Picollo explains the reasoning behind the team's decision to bring in the outfield walls at Kauffman Stadium for the 2026 season.
For years, Kansas City Royals fans have watched well-struck balls die on the warning track at Kauffman Stadium, and it looks like the front office has finally had enough.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the team is bringing in the outfield fences by as much as 10 feet ahead of the 2026 season, a move that could completely change how this offense operates at home.
Picollo's Vision for a Neutral Ballpark
The power alleys will shrink from 389 feet to 379 feet while center field stays put at 410, and the wall height drops from 10 feet to 8½ across most of the outfield.
It's a significant shift for a park that has killed fly balls for two decades.
"We want a neutral ballpark where if you hit a ball well, it should be a home run," Picollo told ESPN. "The second they start feeling like they can't get the ball out of the ballpark, they start changing their swing. I watched it for years and years and years, and I just felt like this is the time to try to push it and see if everything we felt for however many years is accurate."
That last part is key. Picollo isn't just guessing.
He's seen his hitters alter their approaches at home, only to press too hard when they hit the road and play in more forgiving parks. If these changes create consistency, the psychological boost alone could be worth it.
A Lineup Built to Take Advantage
The timing could be perfect for the Royals, especially without a marquee free agent acquisition.
Bobby Witt Jr. is already one of baseball's brightest stars after batting .295 with 23 home runs and a league-leading 184 hits in 2025, but imagine what he could do with 10 fewer feet to clear.
Vinnie Pasquantino paced the club with 32 home runs and 113 RBI last season, and a shorter porch could push him toward elite territory.
Then there's Salvador Perez, who belted 30 home runs and drove in 100 runs while sitting at 305 for his career.
With a friendlier home park, Salvy's Hall of Fame case gets a little stronger every time one of those warning-track outs turns into a souvenir.
The Risk Worth Taking
Sure, opposing hitters will benefit too, and a pitching staff that kept Kansas City competitive during their 82-80 season might not love the change.
But the Royals believe their analytics show a net gain of about 1½ wins per year at home, and with the team's lease expiring in 2030, this feels like a calculated bet on their young core.