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!
Oh I'm not comparing Witt to Mahomes in terms of ability, but in terms of how he attacks the work, I think there are a lot of similarities.
And last year, they actually did pitch much better early in the year with a 4.34 ERA compared to 4.64 for the season, so maybe it's a sign of things to come. Of course, they also could get some pretty decent weather to start the year. Home for seven, but then San Francisco and Texas for six. Then home for six followed by heading to LA and Arizona for six. They do get four in Minnesota to end the month, but it might be late enough that it's not too chilly even in Minnesota.
Totally agree here and hope that we don’t have an out of nowhere story that ends up fizzling in April and ends up jacking with their development. Isbel was a prime example of a guy they should’ve taken it slow with and they over valued his Spring and he’s been see sawed the past two years as a result.
As much as I love Garcia, I think more time in AAA wouldn’t be a bad thing. Same goes for a guy like Gentry. Hope the new “tempered” expectations leads to less “gut” decisions which hamstrung the club the past two years
Yeah, I think they need to be careful with some guys. I actually kind of appreciated the way they handled Isbel. He was putting up very professional at bats and looked great in the spring. He got to the big leagues, struggled and they didn't waste too much time and sent him back down, got him on track and he had a very nice September. I really don't fully know what happened with him (I might look at that) in 2022, but I think there's a level offensively that makes him a solid regular given his defense. But still, the point remains that spring can be a big illusion.
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.
He very well may, but I question if the organization believes he has the right mindset to start. I've heard from quite a few people that he just fits better mentally in the bullpen.
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
I agree on the optimism, though 3 or 4 is a lot! I hope you're right about that. I think Lynch, Kowar, Heasley and Bubic are the likeliest beneficiaries of the new voices, though.
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.
Yeah, I think that Massey is going to have to make more contact, but if he does, I see him as a legitimate big league starting second baseman. I think the arm issues are mitigated by him not having to play short right field with the new rules and I've seen better range from him in the minors than what he showed at the big league level. I'm interested to see what he can do with the experience of the last couple of months plus spring.
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!
Maybe. I wrote about this a lot last year, but prospects are better out of the gate than ever before and I don't think it was fully unfair to expect Witt to continue that given his prospect pedigree. I think it's important to remember that not all prospects are superstars from day one, though, so there's still plenty of time.
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.
I don’t get the feeling at all that he’s been given up on and certainly not at first base. I think he’s in a spot where he needs to prove himself though. And Vinnie in the WBC probably gives him additional ABs which is great for him.
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!
Oh I'm not comparing Witt to Mahomes in terms of ability, but in terms of how he attacks the work, I think there are a lot of similarities.
And last year, they actually did pitch much better early in the year with a 4.34 ERA compared to 4.64 for the season, so maybe it's a sign of things to come. Of course, they also could get some pretty decent weather to start the year. Home for seven, but then San Francisco and Texas for six. Then home for six followed by heading to LA and Arizona for six. They do get four in Minnesota to end the month, but it might be late enough that it's not too chilly even in Minnesota.
Totally agree here and hope that we don’t have an out of nowhere story that ends up fizzling in April and ends up jacking with their development. Isbel was a prime example of a guy they should’ve taken it slow with and they over valued his Spring and he’s been see sawed the past two years as a result.
As much as I love Garcia, I think more time in AAA wouldn’t be a bad thing. Same goes for a guy like Gentry. Hope the new “tempered” expectations leads to less “gut” decisions which hamstrung the club the past two years
Yeah, I think they need to be careful with some guys. I actually kind of appreciated the way they handled Isbel. He was putting up very professional at bats and looked great in the spring. He got to the big leagues, struggled and they didn't waste too much time and sent him back down, got him on track and he had a very nice September. I really don't fully know what happened with him (I might look at that) in 2022, but I think there's a level offensively that makes him a solid regular given his defense. But still, the point remains that spring can be a big illusion.
Good article! I agree with you in every comment. Write on.
Where do you see Franmil Reyes on opening day?
Wrote about that on Friday. My guess is he makes the team and is the DH most days.
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
He very well may, but I question if the organization believes he has the right mindset to start. I've heard from quite a few people that he just fits better mentally in the bullpen.
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
I agree on the optimism, though 3 or 4 is a lot! I hope you're right about that. I think Lynch, Kowar, Heasley and Bubic are the likeliest beneficiaries of the new voices, though.
I should clarify I’m including bullpen guys so two starters and two bullpen guys break out
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.
Yeah, I think that Massey is going to have to make more contact, but if he does, I see him as a legitimate big league starting second baseman. I think the arm issues are mitigated by him not having to play short right field with the new rules and I've seen better range from him in the minors than what he showed at the big league level. I'm interested to see what he can do with the experience of the last couple of months plus spring.
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!
Maybe. I wrote about this a lot last year, but prospects are better out of the gate than ever before and I don't think it was fully unfair to expect Witt to continue that given his prospect pedigree. I think it's important to remember that not all prospects are superstars from day one, though, so there's still plenty of time.
Is it just me or does Witt look to have gained a little more muscle?
very possible I have on spring colored glasses, but maybe his drive is propelling him to be in better shape for season long durability
I did notice that. Keller looks good too.
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.
I don’t get the feeling at all that he’s been given up on and certainly not at first base. I think he’s in a spot where he needs to prove himself though. And Vinnie in the WBC probably gives him additional ABs which is great for him.