Haha. He’s probably got the best stuff of the potential bullpen guys, but I do think this new coaching regime has limited patience for guys who can’t throw strikes. Enjoyed the post.
So I’m trying to figure out if the Cross injury thing is kinda like the Pratto injury thing. Is it s real thing or just some cover for a younger guy with pressure on him. Nobody knows for sure, but we’ll find out for sure this year. Need a big bounce back from him. Hopefully we see.
Yeah, I don't know either, but Rocky Mountain Fever is no joke. It wouldn't surprise me at all if it destroyed his season. But definitely, the bounceback is needed.
Am I the only one who was extremely disappointed that the news of Cross' illness was not made public? Seems like something that people serve to know about. Cross is a guy who could move quickly if he performs to his college ceiling. I could see him in CF or RF by end of year.
I'd say this is one of the pitfalls of not having adequate coverage among credentialed media. Anne does a really nice job on mlb.com, but The Athletic pulling Royals coverage was and still is extremely disappointing. I'd love to have the time to spend time around the minors and the team, but this isn't my full-time job unfortunately. You would think the Royals would have wanted that information out there given how disappointing his season was, but it also falls a little on the fact that there just aren't enough people asking questions.
Right there with you on debuts - I was excited for Tolbert's ST debut (i think) last year - don't know if he has the numbers, but that kids got spunk!
So I know rule 5 rule for this year, but could they stash Sauer in the pen this year and let him workout as a starter in AAA next year?
Off topic but you hinted at Pratto the other day and then there was the Anne Rogers up for grabs article referencing him. I had finally moved on, but with his spring performance and the staffs emphasis on competition, I almost think they have to let him or Loftin in over Blanco. Are you hearing anything new?
I had been ok with the frazier and hampson signings, but now i wonder about a very minor lower back tightness before next week....
Sauer could absolutely get back to AAA next season after spending the year in the big leagues. I may just be totally making this up, but I can't think of too many Rule 5 guys who were successful after spending a year in the big leagues and then going back to the minors. I think Sauer would be one who theoretically could given that he's already pretty advanced as someone who has reached AA already. I'd guess that if he makes it through the whole season, he'll be part of the team next year too.
On the Pratto front, you'll see tomorrow, but I don't see how he doesn't make the roster at this point and Nelson Velazquez has shown so little that he seems destined for some time in Omaha. The only thing with Blanco is if they're willing to roll with Hampson as a backup center fielder or if they want someone like Blanco who can change a game in the late innings. That's the biggest question there, but Blanco in AAA is pretty much the only way I can figure Loftin to get on the big league roster even though he's 100% earned it.
David, why isn’t our Farm System better?? We have had some opportunities but have selected the wrong people-other organizations have gotten it right, and we have failed!! Who is to blame for that??
I hope this doesn't come off as snarky, but the answer hasn't really changed since November. This is what I answered you with then:
Two things - poor development with the systems being overhauled in recent years and graduations. The latter doesn't excuse the former, but while the system doesn't look great in terms of rankings, they do have quite a bit of young talent on the big league roster that is under team control mostly though 2028 and beyond. They were largely considered a top-5 system prior to 2022, graduated that talent off lists and then hasn't had the next wave to follow it up.
To add:
They have made quite a few changes in their development system over the last year or so including hiring a brand new scouting director and implementing changes starting at the top with Sweeney and Bove coming in last season at the big league level. Many of the metrics indicated big improvement in the minor league pitching last season. None of it matters until they start producing big league caliber players, but you have to start somewhere.
I can't wait to see Will Klein in the bigs, but if it means that he can work on control while the big-league vets they signed hold down the fort, more power to them.
David - you are too young to remember this, but when Fred White was doing the radio coverage with Denny, Fred did the pre-game show, with the exception of the segment with the manager. Every single player, without exception, who came up for their first taste of the bigs, was interviewed by Fred. He had a great ability to pull stories out of every player, whether they were coming up as a future star, or a September perhaps getting their only taste. It was fun to hear their journeys, and at the end of the interview some local jewelry story gave them a watch.
Oh I remember that well. Or at least know about the older ones. Phil Hiatt is one that I somehow remember really well. Why Hiatt? No clue but I assume it’s because Fred said something great in it.
What about Will Klein? I would think he’s on the short list for bullpen reinforcements.
Dammit. I knew I'd miss someone.
Haha. He’s probably got the best stuff of the potential bullpen guys, but I do think this new coaching regime has limited patience for guys who can’t throw strikes. Enjoyed the post.
Him or McMillon for sure. They definitely have some high-octane potential. Just need to see it in action.
So I’m trying to figure out if the Cross injury thing is kinda like the Pratto injury thing. Is it s real thing or just some cover for a younger guy with pressure on him. Nobody knows for sure, but we’ll find out for sure this year. Need a big bounce back from him. Hopefully we see.
Yeah, I don't know either, but Rocky Mountain Fever is no joke. It wouldn't surprise me at all if it destroyed his season. But definitely, the bounceback is needed.
Am I the only one who was extremely disappointed that the news of Cross' illness was not made public? Seems like something that people serve to know about. Cross is a guy who could move quickly if he performs to his college ceiling. I could see him in CF or RF by end of year.
I'd say this is one of the pitfalls of not having adequate coverage among credentialed media. Anne does a really nice job on mlb.com, but The Athletic pulling Royals coverage was and still is extremely disappointing. I'd love to have the time to spend time around the minors and the team, but this isn't my full-time job unfortunately. You would think the Royals would have wanted that information out there given how disappointing his season was, but it also falls a little on the fact that there just aren't enough people asking questions.
Good list—I forgot we had some of these guys!
Me too actually haha.
Right there with you on debuts - I was excited for Tolbert's ST debut (i think) last year - don't know if he has the numbers, but that kids got spunk!
So I know rule 5 rule for this year, but could they stash Sauer in the pen this year and let him workout as a starter in AAA next year?
Off topic but you hinted at Pratto the other day and then there was the Anne Rogers up for grabs article referencing him. I had finally moved on, but with his spring performance and the staffs emphasis on competition, I almost think they have to let him or Loftin in over Blanco. Are you hearing anything new?
I had been ok with the frazier and hampson signings, but now i wonder about a very minor lower back tightness before next week....
Sauer could absolutely get back to AAA next season after spending the year in the big leagues. I may just be totally making this up, but I can't think of too many Rule 5 guys who were successful after spending a year in the big leagues and then going back to the minors. I think Sauer would be one who theoretically could given that he's already pretty advanced as someone who has reached AA already. I'd guess that if he makes it through the whole season, he'll be part of the team next year too.
On the Pratto front, you'll see tomorrow, but I don't see how he doesn't make the roster at this point and Nelson Velazquez has shown so little that he seems destined for some time in Omaha. The only thing with Blanco is if they're willing to roll with Hampson as a backup center fielder or if they want someone like Blanco who can change a game in the late innings. That's the biggest question there, but Blanco in AAA is pretty much the only way I can figure Loftin to get on the big league roster even though he's 100% earned it.
David, why isn’t our Farm System better?? We have had some opportunities but have selected the wrong people-other organizations have gotten it right, and we have failed!! Who is to blame for that??
I hope this doesn't come off as snarky, but the answer hasn't really changed since November. This is what I answered you with then:
Two things - poor development with the systems being overhauled in recent years and graduations. The latter doesn't excuse the former, but while the system doesn't look great in terms of rankings, they do have quite a bit of young talent on the big league roster that is under team control mostly though 2028 and beyond. They were largely considered a top-5 system prior to 2022, graduated that talent off lists and then hasn't had the next wave to follow it up.
To add:
They have made quite a few changes in their development system over the last year or so including hiring a brand new scouting director and implementing changes starting at the top with Sweeney and Bove coming in last season at the big league level. Many of the metrics indicated big improvement in the minor league pitching last season. None of it matters until they start producing big league caliber players, but you have to start somewhere.
I can't wait to see Will Klein in the bigs, but if it means that he can work on control while the big-league vets they signed hold down the fort, more power to them.
David - you are too young to remember this, but when Fred White was doing the radio coverage with Denny, Fred did the pre-game show, with the exception of the segment with the manager. Every single player, without exception, who came up for their first taste of the bigs, was interviewed by Fred. He had a great ability to pull stories out of every player, whether they were coming up as a future star, or a September perhaps getting their only taste. It was fun to hear their journeys, and at the end of the interview some local jewelry story gave them a watch.
Oh I remember that well. Or at least know about the older ones. Phil Hiatt is one that I somehow remember really well. Why Hiatt? No clue but I assume it’s because Fred said something great in it.