In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy “Hokius” Greco tackle a wide-ranging slate of MLB topics with a sharp focus on how league-wide decisions ripple down to the Kansas City Royals.

The conversation begins with a deep dive into Tarik Skubal’s arbitration case, examining why the gap between player and team is so unusual and what it reveals about the current arbitration system. From there, Jacob and Jeremy analyze Alex Bregman’s contract, discussing what the deal says about shifting spending philosophies and how similar market dynamics could affect the Royals. The hosts also weigh in on Rob Manfred’s latest proposals, debating how structural changes at the league level may prioritize revenue over competitive balance.

The second half of the episode zeroes in on the Royals themselves, with a comprehensive first base review across the major and minor league levels. From Vinnie Pasquantino’s importance to the franchise to the thin depth behind him, the hosts evaluate internal options such as Abraham Toro, Sam Ruta, Derlin Figueroa, Chris Brito, and others. They break down performance metrics, developmental timelines, and roster realities, ultimately asking whether the Royals can solve first base internally or if trades will be necessary.

Blending labor economics, roster construction, and player development analysis, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at where the Royals stand, where they’re vulnerable, and what smart decision-making will be required heading into the season.

Email Jacob directly at: jm17971047@gmail.com

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

Kansas City Royals, Royals Rundown Podcast, Major League Baseball, MLB arbitration, Tarik Skubal, Alex Bregman contract, Rob Manfred, baseball contracts, first base prospects, Vinnie Pasquantino, Abraham Toro, Sam Ruta, Royals first base depth, minor league baseball, player evaluation, MLB prospects, baseball analysis, Royals Review, player development, MLB news

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In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco break down a busy stretch of Royals-related news with long-term implications for the organization. The conversation opens with a detailed look at the MLB arbitration deadline, exploring how contract negotiations shape roster decisions, player relationships, and payroll flexibility for the Kansas City Royals.

From there, the hosts dive into the evolving FanDuel Sports Network situation, discussing how recent contract terminations affect local broadcasts, revenue streams, and fan access across Major League Baseball—including the Royals. They also provide updates and context on the Royals’ stadium situation, weighing what’s known, what’s speculation, and why Kansas City remains central to the team’s future.

The back half of the episode delivers an in-depth catcher rankings review, evaluating the present and future of the position within the Royals organization. With thoughtful analysis of Salvador Perez, emerging talent Carter Jensen, and the broader catching pipeline, Jacob and Jeremy examine how player development, health, and offensive skill sets factor into long-term planning.

Blending front-office analysis with player evaluation and a touch of personality, this episode offers Royals fans a clear-eyed look at where the organization stands—and where it may be headed next.

Email Jacob directly at: jm17971047@gmail.com

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

Royals Rundown podcast, Kansas City Royals, MLB arbitration, player contracts, FanDuel Sports Network, Royals stadium situation, catcher rankings, Salvador Perez, Carter Jensen, player development, MLB media rights, baseball business, Royals prospects, roster construction, MLB news

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What happens when private equity meets baseball—and who actually pays the price?

In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco are joined by Jen Ramos Eisen for an in-depth conversation about the growing influence of private equity in minor league baseball and what it means for players, fans, and communities. Together, they unpack how ownership models are changing the economics of the sport, from player development and quality of play to ticket pricing and long-term sustainability.

The discussion takes a hard look at labor negotiations, including why tensions are rising between players and ownership, what a future salary floor could mean for competitive balance, and why every MLB team has the financial ability—but not always the willingness—to invest more in their product. Jen also challenges the long-standing “small market” narrative, explaining why geography often masks deeper financial realities.

The episode also explores the role of public funding in sports, questioning whether stadium deals and taxpayer investments truly benefit local communities or primarily serve ownership interests. With minor league teams increasingly treated as assets rather than community institutions, the conversation highlights the broader societal implications of modern baseball ownership.

Find Jen and their work at: https://jenramose.online/, https://bsky.app/profile/jenramose.online, https://placeholders.beehiiv.com/, https://defector.com/author/jen-ramos-eisen, https://objectivejournalism.org/author/jen-ramos/

Email Jacob directly at: jm17971047@gmail.com

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

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What can history tell us about the Kansas City Royals’ next move and when should fans expect it?

In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco take a big-picture look at the Royals’ offseason, identifying clear transaction patterns from recent years and what they could signal about the club’s next move. From late winter-meeting signings to surprise trades, the duo explains why patience may be key for Kansas City this offseason.

The conversation turns to Vinnie Pasquantino, examining how he views his own performance through the lens of modern analytics and what that means for his development moving forward. Jacob and Jeremy also unpack major stadium news, including the Chiefs’ move to Kansas, and what it could mean financially and politically for the Royals’ long-term future in Kansas City.

The episode closes with a broader discussion on analytics and the state of baseball, questioning whether data-driven decision-making has improved the sport or stripped away some of its excitement. With doubles disappearing, triples becoming rare, and risk-taking minimized, the hosts debate how teams and fans should feel about where the game is headed.

As always, the show wraps with predictions on what the Royals could still do before Opening Day, and why an unexpected move may still be on the table.

Email Jacob directly at: jm17971047@gmail.com

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

Kansas City Royals, Royals Rundown Podcast, MLB offseason, Vinnie Pasquantino, baseball analytics, Royals transactions, stadium news Kansas City, MLB predictions, Royals roster moves, baseball strategy, sports analytics debate, Royals offseason patterns, MLB free agency, Kansas City sports, baseball podcast, Royals analysis

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What does baseball look like when you step behind the lens?

In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, Jeremy “Hokius” Greco sits down with Minda Haas Kuhlmann, independent sports photographer for the Omaha Storm Chasers, to explore the art, access, and storytelling that define modern sports photography.

Minda traces her path into photography through journalism, explains how candid moments create authentic connections between players and fans, and shares what it’s like to document minor league baseball up close. From unexpected player interactions to historically significant moments caught on camera, she reveals how trust, timing, and respect are just as important as technical skill.

The conversation dives into the technical side of photography—gear choices, framing, and learning to anticipate moments—while also highlighting the human side of the game. Minda discusses how players respond to photographers, why minor league baseball is essential to the sport’s future, and how fans can help preserve baseball culture by showing up and supporting their local teams.

This episode blends craft, culture, and storytelling, offering valuable insight for baseball fans, creatives, and anyone interested in how sports are documented beyond the box score.

Follow Minda on BlueSky here: @minda33.bsky.social

Find her work on Flickr!

Email Jacob directly at: jm17971047@gmail.com

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

sports photography, baseball photography, candid sports moments, minor league baseball, Omaha Storm Chasers, Royals Rundown Podcast, Royals Review, baseball culture, player interactions, photography techniques, sports storytelling, behind the scenes baseball, sports journalism, photography tips, baseball media, athlete stories, minor leagues, baseball fandom, creative sports content

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What do the numbers actually say about the Kansas City Royals?

In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco welcome Dan Szymborski, creator of ZiPS, for a deep dive into the Royals’ latest projections and what they reveal about the team’s short- and long-term outlook.

The conversation begins with how ZiPS works, why projections are inherently volatile, and how historical context shapes modern baseball analytics. From there, the group digs into Kansas City’s roster—starting with recent acquisitions and a candid evaluation of the Royals’ outfield, a position group that has quietly limited the team in recent seasons.

They examine projected performances for players like Jonathan India, Isaac Collins, and Adam Frazier, discuss why catcher development often lags offensively, and analyze the Royals’ pitching depth and rotation stability. Dan also offers insight into reliever volatility, bounce-back candidates like Tanner Scott, and how strategic trades could meaningfully shift Kansas City’s projected outcomes.

This episode is a must-listen for fans who want to understand where the Royals stand and where the data says they could be headed.

Find the projections here: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-projections-kansas-city-royals/

In Dan's words, "You can, however, still get mad at me on Twitter or on Bluesky. This last is, however, not an actual requirement."

Email Jacob directly at: jm17971047@gmail.com

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

Kansas City Royals, Royals Rundown Podcast, ZiPS projections, baseball analytics, MLB projections, player performance analysis, Royals outfield, Royals pitching rotation, Tanner Scott, Jonathan India, Isaac Collins, Adam Frazier, player development, roster construction, baseball history, MLB analytics podcast, baseball projections, Royals roster outlook, MLB data analysis, baseball podcast, sports analytics, Royals future outlook

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The Royals are making moves—and this episode breaks down what they really mean.

Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco are joined by Thomas Nestico (TJ Stats) to analyze one of the most surprising trades of the offseason, as the Kansas City Royals strike a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that could quietly pay dividends. The trio discusses why Isaac Collins fits the Royals’ outfield plans, how Maikel Garcia’s contract extension signals long-term stability, and why Carter Jensen is quickly becoming one of the organization’s most intriguing prospects.

They also take an honest look at Jack Caglianone’s uneven rookie season, what needs to change for him to take the next step, and how the Royals’ evolving hitting philosophy, particularly their focus on chase rate, could shape future roster decisions. Along the way, the conversation dives into bullpen volatility, pitching depth in the farm system, and why player development remains the backbone of Kansas City’s path forward.

It’s a data-driven, big-picture discussion about where the Royals are headed—and why there’s real reason for optimism.

Subscribe to Thomas' Substack here: https://substack.com/@tjstats/notes?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page

Follow him on Twitter: https://x.com/TJStats

Find his brand-new website here: https://tjstats.ca/

Email Jacob directly at: jm17971047@gmail.com

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

Royals, Kansas City Royals, MLB, baseball, trade analysis, Milwaukee Brewers trade, Maikel Garcia extension, Carter Jensen, Jack Caglianone, Royals prospects, farm system, player development, Royals Review, TJStats, bullpen volatility, hitting philosophy, chase rate, outfield depth, MLB analytics, baseball podcast

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In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy "Hokius" Greco dig into a pivotal week for the Kansas City Royals and Major League Baseball.

First up: No Rule 5 Draft pick. Was this a missed opportunity or a calculated decision? The hosts explain the logic behind passing and how it ties into the club's roster philosophy.

Then, the Royals land the sixth overall pick in the MLB Draft Lottery—a welcome result that could be a turning point. Jacob and Jeremy break down what this means for the farm system and whether the team should draft for need or upside.

With key outfield targets off the board, the pressure is on. Are the Royals falling behind in free agency, or do they have something brewing behind the scenes? The episode dives into trade rumors, potential multi-team deals, and why player development and scouting remain more crucial than ever.

Email Jacob directly at: jm17971047@gmail.com

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

Royals Rundown Podcast, Kansas City Royals, MLB Draft, Rule 5 Draft, Winter Meetings, Free Agency, Outfield Trade Rumors, Player Development, Scouting, Baseball Podcast, Royals rebuild, Royals prospects, Royals trade rumors, baseball offseason, MLB winter meetings recap, Royals analysis, baseball draft strategy, Royals outfield needs, Royals front office strategy

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