Brady Singer had an up and down 2021 that ended with a trip off the mound with the trainer. What caused the issues and what can be done to get him back to at least his 2020 self?
I really like these efforts to identify a problem and find a solution. Not only does Brady's, but also the Royals, future depend on the success of such efforts - for the pitchers - and for the hitters. I have some hope - the Big 3 at Omaha - but compare Seuly to them - that somehow, at least on the hitting side, that the Royals may have that ability. Or, even if they are only successful 75% of the time, like with what we hoped would be the Big 4 - that could help a lot. I like the stories from players as to how they finally came to make the change that led to success for them - here is hoping that the Royals scouting and development can be a success for us!
I do enjoy the redemption stories and what they've done to correct issues. There's still so much talent on this roster that it doesn't take a lot for these young arms to become something special.
Thanks David, what's your take on the Singer trade market? Do you feel like this years performance and injury concerns cooled things on that front or are other teams still interested? I want the royals to move him with Mondesdi actually. lol. I actually wish nothing but the best for the guy, but I want the royals to be more transactional and I actually see more downside than upside with Singer moving forward. He will develop a third pitch....I honestly do believe that only if only for survival but I don't see a top of the rotation guy. I think we are going to have plenty of middle of the rotation pieces....and young middle of the rotation pieces are valuable. But if Mondesi/Singer could get you Montas + plus a lottery ticket reliever? (Montas has the track record of performance unlike the two you are moving away) seems like you do it. Alas, I'm resigned to knowing the royals won't trade a 2018 pitcher if only to promote about how they have 5 from the same year. Anyway, hopefully Singer can get it figured out.
I think the injury probably hurt his trade market more than the performance. There are teams that have their doubts about him and his ability to get lefties out, but the way that staffs are built in 2021 and moving forward might not make that quite as important for a team willing to use Singer in a bit of a hybrid role. And obviously there's the ability to develop a pitch to help him with lefties to give him additional upside. I wouldn't trade Singer right now, though, without getting back a multi-year replacement, so if they could get Montas, sure, go do it. If he brings back Bassitt, no thanks. I just think you're selling low because of injury uncertainty.
So, something interesting is that who do the royals have on the pitching staff that they could "sell high" on? I think the only one really out there would be Hernandez and Barlow in pen. I think everyone would think you can't trade Hernandez right now...unless you can get back a difference maker. Doesn't really matter. But I do find it interesting we have all these pieces....but nobody that has really outperformed for the Royals to be more transactional.
Not that I would necessarily move Lacy, but if he continues to pitch well in the AFL, he could be a candidate. Alec Marsh too when he gets there. I'm a big fan of both, so I would be hesitant to move on them, but this is a big reason why Wil Myers never came up in 2012 even though Jeff Francoeur was so dreadful in right field. They didn't want the shine off him.
David, you watching the world series? What's your take on the relievers coming in so early every single game now? Remember when Matt Harvey was able to talk himself back on the mound in the 9th inning of a world series game? Seems so long ago now. I hate it for baseball....but it is what it is for now I guess.
I've definitely been watching and I have something for tomorrow that'll talk about that a little. But one thing to keep in mind is this is the end of the seventh month of a season after they played 60 games. There is obviously a larger trend, but nothing about this season is normal.
I can't actually see any difference between the release points from 2020 to 2021. Am I the only one? Is there a way to layer them and color code them? Or maybe allow toggling back and forth?
I actually was just trying to keep it a little smaller for the email, but I can put them together in a gif and update. It’s not a big change but it doesn’t take much to completely change the way the ball moves.
Thanks for sharing your efforts. I have to shake my head and laugh at there being another human on earth even crazier than I am about the Royals and baseball.
Brady needs to control his emotions. If you noticed, when he does not, his shoulder tightens up along with his throwing arm. Thus, this is why his right shoulder had soreness issues. if he cannot , Brady and the Royals should move him to the closers role 1 inning to two(2) at max. The way he throws, and to get the movement he must stay lose and trust his stuff. When he was relaxed and loose, he is very effective. The two(2) pitches are on the same plane no downward movement. Brady might try a split finger ball from the same release point, which would give his pitches a downward tilt. Again, first stay relaxed and trust his self, which is good enough to get Major League players out.
I really like these efforts to identify a problem and find a solution. Not only does Brady's, but also the Royals, future depend on the success of such efforts - for the pitchers - and for the hitters. I have some hope - the Big 3 at Omaha - but compare Seuly to them - that somehow, at least on the hitting side, that the Royals may have that ability. Or, even if they are only successful 75% of the time, like with what we hoped would be the Big 4 - that could help a lot. I like the stories from players as to how they finally came to make the change that led to success for them - here is hoping that the Royals scouting and development can be a success for us!
I do enjoy the redemption stories and what they've done to correct issues. There's still so much talent on this roster that it doesn't take a lot for these young arms to become something special.
Thanks David, what's your take on the Singer trade market? Do you feel like this years performance and injury concerns cooled things on that front or are other teams still interested? I want the royals to move him with Mondesdi actually. lol. I actually wish nothing but the best for the guy, but I want the royals to be more transactional and I actually see more downside than upside with Singer moving forward. He will develop a third pitch....I honestly do believe that only if only for survival but I don't see a top of the rotation guy. I think we are going to have plenty of middle of the rotation pieces....and young middle of the rotation pieces are valuable. But if Mondesi/Singer could get you Montas + plus a lottery ticket reliever? (Montas has the track record of performance unlike the two you are moving away) seems like you do it. Alas, I'm resigned to knowing the royals won't trade a 2018 pitcher if only to promote about how they have 5 from the same year. Anyway, hopefully Singer can get it figured out.
I think the injury probably hurt his trade market more than the performance. There are teams that have their doubts about him and his ability to get lefties out, but the way that staffs are built in 2021 and moving forward might not make that quite as important for a team willing to use Singer in a bit of a hybrid role. And obviously there's the ability to develop a pitch to help him with lefties to give him additional upside. I wouldn't trade Singer right now, though, without getting back a multi-year replacement, so if they could get Montas, sure, go do it. If he brings back Bassitt, no thanks. I just think you're selling low because of injury uncertainty.
So, something interesting is that who do the royals have on the pitching staff that they could "sell high" on? I think the only one really out there would be Hernandez and Barlow in pen. I think everyone would think you can't trade Hernandez right now...unless you can get back a difference maker. Doesn't really matter. But I do find it interesting we have all these pieces....but nobody that has really outperformed for the Royals to be more transactional.
Not that I would necessarily move Lacy, but if he continues to pitch well in the AFL, he could be a candidate. Alec Marsh too when he gets there. I'm a big fan of both, so I would be hesitant to move on them, but this is a big reason why Wil Myers never came up in 2012 even though Jeff Francoeur was so dreadful in right field. They didn't want the shine off him.
David, you watching the world series? What's your take on the relievers coming in so early every single game now? Remember when Matt Harvey was able to talk himself back on the mound in the 9th inning of a world series game? Seems so long ago now. I hate it for baseball....but it is what it is for now I guess.
I've definitely been watching and I have something for tomorrow that'll talk about that a little. But one thing to keep in mind is this is the end of the seventh month of a season after they played 60 games. There is obviously a larger trend, but nothing about this season is normal.
How is *your* shoulder after the big move, Lesky?
Not great! But I’m old.
I can't actually see any difference between the release points from 2020 to 2021. Am I the only one? Is there a way to layer them and color code them? Or maybe allow toggling back and forth?
I actually was just trying to keep it a little smaller for the email, but I can put them together in a gif and update. It’s not a big change but it doesn’t take much to completely change the way the ball moves.
Thanks for sharing your efforts. I have to shake my head and laugh at there being another human on earth even crazier than I am about the Royals and baseball.
Oh I'm crazy, that's for sure.
Brady needs to control his emotions. If you noticed, when he does not, his shoulder tightens up along with his throwing arm. Thus, this is why his right shoulder had soreness issues. if he cannot , Brady and the Royals should move him to the closers role 1 inning to two(2) at max. The way he throws, and to get the movement he must stay lose and trust his stuff. When he was relaxed and loose, he is very effective. The two(2) pitches are on the same plane no downward movement. Brady might try a split finger ball from the same release point, which would give his pitches a downward tilt. Again, first stay relaxed and trust his self, which is good enough to get Major League players out.
Thanks for the hugely informative article. Please send this to DM & apply for the Royals Pitching Coach position :)
Ha, on it!