphysically uncurse the Royals, and it is exactly as entertaining as it sounds. 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.