I agree with your assessment that THIS is more what I expected this year. Yes, I expected a few more wins at this point….but as far as offense (avg to good), defense (poor), starting pitching (bad), and bullpen (good)….I’m glad to see its kinda leveled out. Maybe it’s the competition…cause my gawd the White Sox are a mess. They’ve got some good pieces and then you watch them wondering what they are doing. But the fact that anyone is maybe more of a mess than the Royals is a great feeling.
One thing I’m starting to question is injury with Singer. Something is amiss. You’ve pointed out mechanics…but when you are down almost 2 full mph from last year….just something seems to be off. The results were good but he didn’t look particularly good from the eye test. But that’s baseball.
I actually am not that worried about the velocity yesterday. At least not as worried as I would have been if it wasn't wet. But yeah, it's a concern. I do wonder some if releasing the ball closer to the plate will reduce velocity some since it has less time to get up to speed.
Could be. I just know he’s a different pitcher at 91 than he is at 93. Maybe the changup comes into play more. He never had plus plus stuff anyway and with the reduced velocity it just becomes normal stuff to me. But who knows, hopefully they get it figured out.
After Singer's improvement last year we probably shouldn't be surprised at a little bit of a regression. But like you I'm concerned about the magnitude of it and the reasons behind it.
Part of it is the fact that most MLB hitters have seen him by now, and most AL hitters have seen him multiple times. They've adjusted, and now the question is can he successfully counter-adjust. That dance has been going on in baseball since long before any of us were born.
The entire AL Central now has an OPS under .700. The Royals fell to .698 yesterday. The entire AL Central now has an OPS+ under 93. The Royals fell to 92.
Offense in this division has been, well, offensive. That's why with the Royals' recent surge, I'm almost ready to declare them (and it's really not even close right now) the best offense in this division--right now.
I'm ready to see some new arms be tried out in the rotation with all the rotation health issues. Itching to see Marsh and Veneziano get the promotion to AAA. Carlos has looked good in the bullpen this year. Is there a non-zero chance they'd give him another shot at starting? (probably not)
I would love to see Marsh and Veneziano bumped up and then a couple guys pulled up to backfill there.
As for Hernandez, never say never, but I would say that it's not about the ability as much as it is about the mental makeup. I don't think they believe he's best served mentally pitching every fifth day with four days off in between.
What do you mean by this phrase? The speed of a pitch deceases after it's released from the hand. Releasing the ball closer to the plate should increase velocity based on the extra leverage and shortened distance to the location between the mound and the plate where pitch speed is measured.
thank you for giving some reasoning to something other than my eye test for distrusting Keller and Singer's recent performances. (And for some reason I look away less when Brady is at the plate v/s Brad). I have to wonder just how bad the sox are.
Super fun win though-I have always liked the bunt (for hits not sacrifice), and I am starting to appreciate the gladiator helmet much more.
I honestly don't even know where we are/ who is in the rotation these days. Assuming Taylor is an opener? (last three games 1 ip and 15 era-oof) But who comes in next tonight? Do they throw the majority of the bullpen minus Chapman at it and bring the Omaha bus in tomorrow? Don't hear many posts complaining about Yarbs and Lyles these days - we need warm bodies with eras under 10 at this point (sadly including relievers)
Taylor is an opener. I assume it'll be Max Castillo giving bulk innings in this one. Also, I still despise the second year for Lyles, if you needed to hear anyone complain about him still.
I haven't really heard anything specific on McArthur in particular other than that they really like his curve. But that's sort of the dream to be able to take another team's discards and turn them into useful pieces, so I imagine they're going to take plenty of shots to try that.
I agree with your assessment that THIS is more what I expected this year. Yes, I expected a few more wins at this point….but as far as offense (avg to good), defense (poor), starting pitching (bad), and bullpen (good)….I’m glad to see its kinda leveled out. Maybe it’s the competition…cause my gawd the White Sox are a mess. They’ve got some good pieces and then you watch them wondering what they are doing. But the fact that anyone is maybe more of a mess than the Royals is a great feeling.
One thing I’m starting to question is injury with Singer. Something is amiss. You’ve pointed out mechanics…but when you are down almost 2 full mph from last year….just something seems to be off. The results were good but he didn’t look particularly good from the eye test. But that’s baseball.
I think that some sort of injury is beginning to appear more and more likely, especially because of the velocity thing.
It might, but I wouldn't say it's a sure thing or more likely or anything. It's a piece of the equation.
I actually am not that worried about the velocity yesterday. At least not as worried as I would have been if it wasn't wet. But yeah, it's a concern. I do wonder some if releasing the ball closer to the plate will reduce velocity some since it has less time to get up to speed.
Could be. I just know he’s a different pitcher at 91 than he is at 93. Maybe the changup comes into play more. He never had plus plus stuff anyway and with the reduced velocity it just becomes normal stuff to me. But who knows, hopefully they get it figured out.
Oh absolutely. And sometimes just a good result can be enough to get something started, so we'll see.
I also was a little nervous about injury after last night, hoping its the weather and as Lesky pointed out the change in release
After Singer's improvement last year we probably shouldn't be surprised at a little bit of a regression. But like you I'm concerned about the magnitude of it and the reasons behind it.
Part of it is the fact that most MLB hitters have seen him by now, and most AL hitters have seen him multiple times. They've adjusted, and now the question is can he successfully counter-adjust. That dance has been going on in baseball since long before any of us were born.
The entire AL Central now has an OPS under .700. The Royals fell to .698 yesterday. The entire AL Central now has an OPS+ under 93. The Royals fell to 92.
Offense in this division has been, well, offensive. That's why with the Royals' recent surge, I'm almost ready to declare them (and it's really not even close right now) the best offense in this division--right now.
Chris, that statement alone irritates me that they can’t be competitive in this division.
They might actually be, though I think the Twins probably have a higher upside with Correa and Buxton.
I'm ready to see some new arms be tried out in the rotation with all the rotation health issues. Itching to see Marsh and Veneziano get the promotion to AAA. Carlos has looked good in the bullpen this year. Is there a non-zero chance they'd give him another shot at starting? (probably not)
I would love to see Marsh and Veneziano bumped up and then a couple guys pulled up to backfill there.
As for Hernandez, never say never, but I would say that it's not about the ability as much as it is about the mental makeup. I don't think they believe he's best served mentally pitching every fifth day with four days off in between.
I am with you, but so sad that our hopes are riding on AA guys
> since it has less time to get up to speed
What do you mean by this phrase? The speed of a pitch deceases after it's released from the hand. Releasing the ball closer to the plate should increase velocity based on the extra leverage and shortened distance to the location between the mound and the plate where pitch speed is measured.
Yeah, maybe. I honestly don't know. I'm just wondering if it has an impact.
thank you for giving some reasoning to something other than my eye test for distrusting Keller and Singer's recent performances. (And for some reason I look away less when Brady is at the plate v/s Brad). I have to wonder just how bad the sox are.
Super fun win though-I have always liked the bunt (for hits not sacrifice), and I am starting to appreciate the gladiator helmet much more.
I honestly don't even know where we are/ who is in the rotation these days. Assuming Taylor is an opener? (last three games 1 ip and 15 era-oof) But who comes in next tonight? Do they throw the majority of the bullpen minus Chapman at it and bring the Omaha bus in tomorrow? Don't hear many posts complaining about Yarbs and Lyles these days - we need warm bodies with eras under 10 at this point (sadly including relievers)
Taylor is an opener. I assume it'll be Max Castillo giving bulk innings in this one. Also, I still despise the second year for Lyles, if you needed to hear anyone complain about him still.
Haha fair enough, we just still need so many pieces. Saw on your twitter you had a dream for this Philly pitcher trade as well.
Are you hearing anything on the chances of turning this guy, and possible future acquisitions, into something we can use ala Rays?
I haven't really heard anything specific on McArthur in particular other than that they really like his curve. But that's sort of the dream to be able to take another team's discards and turn them into useful pieces, so I imagine they're going to take plenty of shots to try that.