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Kansas City Royals rookie Beck Way showcased one of the game balls in his locker after Friday\u2019s 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins.<\/p>\n
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The baseball held special meaning to the 26-year-old pitcher. It was from one of Way\u2019s two strikeouts during his major-league debut with the Royals at Target Field.<\/p>\n
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In the eighth inning of Friday\u2019s game in Minneapolis, Way received the call from the bullpen. He took the field with poise in facing big-league veterans Josh Bell, Orlando Arcia, Luke Keaschall and Austin Martin.<\/p>\n
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Way got Bell swinging for his first career strikeout. Arcia singled and then Way recorded the final two outs.<\/p>\n
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The 6-foot-4 right-hander had thrown a scoreless debut inning.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI just felt really calm and just felt like I had a job to do,\u201d Way said afterward. \u201cAnd just stay focused.\u201d The Royals acquired Way from the New York Yankees in 2022. He arrived alongside two other prospects in exchange for Andrew Benintendi.<\/p>\n
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Way matriculated through Kansas City\u2019s minor-league system. He had a 4.50 ERA in 19 games with Triple-A Omaha this season. He struck out 42 batters against just 10 walks in 30 relief innings.<\/p>\n
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On Friday, Way utilized four pitches: cutter, sinker, four-seam fastball and sweeper. His cut fastball averaged 91.7 mph and generated four whiffs, per Baseball Savant.<\/p>\n
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\u201cHe kept his composure and threw a lot of strikes,\u201d Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. \u201cUsed all of his pitches and he struck out two and got a weak fly ball. So there wasn\u2019t much to not like about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Way mentioned that he received a ton of messages after his Royals debut. He heard from family who cheered him on during his relief appearance.<\/p>\n
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\u201cMy phone was going off and I had to put it down,\u201d he said. \u201cBut yeah, I heard from them. It was good to hear from them and they are all proud. They are all telling stories, like when I was a kid and stuff. It\u2019s just cool to see me still playing baseball.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Royals will likely continue to use Way in relief with Nick Mears and Carlos Est\u00e9vez out injured. Their absence has created opportunities for young pitchers like Way to step up.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI just tried to stay mentally focused and stay prepared for the moment I do get in a game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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Way is the latest Royals reliever to make his MLB debut this season. He joined Eric Cerantola as rookies to pitch for KC in 2026.<\/p>\n
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