Monday, February 24

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Back in November, the Royals added three prospects to their 40-man roster to protect from the Rule 5 Draft: Noah Cameron (No. 12 on last year’s MLB Pipeline Royals’ rankings), Luinder Avila (No. 26) and Eric Cerantola (No. 29).

With the way the Royals like to use their entire roster, all three pitchers have a shot at helping out Kansas City this season and add to the pitching depth.

Here’s a bit more about each of them and their plans this spring:

Noah Cameron, LHP

• Age: 25

• Hometown: St. Joseph, Mo.

• Acquired: 2021 MLB Draft (7th round) out of Central Arkansas 

• 2024 stats: 25 starts (16 in Double-A Northwest Arkansas, nine in Triple-A Omaha), 3.08 ERA, 128 2/3 innings, 27.8% strikeout rate, 6.7% walk rate, 1.21 WHIP

Cameron was the no-brainer to be added after his steady progress through the Minor Leagues and reaching Triple-A in ‘24. He’s a starter with excellent command and a keen understanding of how his stuff plays, with a standout changeup and curveball.

He’s also a local kid, having grown up in St. Joseph, Mo., and a big Royals fan. Cameron found out he was added to the 40-man roster when Royals vice president of player personnel Lonnie Goldberg and area scout Matt Price called him.

“They were like, ‘Hey, you’re going to be taking us out to dinner on your new little salary increase,’” Cameron said, laughing.

Now he’s in big league camp for the first time and vying for a roster spot. If he doesn’t win one out of camp -- pitchers like Kris Bubic and Daniel Lynch IV are ahead of him on the depth chart -- Cameron will head to the Triple-A rotation.

“It’s a lot different vibe, especially being over here in the other locker room,” Cameron said. “Just being around the guys, Bobby [Bobby Witt Jr.] and Salvy [Salvador Perez] and guys I’ve looked up to my whole life. It’s been really cool, just taking it in every day. … Whatever the team needs me to do to earn that spot, or earn a different spot, they know that I’m all for it.”

Luinder Avila, RHP

• Age: 23

• Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela

• Acquired: 2018 international signing class

• 2024 stats: 20 starts (19 in Double-A, one in Triple-A), 4.14 ERA, 87 innings, 22.4% strikeout rate, 12.4% walk rate, 1.41 WHIP

Last season was the first since 2021 that Avila didn’t throw more than 100 innings; he’s been a durable young pitcher even at the lower levels of the Minors, which has caught some eyes. Last season, he missed about six weeks with an oblique injury, but made it back for the end of the year before pitching in the Arizona Fall League, where he allowed five earned runs in 14 2/3 innings, striking out 17.

He had a good feeling as he left Arizona. Shortly after, the Royals called with the news about adding him to the roster.

“It was a low point getting hurt, but you learn you have a really good staff, coming in here and working with the trainers and walking out feeling even better than you went in,” Avila said through interpreter Luis Perez. “Pitching in the Fall League was a really good experience.”

Avila is an interesting pitcher, with a full starter’s mix -- a mid-90s fastball that naturally cuts and a two-seamer, along with a curveball, slider and developing changeup -- who could thrive in the bullpen or potentially fill both roles for the Royals based on need. He’s also gotten a lot stronger the last couple of years and looks much more physical on the mound.

He’ll be a big part of the Royals’ Triple-A depth this season. For now, he’s taking everything in this spring.

“I’m just learning a lot,” Avila said. “Making sure I’m walking around, listening, and having a really good time. … I’m going to continue to be me, continue to do my job and let the decision fall on the coaching staff. When they need me, I’ll be there.”

Eric Cerantola, RHP

• Age: 24

• Hometown: Quebec, QC, Canada

• Acquired: 2021 Draft (5th round) out of Mississippi State

• 2024 stats: 37 games (24 in Double-A, 13 in Triple-A), 2.97 ERA, 72 2/3 innings, 31.4% strikeout rate, 15.5% walk rate, 1.35 WHIP

It’s been quite a journey for Cerantola, who was a college Draft pick with a lot of risk because of his big stuff but wild command. The strides he’s made since are apparent, although the command still needs more work. 

Cerantola has a high-velocity arm with a sharp breaking ball, giving him a reliever projection especially with below-average command, but the Royals had him start at the lower levels simply for more reps. He made seven starts in Double-A last year, but he transitioned to the bullpen when he was in Triple-A and will pitch in relief again this season.

The Royals added him to the roster because he’s a potential power arm for them that they didn’t want to risk losing, despite knowing he needs a bit more time in Triple-A.

“Coming up with the Royals and them still having that belief in me to come in and be part of this team in the future, overall just thankful,” Cerantola said. “Hoping to get out there and compete and show what I’ve got. Last year really put in perspective that I just got to be where my feet are at. At the end of the day, you just go out there, you compete, you do your best, and hopefully it’ll come.”

The Royals are celebrating the 10-year and 40-year anniversaries of the 2015 and 1985 World Series titles in 2025, and they’re commemorating the celebration with a off-site fundraising event called the Champions Gala on May 15, with proceeds going to The Kansas City Royals Foundation.

Fans should expect special appearances from players on both teams, a seated dinner, commemorative programming and more.

More information and sponsorship prices can be found here.

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