Royals Option Ryan Bergert, Three Others and Send Helcris Olivarez to Minor League Camp

On Tuesday evening, during the World Baseball Classic, the Royals announced via social media that they would option pitchers Ryan Bergert and Mason Black and outfielders Kameron Misner and John Rave to Triple-A Omaha. They also announced that they would be assigning reliever Helcris Olivarez to Minor League Camp.

Bergert is the most high-profile player of this group not to make the Opening Day roster. The 26-year-old showed promise last year after being acquired from the Padres with Stephen Kolek for Freddy Fermin. That said, much like last year, consistency proved to be a problem for the talented righty.

Bergert made four starts in Cactus League play and pitched 9.2 innings. In that sample, he posted a 6.42 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 9.41 FIP, and 11.9% K-BB%. He showed excellent stuff this spring, as his 102 TJ Stuff+ was the fourth-best mark of Royals pitchers this spring, according to TJ Stats. However, he struggled with his command, as illustrated by his 38.5% HR/FB% and 43.5% zone rate. His overall Statcast percentiles were promising, for the most part. Conversely, it makes sense for the Royals to let him develop as a starting pitcher in Omaha, where he will get regular innings.

Black was acquired from the Giants this offseason, and his role seems to be fluid when it comes to whether he will start or pitch in relief in 2026.  That said, the former top San Francisco pitching prospect held his own in Cactus League play, which made his demotion tough for the Royals.

In six appearances and eight innings pitched, he posted a 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 2.23 FIP, and 15.6% K-BB%. Black didn't generate a lot of chase (16.7% O-Swing%), and his stuff was a bit inconsistent (95 overall TJ Stuff+). However, he showed that he can throw strikes (28.5% CSW), limited contact on pitches in the zone (78th percentile Z-Contact%), and he could be an option in the bullpen if injury or ineffectiveness hit one of the projected Royals relievers. 

The last pitcher to be cut from the Spring Training roster was Olivarez, who was also acquired from the Giants this offseason. Olivarez had one of the most electric fastballs in Spring Training, velocity-wise. His 97.5 MPH fastball velocity was the second-best mark of Royals pitchers this spring, behind only Dennis Colleran (97.9 MPH FB velocity). Unfortunately, control was an issue for the lefty.

In addition to an 8.53 ERA and 1.74 WHIP, Olivarez posted a 42.5% zone rate and a 16.1% BB%, the latter ranking in the 12th percentile. He also didn't generate many strikeouts (19.4% K%) or chase (18.5% O-Swing%). The 25-year-old sports a strong curveball, which had a 108 TJ Stuff+, but his four-seamer, which has good velocity, still needs refinement. The four-seamer had a 98 TJ Stuff+, which is slightly below average.

There's no question that Olivarez isn't ready yet, but he could be mid-season, especially if he can improve his four-seamer and generate more swing-and-miss in the Minor Leagues, whether it's in Omaha or Northwest Arkansas (likely the former). On a positive note, he showed a strong ability to generate groundballs, as his 77.8% GB% ranked in the 99th percentile this spring. 

In terms of hitters, Rave and Misner were optioned to Omaha, which makes sense after the acquisition of Starling Marte this spring. Neither Misner nor Rave hit for a high average this spring, as they posted batting averages of .226 and .231, respectively. However, Misner outperformed Rave overall in Cactus League play. 

In 36 plate appearances this spring, Rave posted a .713 OPS and had two doubles, two triples, and two stolen bases. Rave did a good job of pulling the ball in the air, but he struggled in nearly every other Statcast category this spring, as illustrated in his Statcast summary from TJ Stats. 

Misner, on the other hand, showed some solid power and plate discipline this spring but lost out due to a crowded outfield situation.

In 30 plate appearances, he posted a .333 OBP, .462 slugging, and .795 OPS. He had a homer, a triple, a double, and six RBI this spring and generated a 15% barrel rate and 60% hard-hit rate. He also didn't chase much, as evidenced by his 22.9% O-Swing%, which ranked in the 71st percentile, according to TJ Stats.

With a strong ability to launch the ball this spring (98th percentile LA Sweet-Spot%) and pull the ball in the air (86th percentile Pull Air%), he could be similar to MJ Melendez in terms of power and on-base potential, even if the batting average may be lackluster. Misner could find himself back in the Majors if injury befalls one of the outfielders in 2026, and he could provide sneaky production if given the opportunity.