2019 Spring Gamethread XVI - Royals at Diamondbacks (split squad)

The Royals are in Scottsdale today to take on a split squad portion of the Diamondbacks. Jakob Junis takes the mound for the first time this spring with a bunch of backups and minor leaguers playing behind him. Don’t read too much into this start. The Royals continue to play Brian Goodwin in CF while Brett Phillips patrols right when they both take the field at the same time. Considering that most of Phillips’ value is in his glove this doesn’t make much sense to me.

The Diamondbacks counter with Luke Weaver. Luke appears to have no relation to retired fellow starting pitchers with the last name Weaver Jeff and Jered. He pitched ineffectively for the Cardinals last year before being packaged in the deal that sent all-star first-baseman Paul Goldschmidt out of the desert.

When the lineup was announced it seemed today’s starting catcher, Meibrys Viloria was competing for a major league job but Ken Rosenthal reported shortly before noon CST that the Royals had signed Martin Maldonado to a one-year deal worth $2.5M. That probably precludes fan-favorite Frank Schwindel from having a shot at making the roster that way, as well.

Lineups