Another public service announcement about Springs stats will be needed many times throughout this spring! You want success more than failure at all times but spring stats DO NOT translate to April ball. My hope every year is that the pitching starts hot with the colder weather as they should have an advantage over hitting at that point. Never seems to happen with the Royals though. Lol.
I hesitate on any comparisons with Witt Jr to Patrick Mahomes. There have been a lot of “next” Michael Jordan’s than never became MJ. There will be a lot of “next” Mahomes that never live up to the billing. Baseball is such an individual sport that even if Witt Jr becomes the next star that doesn’t mean the Royals will be any good. Ohtani does it all……Angels can’t win with him AND Trout on the same team. Lol. I know you were just saying work ethic wise…. Totally get it and hope that is the case!
One thing that still intrigues me is Carlos Hernandez had the best Stuff+ (111 in 2021) of any of the staff but regressed to 100 under the previous staff. 100 is average. He may one of the bounce back candidates under the new coaches.
I am very optimistic about this season. With all these young pitchers, the odds of 3 or 4 having a breakout season with new coaches is a pretty good. I don’t think they all will fail. No way. I bet Lynch is one that improves. I share your enthusiasm for Kowar. He tore up the minors before is first call up. It’s in him, he just needs a new voice
You are the first that I've seen to bring up Garcia potentially at 2B, although you don't see it as very likely. He has played some 2B in the minors and the thing with Massey is that he has to hit, as he is somewhat arm and range limited at 2B. He also lacks elite speed. I like his swing, but with his walk rates and lack of elite speed/defense/power..
I doubt Garcia starts the season at 2B or 3B. I agree it's Dozier at 3B with Nicky coming in as a defensive replacement, and Massey getting his shot. Franimal is the DH and Oliveras may again be on the outside looking in.
I think we fans may have expected the sun and the moon out of Bobby Witt Jr. He's just a kid starting out and I'm more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. His willingness to learn and improve impress me more than anything!
Where do you think the org stands on Pratto entering the spring? It feels like a lot of fans and writers are already bailing on him, which seems premature to me. He's got obvious flaws, but a lot of potential still to be tapped. Ideally I'd like to see him force their hand at 1B and let Vinnie DH. But with the Royals' "interesting" approach to roster construction, it feels like they're going to try and shoehorn him into the OF, or even worse, marginalize him altogether.
Another public service announcement about Springs stats will be needed many times throughout this spring! You want success more than failure at all times but spring stats DO NOT translate to April ball. My hope every year is that the pitching starts hot with the colder weather as they should have an advantage over hitting at that point. Never seems to happen with the Royals though. Lol.
I hesitate on any comparisons with Witt Jr to Patrick Mahomes. There have been a lot of “next” Michael Jordan’s than never became MJ. There will be a lot of “next” Mahomes that never live up to the billing. Baseball is such an individual sport that even if Witt Jr becomes the next star that doesn’t mean the Royals will be any good. Ohtani does it all……Angels can’t win with him AND Trout on the same team. Lol. I know you were just saying work ethic wise…. Totally get it and hope that is the case!
Good article! I agree with you in every comment. Write on.
Where do you see Franmil Reyes on opening day?
One thing that still intrigues me is Carlos Hernandez had the best Stuff+ (111 in 2021) of any of the staff but regressed to 100 under the previous staff. 100 is average. He may one of the bounce back candidates under the new coaches.
https://twitter.com/enosarris/status/1605245524608552960
I am very optimistic about this season. With all these young pitchers, the odds of 3 or 4 having a breakout season with new coaches is a pretty good. I don’t think they all will fail. No way. I bet Lynch is one that improves. I share your enthusiasm for Kowar. He tore up the minors before is first call up. It’s in him, he just needs a new voice
You are the first that I've seen to bring up Garcia potentially at 2B, although you don't see it as very likely. He has played some 2B in the minors and the thing with Massey is that he has to hit, as he is somewhat arm and range limited at 2B. He also lacks elite speed. I like his swing, but with his walk rates and lack of elite speed/defense/power..
I doubt Garcia starts the season at 2B or 3B. I agree it's Dozier at 3B with Nicky coming in as a defensive replacement, and Massey getting his shot. Franimal is the DH and Oliveras may again be on the outside looking in.
I think we fans may have expected the sun and the moon out of Bobby Witt Jr. He's just a kid starting out and I'm more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. His willingness to learn and improve impress me more than anything!
Where do you think the org stands on Pratto entering the spring? It feels like a lot of fans and writers are already bailing on him, which seems premature to me. He's got obvious flaws, but a lot of potential still to be tapped. Ideally I'd like to see him force their hand at 1B and let Vinnie DH. But with the Royals' "interesting" approach to roster construction, it feels like they're going to try and shoehorn him into the OF, or even worse, marginalize him altogether.