Kansas City Royals infield coach is helping develop players with a special approach

Kansas City Royals infield coach José Alguacil shuffled over to a bucket of baseballs sitting in front of the Royals dugout. With his signature fungo bat in one hand, Alguacil reached in to grab a few.

Then he stopped in his tracks. The Royals were set for infield defense, but Alguacil knew he needed something extra.

So he grabbed the entire bucket and headed to the field. On a hot summer day, Alguacil was all smiles as he reached home plate.

It was time to work.

“He loves working, being outside and getting his guys better,” Royals infielder Matt Duffy said. “He cares about his players. That is the most important thing for a coach.”

Alguacil has played an instrumental role in improving the Royals’ infield defense. Since joining the new KC manager Matt Quatraro’s staff this past offseason, Alguacil has brought a new approach to teaching the organization’s infielders.

It all starts with one key principle: Be ready.

“That’s the mentality I want to have with these guys,” Alguacil said. “You have to be ready. The one time you are not ready, it can cost you the game.”

A well-executed plan

Alguacil has utilized different metrics to help his infielders. Players participate in pre-game drills with (cleat) spikes to generate better footwork. The idea is to simulate game situations and create more explosive steps.

Every infielder also has an individualized plan. Alguacil outlines specific drills based on different aspects of a player’s training.

The drills might include live or short fungo, funneling, throwing, back-hand glove-work and range exercises.

This season, the Royals have focused on footwork technique and perfecting angles. Alguacil likens his approach to a GPS (global positioning system) — one tailored toward receiving the baseball.

“It’s like knowing your route,” Alguacil said. “If you don’t know your route and you have to drive, what’s the first thing you are going to do? You are going to go on Maps or Google Maps. That’s the angles in the infield.”

The Royals have seen improvement from their infielders. Standout Bobby Witt Jr. is making strides at shortstop. Alguacil helped Witt manage the speed of the major-league game.

“Before, he rushed through everything,” Alguacil said. “Now, he knows what he needs to do. ... It comes with maturity. He is in his second season in the big leagues. He is more confident in his fielding.”

Meanwhile, infielders Maikel Garcia and Michael Massey have found a consistent rhythm at third base and second base, respectively.

Massey built confidence throughout the season. He has worked diligently on his back hand, and that work has paid offl. Massey has made brilliant plays from his position and created a strong double-play tandem alongside Witt.

“We’ve seen (Massey) improve in a lot of ways,” Quatraro said. “His reads and reactions have gotten better. His first-step quickness has improved and he has gotten much better going to his right. All things he has focused on throughout the year and he has put in a ton working at it.”

Honing the infield craft

Alguacil built his techniques following a successful baseball career. He spent multiple years in the San Francisco Giants organization as an infield instructor, minor-league manager and first base coach.

Over the years, Alguacil has helped multiple infielders develop their craft. He said the Royals currently have talented players who can become high-impact defenders.

So how do they reach that level? Alguacil said it starts with constant movement and positioning. He teaches players to know three things about each at-bat.

The first step is understanding the opposing batter’s tendencies.

This includes knowing where he likes to hit the baseball. There are key signals — he’s a contact, power, or pull hitter. The type of pitch thrown also factors in.

Alguacil said these things help infielders determine where they should line up.

“I tell the guys, they choose whatever movement, but they have to be ready upon contact,” Alguacil said.

The second step is moving toward the baseball in play. This is where the defensive drills come into focus. The Royals work constantly on funneling the baseball into their glove. The short fungo helps simulate the different ways in which a baseball might bounce.

Alguacil maintains that the routine play must be made regardless of the direction.

“One thing I preach a lot is that outs have to become outs,” Alguacil said. “... We are going to focus on routine outs. We work hard on those and I think we are on a good road with that this year.”

The final step is the transfer through the target. Alguacil says players must utilize technique to replace their feet. He teaches it right to left on the transfer.

Then, it’s left to the desired target (or base) when throwing the ball.

“It’s good to have someone who can keep an eye on the fundamentals of defense,” infielder Matt Beaty said.

A steady improvement

The Royals have produced some solid fielding numbers this season.

Massey has a .995 fielding percentage. Witt, who has increased his fielding proficiency after a difficult 2022 campaign, has 10 errors this season, down from 19 a year ago.

“If you create the right angles and tag points to the ball, it helps you out,” Witt said.

The Royals are looking to finish out the 2023 season on a high note. An influx of young talent has arrived from the minors, and guys like Samad Taylor and Nick Loftin have grown since they began working with Alguacil.

Other players are learning with additional reps. Garcia, a natural shortstop, made the transition to third base this season. Alguacil likes the upward progression Garcia has shown.

“He has been really good,” Alguacil said. “We are still working with some stuff to try to get him in a position where he can cover more ground.”

The Royals believe they are building a nice foundation for the not-so-distant future. Alguacil is excited for the next step and is already working on some offseason plans ahead of next season.

“It’s beautiful,” Alguacil said of the improvements he sees. “We are full of youth in the infield and it shows. I get a lot of compliments from other teams and coaches. It’s not me, it’s the players.”