Thanks David, very much ready for this thing to start. Spring stats are great and all but I’m ready for the put up or shut up time….so to speak with some of these guys. Keller, he’s got every reason in the world to be motivated to have a good year…it’s time to do it now when it matters. Bubic, now is the time man…quit walking so many and you’ll be fine. If Coleman can’t figure it out…send him down. I’m ready for a big league ball club and not so many gift roster spots. The bullpen depth has me excited for that reason alone. Unfortunately, in the rotation side you might see guys take the ball that probably shouldn’t just because they don’t have better options at the moment. But I’m excited to see a major league caliber bullpen unit that can demote guys based on performance now and not ride it out for 3 weeks. I’m not a believe in Reyes figuring it out…but totally worth a shot. Isbel, if you can’t hit…it’s backup OF spot for you..it’s time to show something. Bobby Witt, show you can play SS or move to 3B. I like that we will find out once and for all hopefully this year. Melendez…..trade the dude or make him the starting LF…figure this out Royals. Those are the things that have me excited. Spring stats are great…but its money time now!!
I'm ready to find out the answers to all the questions you mentioned. Let's see what these guys have now that they've got all the tools at their disposal. We'll see how it goes. I'll add, and I think you agree, that they should always be taking shots on guys like Reyes as long as they're not blocking anyone. I know people will say Reyes is blocking Pratto but there are worse things than him getting back to AAA.
Oh I agree, no issue with bringing in Reyes. I think the strikeouts will be too much to show his old form but completely worth a shot. I hate to admit it…but JBJ….ugh, it’s fine…and worth the defense I guess as long as used correctly which we have to assume he will be. If he is taking up time with Isbel or Waters when he gets back I’ll have an issue but I’ll trust the Royals right now to do the right thing. I’m actually not sold on Pratto being the real deal. Maybe that is just because Vinnie has become a good hitter so quickly. I’m not saying give up on him or anything…but need to see more from Pratto before saying anyone is blocking him.
Honestly, the JBJ thing is fine as long as they use him the right way. He can't play every day. He can't play over MJ. Otherwise, I'm cool with whatever. I still think Albert Almora would have been a better fit to pair with Isbel, but what's done is done.
One more sleep! Awesome job covering the spring and can't wait to chop up some actual games that matter in the standings. I love Massey, I believe in the bullpen, and I would take the over on Keller wins at 9.5. Putting my $10 on wins over 68.5, so I'm buying beers in October, or mid-September if my math is right!
I think I've said this before, but really liking how we see some depth to the roster. Great example is Waters' injury. While unfortunate, it did maybe give Isbel a bigger opportunity to show what he can do. Injuries are an unpredictable but constant part of the game. Having players to come off the bench (or get recalled from Omaha) who can at least not be weak links is huge.
Also easy to see how if things fall right there will possibly be some mid-season adjustments. In a Royals-perfect world , Isbel, Olivares, Reyes and Dozier will all perform well, opening up trades for the latter three. Isbel would move to left when Waters is back, and Pratto moves to 1st (Vinnie to DH) and Eaton/Garcia/someone at 3rd. Hey, we can dream, right?
I agree completely. I like how they've built the roster even if they're still too light in the rotation. I think the farm system is better than they're given credit for, but still wouldn't call it good, though I wonder if some guys make a leap this year to give them even more depth. That's another really interesting 2023 story organizationally.
David, great point about the farm system. I confess to not following it closely (I tend to pay attention to AA and AAA), but the last couple of years have been surprised at how quickly some players have gone from hitting my radar to showing up in the majors. Pasquantino, Massey, Eaton, Pratto, Garcia, Porter, Loftin, Gentry, Rave....all are either contributing or waiting to, and it seemed like they were moving through NWA not that long ago. Wondering if the organization is better than we think, and hoping the pitching starts to catch up! With the right coaching we could see Singer, Lynch, Kowar, Bubic, et al start to fulfill their potential, and then what?!!
I 100% believe in their hitting development now. I think they are very good at that and I think the industry will begin recognizing that in rankings sooner than later. The pitching needs to catch up, but I'm hopeful on that front. I think this team has the talent to be good, but there are still too many "ifs" for me to get too excited that they will be. It wouldn't be the shock of all shocks if they're hanging around all season, though.
David - I know you have to write about something and I genuinely appreciate all the analysis, I really do. But enough with this spring training stuff. Let's play some hardball!
Despite the voice in my head that is laughing derisively, FWIW (which is absolutely nothing) I find myself excited and optimistic about Reyes and Isbel and especially Massey. Thanks for all the inside scoop on those guys and the others as well.
So tomorrow the rubber finally meets the toe, when the boots are on the mound! I have a good feeling this will NOT be another year where the cookie crumbles.
Pasquantino is this generation's Jim Thome, Bubic gets to at least 9 wins (though a wild hair is telling me 12), Lynch gets traded at the deadline, Greinke has even more fun than he did last year, supercharging this team with his peculiar magic that we then cash in to win the Wild Card game in 2024... what happens after that, I have no clue. but I'll still be reading your write ups!
I thought with the absence of Dayton, maybe we get past “we need athletes “ in the outfield. I know Waters is an athlete, but we need offense from all 3 positions. We seem to continue to think a track meet is going to break out at the K, and we want to be ready
This kind of seems like an odd complaint given that left and right field both will be generally manned by Olivares and Melendez who are certainly not there for their defense.
If given a chance to play the same position on a regular basis, MJ can probably be a very adequate right fielder. He has the arm and the speed (see his catch today) question will be can he get the kinks out of that funky swing enough to hit more than .220. Olivares was looking good before getting hurt last year. Give them both at least 3 months and see what you have. Same with Isabel, just saying we have all too long overvalued some of our defense at the expense of scoring runs.
Thanks David, very much ready for this thing to start. Spring stats are great and all but I’m ready for the put up or shut up time….so to speak with some of these guys. Keller, he’s got every reason in the world to be motivated to have a good year…it’s time to do it now when it matters. Bubic, now is the time man…quit walking so many and you’ll be fine. If Coleman can’t figure it out…send him down. I’m ready for a big league ball club and not so many gift roster spots. The bullpen depth has me excited for that reason alone. Unfortunately, in the rotation side you might see guys take the ball that probably shouldn’t just because they don’t have better options at the moment. But I’m excited to see a major league caliber bullpen unit that can demote guys based on performance now and not ride it out for 3 weeks. I’m not a believe in Reyes figuring it out…but totally worth a shot. Isbel, if you can’t hit…it’s backup OF spot for you..it’s time to show something. Bobby Witt, show you can play SS or move to 3B. I like that we will find out once and for all hopefully this year. Melendez…..trade the dude or make him the starting LF…figure this out Royals. Those are the things that have me excited. Spring stats are great…but its money time now!!
I'm ready to find out the answers to all the questions you mentioned. Let's see what these guys have now that they've got all the tools at their disposal. We'll see how it goes. I'll add, and I think you agree, that they should always be taking shots on guys like Reyes as long as they're not blocking anyone. I know people will say Reyes is blocking Pratto but there are worse things than him getting back to AAA.
Oh I agree, no issue with bringing in Reyes. I think the strikeouts will be too much to show his old form but completely worth a shot. I hate to admit it…but JBJ….ugh, it’s fine…and worth the defense I guess as long as used correctly which we have to assume he will be. If he is taking up time with Isbel or Waters when he gets back I’ll have an issue but I’ll trust the Royals right now to do the right thing. I’m actually not sold on Pratto being the real deal. Maybe that is just because Vinnie has become a good hitter so quickly. I’m not saying give up on him or anything…but need to see more from Pratto before saying anyone is blocking him.
Honestly, the JBJ thing is fine as long as they use him the right way. He can't play every day. He can't play over MJ. Otherwise, I'm cool with whatever. I still think Albert Almora would have been a better fit to pair with Isbel, but what's done is done.
One more sleep! Awesome job covering the spring and can't wait to chop up some actual games that matter in the standings. I love Massey, I believe in the bullpen, and I would take the over on Keller wins at 9.5. Putting my $10 on wins over 68.5, so I'm buying beers in October, or mid-September if my math is right!
I think I went big with the same $10 haha.
I think I've said this before, but really liking how we see some depth to the roster. Great example is Waters' injury. While unfortunate, it did maybe give Isbel a bigger opportunity to show what he can do. Injuries are an unpredictable but constant part of the game. Having players to come off the bench (or get recalled from Omaha) who can at least not be weak links is huge.
Also easy to see how if things fall right there will possibly be some mid-season adjustments. In a Royals-perfect world , Isbel, Olivares, Reyes and Dozier will all perform well, opening up trades for the latter three. Isbel would move to left when Waters is back, and Pratto moves to 1st (Vinnie to DH) and Eaton/Garcia/someone at 3rd. Hey, we can dream, right?
I agree completely. I like how they've built the roster even if they're still too light in the rotation. I think the farm system is better than they're given credit for, but still wouldn't call it good, though I wonder if some guys make a leap this year to give them even more depth. That's another really interesting 2023 story organizationally.
David, great point about the farm system. I confess to not following it closely (I tend to pay attention to AA and AAA), but the last couple of years have been surprised at how quickly some players have gone from hitting my radar to showing up in the majors. Pasquantino, Massey, Eaton, Pratto, Garcia, Porter, Loftin, Gentry, Rave....all are either contributing or waiting to, and it seemed like they were moving through NWA not that long ago. Wondering if the organization is better than we think, and hoping the pitching starts to catch up! With the right coaching we could see Singer, Lynch, Kowar, Bubic, et al start to fulfill their potential, and then what?!!
I 100% believe in their hitting development now. I think they are very good at that and I think the industry will begin recognizing that in rankings sooner than later. The pitching needs to catch up, but I'm hopeful on that front. I think this team has the talent to be good, but there are still too many "ifs" for me to get too excited that they will be. It wouldn't be the shock of all shocks if they're hanging around all season, though.
Oh now David. Don't get my hopes up just to have them crushed. : )
Go Royals!
As if I would ever do such a thing.
David - I know you have to write about something and I genuinely appreciate all the analysis, I really do. But enough with this spring training stuff. Let's play some hardball!
Despite the voice in my head that is laughing derisively, FWIW (which is absolutely nothing) I find myself excited and optimistic about Reyes and Isbel and especially Massey. Thanks for all the inside scoop on those guys and the others as well.
I'm ready for something that actually matters for sure. I can't wait to way overanalyze one game on Friday morning.
So tomorrow the rubber finally meets the toe, when the boots are on the mound! I have a good feeling this will NOT be another year where the cookie crumbles.
Pasquantino is this generation's Jim Thome, Bubic gets to at least 9 wins (though a wild hair is telling me 12), Lynch gets traded at the deadline, Greinke has even more fun than he did last year, supercharging this team with his peculiar magic that we then cash in to win the Wild Card game in 2024... what happens after that, I have no clue. but I'll still be reading your write ups!
You heard it here first!
I thought with the absence of Dayton, maybe we get past “we need athletes “ in the outfield. I know Waters is an athlete, but we need offense from all 3 positions. We seem to continue to think a track meet is going to break out at the K, and we want to be ready
This kind of seems like an odd complaint given that left and right field both will be generally manned by Olivares and Melendez who are certainly not there for their defense.
The Cactus League Royals Are The Greatest Dynasty EVER
If given a chance to play the same position on a regular basis, MJ can probably be a very adequate right fielder. He has the arm and the speed (see his catch today) question will be can he get the kinks out of that funky swing enough to hit more than .220. Olivares was looking good before getting hurt last year. Give them both at least 3 months and see what you have. Same with Isabel, just saying we have all too long overvalued some of our defense at the expense of scoring runs.
Game 2, line-up 2, same results. Good thing we are, once again, willing to suffer a lack of offense for athletes to play defense