On Tuesday, the Kansas City Royals will face the Cuban national team at Surprise Stadium in Arizona as part of their Spring Training schedule, preparing both squads ahead of international competition. The Royals announced that 25-year-old right-handed pitcher Ryan Bergert will take the mound as their starter for this matchup against Cuba.
Bergert’s Major League Experience in His Rookie Season
Ryan Bergert made his MLB debut in 2025 with both the San Diego Padres and the Kansas City Royals. Throughout that season, he appeared in 19 games, starting 15 of them, and posted a 2-2 win-loss record. Over 76.1 innings pitched, Bergert maintained a 3.66 earned run average (ERA), allowing 31 earned runs. He struck out 73 batters while holding opponents to a .215 batting average against him, demonstrating effective control and competitiveness at the major league level.
Among his pitching highlights, Bergert threw 53 pitches that reached speeds of 95 mph or higher, with his fastest pitch clocked at 97 mph.
Pitching Arsenal and Performance Metrics
According to Baseball Savant data referenced by Pelota Cubana, Bergert’s pitch selection is diverse and strategically deployed. His primary pitch is a fastball, which constitutes 43% of his throws and averages 93.4 mph. He complements this with a slider thrown 25% of the time at an average velocity of 87.4 mph, and a sweeper which accounts for 18% of his pitches, averaging 82.6 mph. Additionally, Bergert uses a changeup at 8% frequency with an average of 87.6 mph and a sinker at 7% with an average speed of 92.5 mph. He rarely employs a curveball, which makes up just 1% of his pitching mix.
This matchup presents a significant challenge for the Cuban offense, as Bergert’s recent MLB experience and broad pitch repertoire test their batting skills ahead of the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Context of the Spring Training Game and Cuba’s Preparations
The game against the Kansas City Royals is a critical part of Cuba’s preparation for the VI World Baseball Classic, helping them sharpen skills and assess competition. The Cuban roster, already present in the United States, has faced multiple challenges, including injuries and visa issues impacting team members. Despite these obstacles, Cuban players continue to train rigorously, as their series of friendly matches—including contests against Nicaragua—serve as valuable tune-ups before the Classic begins.
Implications for the Season and International Competition
Ryan Bergert’s role as the spring starter highlights the Royals’ confidence in his growth and reliability following his rookie campaign. Facing an international lineup like Cuba’s provides Bergert an opportunity to demonstrate his pitching strengths under different competitive circumstances. For Cuba, confronting a pitcher with recent major league experience such as Bergert will test their lineup’s readiness and may influence adjustments ahead of the World Baseball Classic.
This encounter not only offers valuable exposure for players on each side but also shapes early narratives for both the MLB season and international baseball tournaments in 2026.
