There are some promising numbers on the whole. But I don’t think Pratto should make the team based on a few good weeks. He’s done that before and then severely regressed.
That’s why I noted his hot start last year. And as I said, I don’t think he’ll make enough contact for it to matter but the approach is better at least. I’m fine with riding the hot hand all year. Just have to be quick with the decisions if that’s the idea.
I’m all for Pratto hitting….but I hope it is to move him. If you’ve made the decision that he isn’t going to make enough contact then build up what you can and get what you can. I don’t think he will make enough contact. Move on. I understand the depth. But they already played Salvy at first last year. I just see that happening more and more as the contract continues on. I can’t say I love that….but I can totally see it.
It’s about the only thing I really need to see yet. Its actually why I’m intrigued but he Sandlin deal. And I know I’ve said this before and nobody care about what I want to see (but they’ve done a lot that I wanted.). But did they move Sandlin because they saw something and moved while value still up? Or did they move Sandlin because they knew Hernandez arm was a real issue and wanted another arm. Maybe both….but call me intrigued by how that plays out.
I can’t buy any stats. Let’s get to the games already people. It’s interesting because as you age…you really lose interest in the spring stats. Probably from years of being fooled. Lol. But I hate spring stats.
For what it's worth, I've made the decision he won't make enough contact. I don't know that the Royals have. I'm more than fine with them trading Pratto, though. I'm also fine with using the depth and moving him up and down as needed.
Sure, but my hope is if Lesky has already come to that conclusion…I’ve come to that conclusion…..we still need the Royals to come to conclusions faster. Blahahahaha.
I think they have, and they know. They are once again just in a tough spot with a guy they had high hopes for and didn’t move when or if they should have. It’s why Mitchell and Cross are Soooo important. Not just for the talent, but we still need the next wave to see that these things are fixed. Only time can solve that one.
I think they do know, but he's also a guy who has succeeded and he's doing the things they asked of him. Maybe that's all it is and he really doesn't have a shot at the roster. I can tell you that barring something weird happening over the weekend, he still won't be on my roster projection.
David, have you seen the CBS Fantasy Baseball article showing the most sought-after players to start the 2024 fantasy season? Interesting, the Royals led all teams with 3 players in the top 15! Cole was #2, Bobby was 8 and Vinny was 11. Seems lots of expectations...
I haven't, but that's really interesting. I guess not terribly surprising though. While they're lacking high-end depth in the system, they do have some high-end players on the big league roster finally.
I've paid way more than $27 for a lot less value than I get from a year's worth of this newsletter, even if I disagree with some of your takes from time to time. You can definitely count me as a paid subscriber going forward!
I don't want this to come off sarcastically because it is 100% sincere, but I literally did the thing where my eyes got big and my head went back a bit when I read it. Now everyone is doing it to see if they know what I mean and I hope you do because that's an incredibly kind thing to say. Thank you so much!
I actually feel a little guilty sometimes that I'm only paying for one subscription because I've purposely NOT recommended your blog to my dad and brother so that I could one-up them on analysis or news that they aren't getting from whatever Royals pages they look at (probably Royals Review, primarily) when we get together and talk baseball. Tell you what, I'll swear to be the better person this season and tell them to get on the band wagon. Probably. Eventually.
I will absolutely continue my subscription. Not only is the content spectacular, but I know what 1) giving work away for free is like, 2) how extraordinarily valuable time with a new young'un is (we have 5 now and those moments as the nuclear triangle with our first one were GOLD), and 3) it costs about as much as a Minsky's pizza and it's often just as delicious. Only real difference is that I devour ItC in the AM and Minsky's usually doesn't last from the night before.
Gee David, I thought I was paying already, but will definitely continue reading your newsletters. I saw on MLB's 30 clubs in 15 days, that the 2 commentators made quite the predictions for the Royals. Greg Amsinger picked them to go 81 - 81. Yonder Alonso went even crazier and picked our boys to win the AL Central. Sounds good to me, I hope they are even close to right.
I don’t subscribe to Bally’s until opening day, so I’m glad to get the lowdown from this blog. Reading stat lines on ESPN helps, but context is missing. Thanks for doing what you do.
I don't mean to butt in, but do you mean you watch via the Bally's paid app, Diane? Because I currently have no way to watch the games ( switched from DirecTV Stream to Hulu Live TV during the offseason ) & was wondering how you like it if so. Kinda weighing my options at this point.
I’ve said it multiple times. The White Sox are a train wreck right now. And that’s coming from a 56-107 record team…or whatever it ended up being. Lol.
Time time-tried balance of time to make money vs. time with the family - hard to get right and you never know if you do. Glad you are considering it early! Your time is worth money to me - if it gets to the point where it isn't then we'll chat lol. Side note: 'Next thing you know' by Jordan Davis will likely move you to tears if you take time to listen to it.
Pennington - surely if he stays lights out, he makes the team right? So who gets the boot?
I actually don't think Pennington is a full-on guarantee, but yeah, if he holds up a strikeout and walk ratio like these all spring, they'll probably have to give him a shot. What's "nice" is that Carlos Hernandez's injury likely opens up a spot. Jake Brentz was probably penciled in for that last spot when spring started and he's totally lost it, so there are some options. A long way to go in the spring with injury possibilities though.
Well I’m late to the party and it’s already been said, but your content is top notch and you absolutely should be getting paid by those interested in it. You put too much time and effort into it to give it away at this point in my opinion. Especially with a little one and a full time job. Happy to be a supporter.
There are some promising numbers on the whole. But I don’t think Pratto should make the team based on a few good weeks. He’s done that before and then severely regressed.
That’s why I noted his hot start last year. And as I said, I don’t think he’ll make enough contact for it to matter but the approach is better at least. I’m fine with riding the hot hand all year. Just have to be quick with the decisions if that’s the idea.
I’m all for Pratto hitting….but I hope it is to move him. If you’ve made the decision that he isn’t going to make enough contact then build up what you can and get what you can. I don’t think he will make enough contact. Move on. I understand the depth. But they already played Salvy at first last year. I just see that happening more and more as the contract continues on. I can’t say I love that….but I can totally see it.
It’s about the only thing I really need to see yet. Its actually why I’m intrigued but he Sandlin deal. And I know I’ve said this before and nobody care about what I want to see (but they’ve done a lot that I wanted.). But did they move Sandlin because they saw something and moved while value still up? Or did they move Sandlin because they knew Hernandez arm was a real issue and wanted another arm. Maybe both….but call me intrigued by how that plays out.
I can’t buy any stats. Let’s get to the games already people. It’s interesting because as you age…you really lose interest in the spring stats. Probably from years of being fooled. Lol. But I hate spring stats.
For what it's worth, I've made the decision he won't make enough contact. I don't know that the Royals have. I'm more than fine with them trading Pratto, though. I'm also fine with using the depth and moving him up and down as needed.
Sure, but my hope is if Lesky has already come to that conclusion…I’ve come to that conclusion…..we still need the Royals to come to conclusions faster. Blahahahaha.
I think they have, and they know. They are once again just in a tough spot with a guy they had high hopes for and didn’t move when or if they should have. It’s why Mitchell and Cross are Soooo important. Not just for the talent, but we still need the next wave to see that these things are fixed. Only time can solve that one.
I think they do know, but he's also a guy who has succeeded and he's doing the things they asked of him. Maybe that's all it is and he really doesn't have a shot at the roster. I can tell you that barring something weird happening over the weekend, he still won't be on my roster projection.
David, have you seen the CBS Fantasy Baseball article showing the most sought-after players to start the 2024 fantasy season? Interesting, the Royals led all teams with 3 players in the top 15! Cole was #2, Bobby was 8 and Vinny was 11. Seems lots of expectations...
I haven't, but that's really interesting. I guess not terribly surprising though. While they're lacking high-end depth in the system, they do have some high-end players on the big league roster finally.
I've paid way more than $27 for a lot less value than I get from a year's worth of this newsletter, even if I disagree with some of your takes from time to time. You can definitely count me as a paid subscriber going forward!
Thanks man, I really appreciate that!
Yep, I’m happy to keep paying for great, thoughtful content and respectful interaction among subscribers.
10000000000%. I pay for a fair number of sites, & this one's a freakin' bargain for the amount of reading I get from it.
Thank you so much!
Not to put TOO fine a point on it, but you're the only paid subscription I've ever picked up on a blog, and it's worth every penny!
I don't want this to come off sarcastically because it is 100% sincere, but I literally did the thing where my eyes got big and my head went back a bit when I read it. Now everyone is doing it to see if they know what I mean and I hope you do because that's an incredibly kind thing to say. Thank you so much!
I actually feel a little guilty sometimes that I'm only paying for one subscription because I've purposely NOT recommended your blog to my dad and brother so that I could one-up them on analysis or news that they aren't getting from whatever Royals pages they look at (probably Royals Review, primarily) when we get together and talk baseball. Tell you what, I'll swear to be the better person this season and tell them to get on the band wagon. Probably. Eventually.
Haha, hey, whatever gives you bragging rights is good with me.
I will keep subscribing and I posted this on Facebook and tagged the Die Hard Kansas City Royals Fans group that I've been a part of since 2015.
Thanks so much, Erika! I really appreciate your support!
I will absolutely continue my subscription. Not only is the content spectacular, but I know what 1) giving work away for free is like, 2) how extraordinarily valuable time with a new young'un is (we have 5 now and those moments as the nuclear triangle with our first one were GOLD), and 3) it costs about as much as a Minsky's pizza and it's often just as delicious. Only real difference is that I devour ItC in the AM and Minsky's usually doesn't last from the night before.
I really appreciate the kind words, Tom! I don't appreciate that I now want pizza and I'm supposed to be eating healthier!
Gee David, I thought I was paying already, but will definitely continue reading your newsletters. I saw on MLB's 30 clubs in 15 days, that the 2 commentators made quite the predictions for the Royals. Greg Amsinger picked them to go 81 - 81. Yonder Alonso went even crazier and picked our boys to win the AL Central. Sounds good to me, I hope they are even close to right.
I'm pretty sure you are! I can't check for certain because Substack is doing some maintenance right now.
I don’t subscribe to Bally’s until opening day, so I’m glad to get the lowdown from this blog. Reading stat lines on ESPN helps, but context is missing. Thanks for doing what you do.
Thanks Diane! I appreciate it!
I don't mean to butt in, but do you mean you watch via the Bally's paid app, Diane? Because I currently have no way to watch the games ( switched from DirecTV Stream to Hulu Live TV during the offseason ) & was wondering how you like it if so. Kinda weighing my options at this point.
Worth every penny! (People are also saying that about my Substack.)
Man, I'd pay for yours 100%.
Sheesh, another analyst nickel and diming people. I can't handle it. Just kidding, I'm already a subscriber!
And I thank you for that!
Brad Keller signs with the white Sox. Someone wanna tell the white Sox that Lucus Duda is still available?
Mike Jacobs probably has some time on his hands too.
I’ve said it multiple times. The White Sox are a train wreck right now. And that’s coming from a 56-107 record team…or whatever it ended up being. Lol.
Time time-tried balance of time to make money vs. time with the family - hard to get right and you never know if you do. Glad you are considering it early! Your time is worth money to me - if it gets to the point where it isn't then we'll chat lol. Side note: 'Next thing you know' by Jordan Davis will likely move you to tears if you take time to listen to it.
Pennington - surely if he stays lights out, he makes the team right? So who gets the boot?
I actually don't think Pennington is a full-on guarantee, but yeah, if he holds up a strikeout and walk ratio like these all spring, they'll probably have to give him a shot. What's "nice" is that Carlos Hernandez's injury likely opens up a spot. Jake Brentz was probably penciled in for that last spot when spring started and he's totally lost it, so there are some options. A long way to go in the spring with injury possibilities though.
I just like that there's a Walter on the team. When's the last time you saw someone that age named Walter?
Corey Matthews decided to go by Walter when he got scared of college and ran away to hang out with Mr. Feeny in Jackson Hole.
That’s all I’ve got.
( Googles ) Ah...OK. I figured it was a reference I'm too old for. CONFIRMED!!!
I'm actually excited this year as well. Big roster turnover, some guys having improved walk rates, and some young guys making noise.
(And, kudos on your decision. Kiddo time is precious, and were definitely not as cute as she is!)
Hey, it’s the time for optimism! But yeah, you’re right about the kid being cuter (though I am biased).
Just subscribed for a year. Can’t imagine the season without your content.
Thank you so much, Matt!
Well I’m late to the party and it’s already been said, but your content is top notch and you absolutely should be getting paid by those interested in it. You put too much time and effort into it to give it away at this point in my opinion. Especially with a little one and a full time job. Happy to be a supporter.
I’ll never hold it against anyone being late if they’re saying something nice about me haha. Thank you!