Glad to see Homer as well. I guess you could throw Cain in there as well but his ending with the Royals was about as well as it could go. The Padres made the huge offer, the Royals could just part ways. Happy ending all around. After seeing Whit’s departure and thinking back on Moustakas they didn’t all end up that way.
Isbel…….Its too early yet. But he’s into his second year now. I’m not saying not plenty of time to figure it out and the situation has been tough for him. That said…..He’s on the struggle bus big time. I wouldn’t mind if he got a fresh start somewhere this offseason to be honest. Probably not the best thing for the royals but for him anyway. Feels like he’s getting passed up a bit here. And the playing time has been sparse…I get it….but its also one of those you have to take advantage of the opportunity deals I think he’s missed on.
Bubic…..let me start by saying I’m glad he’s back to pitching the way he can. And this isn’t a dog on Bubic….I just want to make sure the pitching coach doesn’t get credit for getting Bubic back to who he is. LOL. He’s a 4….4.50 ERA pitcher he’s shown the last couple of years. A slow starter and comes on strong later in the year. That’s his track record……or at least that’s the information we have. Eldred doesn’t get credit for getting him back to being the pitcher he is. I’m not sure it’s actual year over year improvement yet as much as just getting back to the pitcher he is. If that makes sense.
Clarke pitched well. Neither hit was barreled and the RBI single came on a 95mph fastball at the very top (and not middle) of the zone. Pretty sure thats exactly where Sal and Clarke intended it to go.
Michael Massey as impeccable swing mechanics along with a certain swagger, like he knows he's going to be good.
Pratto has a >40% K rate. Not good....
KC Royals baseball is fun again even tho they aren't actually good yet. I haven't been this excited about a bunch of young players since 2012.
Nothing baseball related today. The title of the story made me think of Dr. Seuss and the B Book - Big Brown Berar Blue Bull Beautiful Baboon Blowing Bubbles Biking Backwards......
Loved reading that book to my kids. Thanks for making me think of it.
It was really encouraging to see the way Bubic pulled himself together after that wobbly first inning. There are few starting pitchers who are immune to that whole "wobbly first inning" thing, so I'm not going to ding him much for that.
In the larger picture it seems that somehow, some way, a few of the younger pitchers are finding ways to overcome the coaching they've received in this organization, from Eldred down through the minor leagues.
Some pitchers who are unusually fiery and emotional seem to be able to channel all of that into pitching well. Guys like Pedro and Schilling come to mind. Closer to home, I think of Shields and Cueto, maybe even Kelvin Herrera. We all watched Yordano struggle with that at times.
Then there are other guys who seem to constantly be seeking to avenge some imagined wrong, or who are out to prove their manhood rather than looking to get outs. Those guys usually don't do well because they're unable or unwilling to control or channel their emotions.
I've seen enough of Amir Garrett to have him classified in the latter group. Sure, he has a MLB-caliber arm. But I'm feeling very little confidence that he has a MLB-caliber head.
Aug 6, 2022·edited Aug 6, 2022Liked by David Lesky
David - just wanted to let you know I REALLY enjoyed your August 5 article on the "Baby Royals" at Royals Review. (Except for the mention of Mondesi, of course.)
BWJ to 3rd base absolutely makes sense to me! Lopez played SS at a Gold Glove level last year and there's no reason to waste that. Put Pratto at 1B with Massey at 2B and leave that infield alone! Sorry Vinnie but it looks like you're a DH.
As far as MJ in RF goes, maybe they can convince Rusty Kuntz to work with him over the winter???? I know he isn't officially an outfield coach anymore but he still has all that coaching knowledge and experience. I can hardly think of a better way for him to use it unless (maybe) it's coaching Olivares.
Glad to see Homer as well. I guess you could throw Cain in there as well but his ending with the Royals was about as well as it could go. The Padres made the huge offer, the Royals could just part ways. Happy ending all around. After seeing Whit’s departure and thinking back on Moustakas they didn’t all end up that way.
Isbel…….Its too early yet. But he’s into his second year now. I’m not saying not plenty of time to figure it out and the situation has been tough for him. That said…..He’s on the struggle bus big time. I wouldn’t mind if he got a fresh start somewhere this offseason to be honest. Probably not the best thing for the royals but for him anyway. Feels like he’s getting passed up a bit here. And the playing time has been sparse…I get it….but its also one of those you have to take advantage of the opportunity deals I think he’s missed on.
Bubic…..let me start by saying I’m glad he’s back to pitching the way he can. And this isn’t a dog on Bubic….I just want to make sure the pitching coach doesn’t get credit for getting Bubic back to who he is. LOL. He’s a 4….4.50 ERA pitcher he’s shown the last couple of years. A slow starter and comes on strong later in the year. That’s his track record……or at least that’s the information we have. Eldred doesn’t get credit for getting him back to being the pitcher he is. I’m not sure it’s actual year over year improvement yet as much as just getting back to the pitcher he is. If that makes sense.
When are they going to DFA O’Hearn to free up another roster spot
Clarke pitched well. Neither hit was barreled and the RBI single came on a 95mph fastball at the very top (and not middle) of the zone. Pretty sure thats exactly where Sal and Clarke intended it to go.
Michael Massey as impeccable swing mechanics along with a certain swagger, like he knows he's going to be good.
Pratto has a >40% K rate. Not good....
KC Royals baseball is fun again even tho they aren't actually good yet. I haven't been this excited about a bunch of young players since 2012.
Nothing baseball related today. The title of the story made me think of Dr. Seuss and the B Book - Big Brown Berar Blue Bull Beautiful Baboon Blowing Bubbles Biking Backwards......
Loved reading that book to my kids. Thanks for making me think of it.
It was really encouraging to see the way Bubic pulled himself together after that wobbly first inning. There are few starting pitchers who are immune to that whole "wobbly first inning" thing, so I'm not going to ding him much for that.
In the larger picture it seems that somehow, some way, a few of the younger pitchers are finding ways to overcome the coaching they've received in this organization, from Eldred down through the minor leagues.
What a shame that they have to do that!
Some pitchers who are unusually fiery and emotional seem to be able to channel all of that into pitching well. Guys like Pedro and Schilling come to mind. Closer to home, I think of Shields and Cueto, maybe even Kelvin Herrera. We all watched Yordano struggle with that at times.
Then there are other guys who seem to constantly be seeking to avenge some imagined wrong, or who are out to prove their manhood rather than looking to get outs. Those guys usually don't do well because they're unable or unwilling to control or channel their emotions.
I've seen enough of Amir Garrett to have him classified in the latter group. Sure, he has a MLB-caliber arm. But I'm feeling very little confidence that he has a MLB-caliber head.
David - just wanted to let you know I REALLY enjoyed your August 5 article on the "Baby Royals" at Royals Review. (Except for the mention of Mondesi, of course.)
BWJ to 3rd base absolutely makes sense to me! Lopez played SS at a Gold Glove level last year and there's no reason to waste that. Put Pratto at 1B with Massey at 2B and leave that infield alone! Sorry Vinnie but it looks like you're a DH.
As far as MJ in RF goes, maybe they can convince Rusty Kuntz to work with him over the winter???? I know he isn't officially an outfield coach anymore but he still has all that coaching knowledge and experience. I can hardly think of a better way for him to use it unless (maybe) it's coaching Olivares.