Pratto is the biggest disappointment for me. Based on what he did in '21, I really thought he was going to be the 1B for years to come and Vinnie would lock up the DH role. I won't be shocked if someone helps him unlock his potential but I will be surprised if it's the Royals organization.
Carlos...is who he is - someone with all the tools in the world but zero consistency.
I'm less confident that someone can unlock it in Pratto. This isn't hard and fast, of course, but guys who tend to find success later on either make a lot of contact or when they do make contact, it's loud. Pratto does neither. So someone can help him to make more contact, but it's not impactful. And someone may be able to help him make more impactful contact, but he's still not likely to make enough. I just don't see it and that's really disappointing to me.
With Hernandez, consistency can come with experience and maturity. I'd much rather bet on tools like his if they're picking one.
Two doubles, one HR and one SB this weekend to go with ten triples would be 30/30/50/10 for Jr. How special would that be - even without the two doubles?
In the time you took to write this, Pratto struck out three more times, two looking. He CAN'T EVEN HIT THE FRICKIN' BALL.
And yeah, CH is sporting a 2.500 WHIP, a 1.234 OPS, and not only the six homers in 16 innings, but also six doubles and two triples. FOURTEEN XBH to go along with 15 walks--to only 86 batters! Juan Berenguer was the original "El Gasolino," but I've broken it out again for Carlos, but only this time in a negative connotation.
Not lost on me is that fact that the numbers you gave started the very day Scott Barlow was traded. Is it a case of "correlation without causation?" I don't know, but for some reason I just can't ignore that it might not be.
And my underrated guy has to be Michael Massey. He had a literal OPS- in early May (he was more than 100% worse than the average MLB hitter), but he has rebounded really nicely, and his defense is pristine (though he did commit a bad error on Tuesday night that cost the team dearly, but that's going to happen to everyone).
All in all, a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad season, but I'm still going to miss the boys and I'm intrigued by what might happen in Nashville in December and already psyched for March 28th to get here!
That's the issue with Pratto. The lack of contact is glaring, but he makes it worse with his swing decisions.
I've written many times that a lot of Hernandez's issues seem to go well beyond the talent in his arm. I think it's very possible that the day the bullpen became "his" is the day he peed down his leg and never stopped.
And agreed, Massey had a very nice rebound. A .722 OPS from a good defensive second baseman isn't nothing. He's probably a guy you don't ever feel fully satisfied with without him taking another step, but he's also not a priority to fix over other more glaring issues.
I always look forward to reading your writing, David. Zach Davies was DFA'd the other day. Since he is only 30, and used to be a pretty good horse, might he be a good reclamation project for the pitching staff. I look forward to reading you this winter.
I'd stay about a million miles away from him. I wasn't a fan of the Chapman signing because of off-field issues, but I'm also not so naive to think that talent doesn't win out. But I don't hold out much hope for a guy who tops out at 90, personal issues or not.
But guys like him in general who have had success are exactly what they'll likely be looking at.
I’m not in anyway defending Chapman here. But if we are just talking about results. There is no other version on earth or prior universe timelines that the Chapman trade could have gone any better for the Royals. A potential ace for a rental reliever with issues. Unfortunately, it probably doesn’t help the narrative of douchbags with talent keep getting shots.
A lot to unpack in this one………I’ll start with Hernandez. Man, that one is frustrating to me. I’ll even give JJ a pass. I don’t expect him to bat 1000% and he picked up Ragans and Velasquez (still not quite sure on him but the power is real)….but I’m just a believer in move a reliever anytime you can on a bad team. This one played out that way but I get still time. He is garbage right now.
The Sweeney comments were actually really telling to me. Maybe I’m reading too much into it…maybe I’m seeing what I want to see….not sure. But him saying its taking longer than expected means either the talent isn’t there or the buy in isn’t there. And look, it’s my biggest frustration with this whole front office. Nobody can argue to me anymore that it’s not a talent issue. We changed out the coaches and the record got worse. Coaches have paid the price for poor performance (Matheny, Eldred), players have paid the price for poor performance (Dozier, Reyes), but nobody in the front office ever pays the price for poor performance. I think it’s great they brought in new blood…but how nobody can be fired it beyond me in a performance based business. I’m convinced until this boys club is over with….this isn’t going to change. It’s just frustrating to be a fan of that. No need to comment on that, just frustrated by that corporate structure. Lol.
On to the next, come on Bobby. Get that last bomb.
I really think the idea of just trading any reliever as soon as they have value makes sense but has gotten beyond overstated. I really do get it, but not every single good player has to be traded from a bad team. Obviously this was a miss in hindsight, but I just struggle with that a bit.
I get where you're coming from about the front office, but I also will continue to think it's at least a little misguided. We've argued enough about that, so you know where I stand on it, but the comment to me was that it's simply a bigger undertaking than they expected. When you couple that with what I've heard for awhile about them supposedly being active this winter and my thought is they see the gap and realize they need to bridge that with outside talent. And a good amount of that will likely come in the way of coaching.
Understand with he FO…I’m just venting on that, no need to get into that. :)
On Hernandez…I agree not every good player needs to be traded. I guess my caveat would be that Hernandez has never been good except that that stretch. I actually get it…and I give JJ a pass on that one. It’s just in hindsight it doesn’t nothing but solidify my belief that if you could actually get something for a reliever who has been good for exactly 3 months of his career. Just pull the trigger on a team that won’t be in contention next year. It’s all hindsight is all. They had a good enough trade deadline it’s not a big deal. They are just at a terrible spot where can’t let opportunities pass is all. On an average team…I don’t think it would get much run honestly. But you can’t not trade him…and then just release him. For that reason alone, I bet he makes the roster next year.
Here’s my million dollar question on Vinny/Pratto. I’m done with Pratto…but I think I never really saw it even late last year. What exactly is the Royals philosophy here though? Is it give me a guy who can hit and we’ll teach power? Or give me the power tool and we’ll teach contact? Because you have both perfect examples in Vinny/Pratto here. And I’d probably tell you they were going to go Vinny at first all year and Pratto is only here because of injury. But just in general so the next time this comes up you trade one of them and go with the organizational belief. What is it exactly?
I think it's easy to forget that Hernandez looked solid as a starter for a stretch in 2021 too. Not that it changes the point much, but he had a 3.23 ERA/4.17 FIP in 64 innings to end that season. If there was a starter doing that this year, he'd be written in ink to start game two of 2024.
Pratto definitely has only had the opportunity he's had this year because of Vinnie's injury, which is actually fine. They evaluated and now they have an answer. I don't know what their overall philosophy is, and I think I'm okay with it, but I'm honestly not sure if I am or not. In some ways, I'd hate them to limit themselves because if they were about the hit tool over power, they'd have never acquired Velazquez. But if they were all about power over hit, they might miss out on that contact bat that can be very useful in the right lineup. My gut is that the organizational belief is that the guy who can make contact is the guy you can get more use out of, but I don't know that for certain.
That interesting that you aren’t sure. The only reason I ask is because we need to get to these quicker. Meaning would your philosophy have helped make this decision while they were in AAA? Maybe, maybe not. But with Vinny, Pratto, MJ, what’s done is done. But kinda think you need to have something to fall back on because you need to know what these guys are before they are in the majors. For all I know they did feel like they knew it just hasn’t worked out. I’m just curious what they believe on that front. Maybe it’s just a case by case view. Right, wrong, or indifferent…IDK.
I truly don't know if it's better to have a type or not. Talent should be their type.
I also think this is getting off on a different tangent, but I sort of feel like MJ has probably been what they expected. After his 2021 season, he wasn't given much consideration at all to start the year on the active roster. I would guess they expected he might take some time to get going. He showed a good approach, some power and a bit of an issue with decent but not out of this world batted ball data. He came out this year, struggled, made adjustments and is hitting .268/.347/.473 since the break. So a little side note, but I actually would bet MJ is mostly on track with what they expected.
Yeah MJ has been a lot better. Think you have to pencil him in left starting the year if they don’t trade him. I still feel like platooning him makes a lot of sense and would make his numbers look even better. But I’m sure they just wanted him to get all the at bats he could. That’s fine, so be it. Look, a Velasquez/Melendez platoon makes alot of sense to me. Start putting guys in the very best spots to succeed is the next step to me. I don’t really care how many AB’s he gets. Just get those AB’s in the most advantageous spots you can. A Waters/Isbel/Velasquez_Melendez platoon isn’t a great outfield yet…but probably the best setup they have on this actual roster right now.
Pratto is a tremendous disappointment to me. He has a long swing arc and does not have the strength to get that long swing to make contact. I do not know how many times this past season watching him take a called third strike! He never would choke up on the bat to increase his bat speed and swing at anything close to the strike zone! I coached little league for many years and my major pet peeve was having kids look at a called third strike! Pratto is at everyone knows about 600 at bats in MLB and is hitting 0.215! The Royals gave him all the chances to succeed and it is time to move on!!!
In an odd way, it may be good to finish off the season on a sour note. My concern was a year-end winning streak would make the Royals (and fans) think they are the cusp of contention.
I thought (and said) they should have traded Hernandez at the deadline when he was pitching well. He has very little value now, if any.
We finally agree on Pratto. Move him out and let’s see what the other guys can do. Loftin should have gotten those ABs for the entire second half of the season.
Who are the playoff caliber players on this roster? BWJ for sure, maybe Vinnie (although he is a liability defensively), maybe Ramirez, hopefully Ragans continues his strong performance. I like what I’ve seen of Loftin. I love Salvy and what he has meant to the team and community, but he is past his prime and 40 pounds overweight. Velasquez has some serious pop, but strikes out way too much and is also a defensive liability, which won’t work at Kauffman Stadium.
You simply don’t make the playoffs with a bunch of .225 hitters, almost no starting pitching and a bad bullpen. IMO, the hole is deep.
Great to see them come out swinging last night after that detroit series
I thought BWJ going 30-30 was what I wanted to see, but actually I am more impressed how he has helped the team vs swinging for the fences while he was dangling at 29 the last couple weeks.
Speaking of pride, do you think not being the worst (maybe just tied) royals team ever has been some motivation? They've gotta know right?
Sherman served me plenty of tasty koolaid pregame last night: trying to nail down bobby AND get multiple rotation pieces?- more please sir!
Looking forward to your dive into FA market or the other options for pitching (i'll miss you captain)
Thanks for the all the great content this season - people actually think i know what i'm talking about now ;)
Pratto is the biggest disappointment for me. Based on what he did in '21, I really thought he was going to be the 1B for years to come and Vinnie would lock up the DH role. I won't be shocked if someone helps him unlock his potential but I will be surprised if it's the Royals organization.
Carlos...is who he is - someone with all the tools in the world but zero consistency.
I'm less confident that someone can unlock it in Pratto. This isn't hard and fast, of course, but guys who tend to find success later on either make a lot of contact or when they do make contact, it's loud. Pratto does neither. So someone can help him to make more contact, but it's not impactful. And someone may be able to help him make more impactful contact, but he's still not likely to make enough. I just don't see it and that's really disappointing to me.
With Hernandez, consistency can come with experience and maturity. I'd much rather bet on tools like his if they're picking one.
Two doubles, one HR and one SB this weekend to go with ten triples would be 30/30/50/10 for Jr. How special would that be - even without the two doubles?
Pretty special. I looked that up awhile ago when it seemed possible, but maybe not probable and yeah, he'd be the only one ever.
In the time you took to write this, Pratto struck out three more times, two looking. He CAN'T EVEN HIT THE FRICKIN' BALL.
And yeah, CH is sporting a 2.500 WHIP, a 1.234 OPS, and not only the six homers in 16 innings, but also six doubles and two triples. FOURTEEN XBH to go along with 15 walks--to only 86 batters! Juan Berenguer was the original "El Gasolino," but I've broken it out again for Carlos, but only this time in a negative connotation.
Not lost on me is that fact that the numbers you gave started the very day Scott Barlow was traded. Is it a case of "correlation without causation?" I don't know, but for some reason I just can't ignore that it might not be.
And my underrated guy has to be Michael Massey. He had a literal OPS- in early May (he was more than 100% worse than the average MLB hitter), but he has rebounded really nicely, and his defense is pristine (though he did commit a bad error on Tuesday night that cost the team dearly, but that's going to happen to everyone).
All in all, a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad season, but I'm still going to miss the boys and I'm intrigued by what might happen in Nashville in December and already psyched for March 28th to get here!
That's the issue with Pratto. The lack of contact is glaring, but he makes it worse with his swing decisions.
I've written many times that a lot of Hernandez's issues seem to go well beyond the talent in his arm. I think it's very possible that the day the bullpen became "his" is the day he peed down his leg and never stopped.
And agreed, Massey had a very nice rebound. A .722 OPS from a good defensive second baseman isn't nothing. He's probably a guy you don't ever feel fully satisfied with without him taking another step, but he's also not a priority to fix over other more glaring issues.
I always look forward to reading your writing, David. Zach Davies was DFA'd the other day. Since he is only 30, and used to be a pretty good horse, might he be a good reclamation project for the pitching staff. I look forward to reading you this winter.
I'd stay about a million miles away from him. I wasn't a fan of the Chapman signing because of off-field issues, but I'm also not so naive to think that talent doesn't win out. But I don't hold out much hope for a guy who tops out at 90, personal issues or not.
But guys like him in general who have had success are exactly what they'll likely be looking at.
Thanks, I didn't know he'd had some personal issues.
Yeah, not exactly a good dude. And, like I said, the reality is that not good dudes keep getting shots if they can play. I'm not sure he's worth it.
I’m not in anyway defending Chapman here. But if we are just talking about results. There is no other version on earth or prior universe timelines that the Chapman trade could have gone any better for the Royals. A potential ace for a rental reliever with issues. Unfortunately, it probably doesn’t help the narrative of douchbags with talent keep getting shots.
Talent will always get a shot, no matter what. A guy like Davies isn't good enough to mess around with, in my opinion.
A lot to unpack in this one………I’ll start with Hernandez. Man, that one is frustrating to me. I’ll even give JJ a pass. I don’t expect him to bat 1000% and he picked up Ragans and Velasquez (still not quite sure on him but the power is real)….but I’m just a believer in move a reliever anytime you can on a bad team. This one played out that way but I get still time. He is garbage right now.
The Sweeney comments were actually really telling to me. Maybe I’m reading too much into it…maybe I’m seeing what I want to see….not sure. But him saying its taking longer than expected means either the talent isn’t there or the buy in isn’t there. And look, it’s my biggest frustration with this whole front office. Nobody can argue to me anymore that it’s not a talent issue. We changed out the coaches and the record got worse. Coaches have paid the price for poor performance (Matheny, Eldred), players have paid the price for poor performance (Dozier, Reyes), but nobody in the front office ever pays the price for poor performance. I think it’s great they brought in new blood…but how nobody can be fired it beyond me in a performance based business. I’m convinced until this boys club is over with….this isn’t going to change. It’s just frustrating to be a fan of that. No need to comment on that, just frustrated by that corporate structure. Lol.
On to the next, come on Bobby. Get that last bomb.
I really think the idea of just trading any reliever as soon as they have value makes sense but has gotten beyond overstated. I really do get it, but not every single good player has to be traded from a bad team. Obviously this was a miss in hindsight, but I just struggle with that a bit.
I get where you're coming from about the front office, but I also will continue to think it's at least a little misguided. We've argued enough about that, so you know where I stand on it, but the comment to me was that it's simply a bigger undertaking than they expected. When you couple that with what I've heard for awhile about them supposedly being active this winter and my thought is they see the gap and realize they need to bridge that with outside talent. And a good amount of that will likely come in the way of coaching.
Understand with he FO…I’m just venting on that, no need to get into that. :)
On Hernandez…I agree not every good player needs to be traded. I guess my caveat would be that Hernandez has never been good except that that stretch. I actually get it…and I give JJ a pass on that one. It’s just in hindsight it doesn’t nothing but solidify my belief that if you could actually get something for a reliever who has been good for exactly 3 months of his career. Just pull the trigger on a team that won’t be in contention next year. It’s all hindsight is all. They had a good enough trade deadline it’s not a big deal. They are just at a terrible spot where can’t let opportunities pass is all. On an average team…I don’t think it would get much run honestly. But you can’t not trade him…and then just release him. For that reason alone, I bet he makes the roster next year.
Here’s my million dollar question on Vinny/Pratto. I’m done with Pratto…but I think I never really saw it even late last year. What exactly is the Royals philosophy here though? Is it give me a guy who can hit and we’ll teach power? Or give me the power tool and we’ll teach contact? Because you have both perfect examples in Vinny/Pratto here. And I’d probably tell you they were going to go Vinny at first all year and Pratto is only here because of injury. But just in general so the next time this comes up you trade one of them and go with the organizational belief. What is it exactly?
I think it's easy to forget that Hernandez looked solid as a starter for a stretch in 2021 too. Not that it changes the point much, but he had a 3.23 ERA/4.17 FIP in 64 innings to end that season. If there was a starter doing that this year, he'd be written in ink to start game two of 2024.
Pratto definitely has only had the opportunity he's had this year because of Vinnie's injury, which is actually fine. They evaluated and now they have an answer. I don't know what their overall philosophy is, and I think I'm okay with it, but I'm honestly not sure if I am or not. In some ways, I'd hate them to limit themselves because if they were about the hit tool over power, they'd have never acquired Velazquez. But if they were all about power over hit, they might miss out on that contact bat that can be very useful in the right lineup. My gut is that the organizational belief is that the guy who can make contact is the guy you can get more use out of, but I don't know that for certain.
That interesting that you aren’t sure. The only reason I ask is because we need to get to these quicker. Meaning would your philosophy have helped make this decision while they were in AAA? Maybe, maybe not. But with Vinny, Pratto, MJ, what’s done is done. But kinda think you need to have something to fall back on because you need to know what these guys are before they are in the majors. For all I know they did feel like they knew it just hasn’t worked out. I’m just curious what they believe on that front. Maybe it’s just a case by case view. Right, wrong, or indifferent…IDK.
I truly don't know if it's better to have a type or not. Talent should be their type.
I also think this is getting off on a different tangent, but I sort of feel like MJ has probably been what they expected. After his 2021 season, he wasn't given much consideration at all to start the year on the active roster. I would guess they expected he might take some time to get going. He showed a good approach, some power and a bit of an issue with decent but not out of this world batted ball data. He came out this year, struggled, made adjustments and is hitting .268/.347/.473 since the break. So a little side note, but I actually would bet MJ is mostly on track with what they expected.
Yeah MJ has been a lot better. Think you have to pencil him in left starting the year if they don’t trade him. I still feel like platooning him makes a lot of sense and would make his numbers look even better. But I’m sure they just wanted him to get all the at bats he could. That’s fine, so be it. Look, a Velasquez/Melendez platoon makes alot of sense to me. Start putting guys in the very best spots to succeed is the next step to me. I don’t really care how many AB’s he gets. Just get those AB’s in the most advantageous spots you can. A Waters/Isbel/Velasquez_Melendez platoon isn’t a great outfield yet…but probably the best setup they have on this actual roster right now.
Pratto is a tremendous disappointment to me. He has a long swing arc and does not have the strength to get that long swing to make contact. I do not know how many times this past season watching him take a called third strike! He never would choke up on the bat to increase his bat speed and swing at anything close to the strike zone! I coached little league for many years and my major pet peeve was having kids look at a called third strike! Pratto is at everyone knows about 600 at bats in MLB and is hitting 0.215! The Royals gave him all the chances to succeed and it is time to move on!!!
David, I have really enjoyed your notes on the Royals this year. Thank you. Be well, Friend.
That's so nice of you to say! Thanks so much for reading!
In an odd way, it may be good to finish off the season on a sour note. My concern was a year-end winning streak would make the Royals (and fans) think they are the cusp of contention.
I thought (and said) they should have traded Hernandez at the deadline when he was pitching well. He has very little value now, if any.
We finally agree on Pratto. Move him out and let’s see what the other guys can do. Loftin should have gotten those ABs for the entire second half of the season.
Who are the playoff caliber players on this roster? BWJ for sure, maybe Vinnie (although he is a liability defensively), maybe Ramirez, hopefully Ragans continues his strong performance. I like what I’ve seen of Loftin. I love Salvy and what he has meant to the team and community, but he is past his prime and 40 pounds overweight. Velasquez has some serious pop, but strikes out way too much and is also a defensive liability, which won’t work at Kauffman Stadium.
You simply don’t make the playoffs with a bunch of .225 hitters, almost no starting pitching and a bad bullpen. IMO, the hole is deep.
Thank you for keeping me interested all year!
Great to see them come out swinging last night after that detroit series
I thought BWJ going 30-30 was what I wanted to see, but actually I am more impressed how he has helped the team vs swinging for the fences while he was dangling at 29 the last couple weeks.
Speaking of pride, do you think not being the worst (maybe just tied) royals team ever has been some motivation? They've gotta know right?
Sherman served me plenty of tasty koolaid pregame last night: trying to nail down bobby AND get multiple rotation pieces?- more please sir!
Looking forward to your dive into FA market or the other options for pitching (i'll miss you captain)
Thanks for the all the great content this season - people actually think i know what i'm talking about now ;)