KC Royals were well represented in 2023 World Baseball Classic. Here’s how they did

While most of the Royals organization competed in the Cactus League this spring, a handful of Kansas City standouts shined in the World Baseball Classic throughout the last two weeks.

Although no Royals players were on the Japanese team that defeated the United States 3-2 in the championship game Tuesday night, the organization had 10 players in the tournament.

Ronald Bolaños, RHP (Cuba), Max Castillo, RHP (Venezuela, Designated Pitcher Pool), Robert Glendinning, INF (Australia), Carlos Hernández, RHP (Venezuela), Nicky Lopez, INF (Italy), MJ Melendez, C (Puerto Rico), Vinnie Pasquantino, INF (Italy), Salvador Perez, C (Venezuela), Brady Singer, RHP (USA), Bobby Witt Jr., INF (USA) were among the members in the World Baseball Classic.

Bolaños appeared in two games, starting one for Cuba. He threw 1 2/3 innings and allowed six runs, five earned in the tournament. The right-hander notched eight appearances out of the Royals bullpen last year in his third season with the team. He accumulated a 4.42 ERA.

Castillo did not appear in any games for Venezuela. He played for both the Royals and Toronto Blue Jays last season.

Carlos Hernandez was one of Venezuela’s best relief pitchers throughout the tournament. He threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Hernandez was 0-5 with a 7.39 ERA in his third season with the Royals last year. Venezuela went undefeated and won its group but lost to the United States in the quarterfinals. Hernandez struck out Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout and Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker to escape a sixth inning jam.

Salvador Perez was one of the Royals’ standouts in the tournament. He batted .429 with one home run and six RBIs. He also made the All-World Baseball Classic Team as the catcher.

Glendinning, a University of Missouri graduate, tallied six hits in 20 at-bats with two home runs and six RBIs. His four RBIs against Korea were key in an 8-7 upset win during group play. The 27-year-old also had three walks and one stolen base. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 21st round of the 2017 MLB Draft before playing for the Perth Heat in Australia from 2020-21. He then signed with the Royals.

Lopez was Italy’s most consistent hitter in the World Baseball Classic. He led the team with nine hits, a .474 batting average and seven RBIs. He will look to bring that presence to the Royals lineup again this year. Pasquantino had four hits in 20 at-bats for Italy in the tournament. Italy lost to the eventual champ, Japan, 9-3 in the quarterfinals.

Melendez had three hits in 15 at-bats for Puerto Rico. The 24-year-old shined in his rookie season with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs. Puerto Rico lost to Mexico in the Quarterfinals 5-4.

Both Witt Jr. and Singer were a part of Team USA, but neither had major roles. Witt had one hit, a double, in two at-bats and was primarily used as a pinch runner. Singer pitched in one game and allowed four earned runs in two innings.