Do you think they’re making a point to give Garcia games at short lately? I’m sure it’s just a good opportunity to keep Witt Jr. In the lineup while not shifting him around in the field but I could see them doing it to show off Garcia’s ability at short. I agree that it’s extremely unlikely he’s traded but might as well try and tempt teams
I did consider that a little bit, but I really don't. I think they are making a much bigger effort this year to give players half days off. I mean we saw Waters DH last night. Bobby Witt Jr. wore down some last season and getting him off the field here and there is a good idea. Now, it could very well be an added benefit if some team wants to come and offer a ridiculous haul, but my guess is that's not why they're doing it.
1. Charles. Glad to hear a legit prospect is climbing the ranks. Love that he young for his level. Not that it is the end all be all, but you see Miami throw out 20 year old starting pitchers every year it seems like so I know it’s possible. Lol. Here is where I want to see something different though. You mentioned unorthodox swing….dont love hearing that with Melendez struggling all year and his unorthodox swing. You mentioned he’s playing 3rd. Please, please, please, I beg you Royals….if Garcia or Wallace will be at third in two years. Move him while his helium is at his highest. I just want to see some of these decisions on where guys are going to play BEFORE they actually get to the show.
2. Mentioned it was a good draft last year minus the first round pick so far. Want to hear that but at the same time don’t if that makes sense. I want that whole department overhauled. Years of data overrule one draft. It needs to be done and I hope that fact doesn’t mean it doesn’t get changed.
3. I agree it’s not the right time trading some of the young guys. But at the same time……..will it ever be? I’m stuck because, they suck…..some pieces need to be moved but who? They will not get better next year by keeping the same pieces on the roster. It isn’t going to happen. Ok, they may get slightly better than this product but not better better to matter. So in general I 100% agree the timing doesn’t seem right to move them….but then I’m also like….it can’t just be Chapman and Barlow. CANT just be Chapman and Barlow.
4. I’ve heard high school arm in the draft at 8 or I saw a college catcher. My gosh….please that can’t be the pick.
I wouldn't be too surprised if Charles ends up in the outfield, honestly. I don't know much about his defense. But we'll see how they handle it.
As for the draft, people don't seem to want to hear it, but it was the first year with a new person running the draft. It's not Lonnie Goldberg anymore, it's Danny Ontiveros. They did change how they're doing things and, honestly, we still don't know anything because of how massive a role Dayton Moore played in everything.
As for it being the wrong time to trade some of these guys, the deadline is the wrong time. The offseason is fine. They need to. I hope they do. You just don't get the same value at the deadline for guys who aren't going to be on the front line of helping a team make a playoff push. They're not trading just Chapman and Barlow either.
I'm not going to speak in absolutes here, but I highly doubt they're drafting a high school pitcher at 8. And the college catcher you speak of is Kyle Teel, who I think would be an outstanding pick. He can really, really hit.
Ok, not just Chapman and Barlow…..but I guess I’m not expecting much for Olivares, Lopez, or maybe Isbel. I think in the end I was hoping for more with Chapman and Barlow so I’m coming away a little disappointed and the trading season isn’t even here yet….so that doesn’t make sense. We’ll see what they do. Really hoping for something creative.
I don’t know that anyone really wants to hear it…..but trading Melendez is going to make this team better. Just having Isbel and Waters manning those two spots makes this team better on the defensive side. No the offense isn’t going to play, but it’s not really now anyway. It’s not what the rest of the year is about and I know you think he is a piece that gets moved anyway. But I’m almost to the addition by subtraction part with him moving now. It’s official in my eyes. He needs a change of scenery.
You're right. The trade season isn't here yet. The market is basically silent because of the draft (still hate that move). There's just no value individually to being upset about something that hasn't even happened yet. We don't know what the return for Barlow will be. I haven't heard anything. About anyone!
I also disagree, in theory, with what you're saying about Melendez. Trading him doesn't make the team better. Figuring out how to get him back to what he was and then trading him absolutely does. Oh, and reaping the benefits of him until the trade as well. He is a 24-year old who absolutely dominated the highest levels of the minors as a 22-year old. It's not addition by subtraction to move him right now. It's front office malpractice to move him right now (assuming the return is what I think it would be at this moment). I know you're frustrated with him. I get it. He's very frustrating because the approach is just completely out the window and he needs to get right. I'd send him to AAA. There's no shame in that. But to move on now wastes years of resources and brings back pennies on the dollar in a move that'll still be there later if they can't figure out how to get him back right.
Ok, yes….trading Melendez now is a bit of an over-reaction. I think what maybe I’m getting at is something needs to happen. SOME…thing needs to change with what they are doing with him. AAA is the most reasonable answer.
I got it. I figured it out. Melendez is irritating the hell out of me because…………the Royals are just giving him the job everyday regardless of what happens. I just want to be past the “here’s the job regardless of anything that happens”. He isn’t earning a spot. The results aren’t there. Get your AB’s in AAA and go earn the job back. Its just a never ending cycle till they get more talent.
I don't think that's what they're doing though. I think they have a talented young player who showed a lot of positive signs offensively and they're hoping he can work through them.
I'll try to make this the first and last time I do any comparisons to other media, but this post and the sports editorial (I guess an editorial - not sure what else to call it) in the Star about the poor draft history in the bonus pool could not be more different ... and I mean that in a very complimentary way to your observations.
First, as to the Star piece: Yes, the Royals have drafted poorly in the past. That observation by itself, at least as it correlates to expected vs actual success on the field, is worth making, in large part bc of baseball's inane salary cap-less approach. And so as far as it goes I suppose the Star piece made an ok point. But to mush together ancient draft history w/ this year's big league club performance, and to provide no insight or context as to what is actually going on right now in the Royals' farm system, and to overall end w/ the incredibly obvious and non-newsworthy observation that the Royals need to do a good job in this draft -- I found it incredibly irritating (and only exacerbated by the completely inane comments on the Star's website). The cherry on top was that the pic with the article was a big shot of Q sitting at the table during his opening press conference, as if he was/is the problem!! And he had nothing to do with the draft history the entire article discussed!!! Complete and totally irresponsible journalistic (should have put that word in quotes) lunacy (I may be slightly overreacting, but it really is/was ridiculous).
But then came right off of reading that to reading this -- and not to be overly dramatic, but it was like washing off a thick layer of grit. Something actually intelligent, about where the club is right now, and what's actually going on with this on field management and this GM leadership, and which doesn't subliminally throw Q under the bus for things he literally had nothing to do with. So kudos to you, thanks for the palette cleanser, should have known to read you first and skipped whatever the Star had to say. And as noted, promise to avoid future comparisons. Happy Friday!
I hadn't read the article. Went to read it to come back to respond to this. First of all, nobody is beyond criticism, but Sam is an outstanding writer and I didn't really take any issue with anything he said. He's also a friend, for whatever that's worth, but I think he laid out the failures of the past quite well while also making a point that we don't know what some of the most recent drafts might do to change the thought. It was negative, but part of the reason the Royals are where they are is because they've either drafted or developed poorly (or both!). I tend to think it's development because there haven't been a lot of draft picks that people were scratching their heads over (though there are some) and I believe they've done a lot to change that development over the last few years.
Now, I do think The Star is generally pretty awful and the photograph choice (not Sam's, by the way) is pretty ridiculous. Slap Dayton Moore's face on that bad boy and call it good.
I would just say that reading Sam McDowell will make you smarter in the long run, so don't give up on him. Maybe don't look at the pictures they choose!
But definitely always read Inside the Crown first! And thank you for reading, subscribing and commenting!
I hear you... the pic was a terrible choice, probably colored the reading. And I won't give up reading him, just bc in these days we're all looking for some bit of news that might suggest a brighter future / reason for hope. Appreciate the rational response, ha ha.
As Salvy has aged, he comes back in generally high form when he has time off. The 2021 season is a great example after he had 2019 off & 2020 was shortened. I think they have to give him time off for him to be as useful as possible in the future. Especially when we get Vinnie back, if he comes back to his pre-injury production.
I completely agree. Salvy thrives with time off. Even a couple of days. And right now, he clearly needs more than that because off days aren't doing the trick.
Question: we currently don’t have any hitters in our OF that look like they’ll be 20 HR guys. Maybe MJ, maybe. Should we be looking for someone in the OF with at least average defense and consistent pop?
They should be looking for consistent pop at a lot of spots. Outside of Salvy, Witt and Vinnie, they don't have any anywhere. I like Michael Massey, for example, but if they could find a 20-homer second baseman, I'd have no problem with moving on there. That's not a great example because he's had a rough year, but you get the idea.
Typically, the power guys do come from lower on the defensive spectrum, but I also think it doesn't really matter where the power comes from as long as the power comes from somewhere.
Actually, If they can get Wallace to continue hitting. Moving Garcia to 2nd and sliding in Wallace at third. The infield comes together quickly with Witt and Vinnie in the other spots. I can see the infield coming together without squinting too hard. It may not be plan A…but even if that is plan B…that’s ok assuming they keep Garcia around.
Yeah, I can see it pretty easily. That's what's so weird about this team. The infield is easy to see. The outfield is a little harder, but you can see a path. The pitching is obviously the problem, but the arrow is at least pointing up in the minors and there is plenty available this winter. And yet, here they sit at 25-63. Weird juxtaposition.
Agreed, outfield I can see a path…it’s getting fainter…but still visible. Pitching…woof. I actually, silly me…cause I was a believer before the season…believe they have enough bullpen pieces even after moving some of these guys (ie, Will Klein, I’ll buy Sandlin) to be dangerous. I don’t see a path on the starting side though like you mentioned. I mean, sure….a path if every single thing goes right and nobody gets hurt…ok. But keep throwing arms at it I guess.
I hit a wall last night. It wasn’t their worst game, but for me it was just abysmal. Hitters flailing , pitchers failing, and fans railing. I’ve been patient and understanding of the need for backing off expectations. I’ve not gone berserk about the win total, or the pitching, or the defense, or the lack of OBP, or the lack of hitting. But goddamnit!
Does anyone in this FO actually scout their own players? We should know our own players better than any other team’s players. The FO should know what position players can play before they get to the bigs. The FO should not promote pitchers that can’t throw strikes. The FO should not promote hitters that don’t know the strike zone and don’t have plate discipline. And the FO should not draft prep pitchers because they are the least likely to make it to the show. I’m not pissed at the players, I’m pissed at the responsible parties: DM’s FO and now JJ and his very nearly the same FO.
On Charles and his "unorthodox" swing. I spent some time just going over a gif of one of his recent hits (over and over). To me, the swing is fine thru the zone. It's his finish, probably due to his extremely long levers and body that makes it look different and awkward. He keeps his bat level thru the zone thru contact, and it doesn't matter much what happens after contact. Idk, we will see.
I just watched the Saturday game and was actually glad Freddie was in there. I feel kind of bad to feel that way but Freddie got 2 hits, hit the ball hard 2 more times and covered catcher very well. So, I agree with you that Salvy needs to take as much time as he needs to get his oomph back. Freddie is very capable of covering for him for a bit especially with the break starting after tomorrow’s game.
Do you think they’re making a point to give Garcia games at short lately? I’m sure it’s just a good opportunity to keep Witt Jr. In the lineup while not shifting him around in the field but I could see them doing it to show off Garcia’s ability at short. I agree that it’s extremely unlikely he’s traded but might as well try and tempt teams
I did consider that a little bit, but I really don't. I think they are making a much bigger effort this year to give players half days off. I mean we saw Waters DH last night. Bobby Witt Jr. wore down some last season and getting him off the field here and there is a good idea. Now, it could very well be an added benefit if some team wants to come and offer a ridiculous haul, but my guess is that's not why they're doing it.
Couple thoughts on the article today.
1. Charles. Glad to hear a legit prospect is climbing the ranks. Love that he young for his level. Not that it is the end all be all, but you see Miami throw out 20 year old starting pitchers every year it seems like so I know it’s possible. Lol. Here is where I want to see something different though. You mentioned unorthodox swing….dont love hearing that with Melendez struggling all year and his unorthodox swing. You mentioned he’s playing 3rd. Please, please, please, I beg you Royals….if Garcia or Wallace will be at third in two years. Move him while his helium is at his highest. I just want to see some of these decisions on where guys are going to play BEFORE they actually get to the show.
2. Mentioned it was a good draft last year minus the first round pick so far. Want to hear that but at the same time don’t if that makes sense. I want that whole department overhauled. Years of data overrule one draft. It needs to be done and I hope that fact doesn’t mean it doesn’t get changed.
3. I agree it’s not the right time trading some of the young guys. But at the same time……..will it ever be? I’m stuck because, they suck…..some pieces need to be moved but who? They will not get better next year by keeping the same pieces on the roster. It isn’t going to happen. Ok, they may get slightly better than this product but not better better to matter. So in general I 100% agree the timing doesn’t seem right to move them….but then I’m also like….it can’t just be Chapman and Barlow. CANT just be Chapman and Barlow.
4. I’ve heard high school arm in the draft at 8 or I saw a college catcher. My gosh….please that can’t be the pick.
I wouldn't be too surprised if Charles ends up in the outfield, honestly. I don't know much about his defense. But we'll see how they handle it.
As for the draft, people don't seem to want to hear it, but it was the first year with a new person running the draft. It's not Lonnie Goldberg anymore, it's Danny Ontiveros. They did change how they're doing things and, honestly, we still don't know anything because of how massive a role Dayton Moore played in everything.
As for it being the wrong time to trade some of these guys, the deadline is the wrong time. The offseason is fine. They need to. I hope they do. You just don't get the same value at the deadline for guys who aren't going to be on the front line of helping a team make a playoff push. They're not trading just Chapman and Barlow either.
I'm not going to speak in absolutes here, but I highly doubt they're drafting a high school pitcher at 8. And the college catcher you speak of is Kyle Teel, who I think would be an outstanding pick. He can really, really hit.
Ok, not just Chapman and Barlow…..but I guess I’m not expecting much for Olivares, Lopez, or maybe Isbel. I think in the end I was hoping for more with Chapman and Barlow so I’m coming away a little disappointed and the trading season isn’t even here yet….so that doesn’t make sense. We’ll see what they do. Really hoping for something creative.
I don’t know that anyone really wants to hear it…..but trading Melendez is going to make this team better. Just having Isbel and Waters manning those two spots makes this team better on the defensive side. No the offense isn’t going to play, but it’s not really now anyway. It’s not what the rest of the year is about and I know you think he is a piece that gets moved anyway. But I’m almost to the addition by subtraction part with him moving now. It’s official in my eyes. He needs a change of scenery.
You're right. The trade season isn't here yet. The market is basically silent because of the draft (still hate that move). There's just no value individually to being upset about something that hasn't even happened yet. We don't know what the return for Barlow will be. I haven't heard anything. About anyone!
I also disagree, in theory, with what you're saying about Melendez. Trading him doesn't make the team better. Figuring out how to get him back to what he was and then trading him absolutely does. Oh, and reaping the benefits of him until the trade as well. He is a 24-year old who absolutely dominated the highest levels of the minors as a 22-year old. It's not addition by subtraction to move him right now. It's front office malpractice to move him right now (assuming the return is what I think it would be at this moment). I know you're frustrated with him. I get it. He's very frustrating because the approach is just completely out the window and he needs to get right. I'd send him to AAA. There's no shame in that. But to move on now wastes years of resources and brings back pennies on the dollar in a move that'll still be there later if they can't figure out how to get him back right.
Ok, yes….trading Melendez now is a bit of an over-reaction. I think what maybe I’m getting at is something needs to happen. SOME…thing needs to change with what they are doing with him. AAA is the most reasonable answer.
I got it. I figured it out. Melendez is irritating the hell out of me because…………the Royals are just giving him the job everyday regardless of what happens. I just want to be past the “here’s the job regardless of anything that happens”. He isn’t earning a spot. The results aren’t there. Get your AB’s in AAA and go earn the job back. Its just a never ending cycle till they get more talent.
I don't think that's what they're doing though. I think they have a talented young player who showed a lot of positive signs offensively and they're hoping he can work through them.
I'll try to make this the first and last time I do any comparisons to other media, but this post and the sports editorial (I guess an editorial - not sure what else to call it) in the Star about the poor draft history in the bonus pool could not be more different ... and I mean that in a very complimentary way to your observations.
First, as to the Star piece: Yes, the Royals have drafted poorly in the past. That observation by itself, at least as it correlates to expected vs actual success on the field, is worth making, in large part bc of baseball's inane salary cap-less approach. And so as far as it goes I suppose the Star piece made an ok point. But to mush together ancient draft history w/ this year's big league club performance, and to provide no insight or context as to what is actually going on right now in the Royals' farm system, and to overall end w/ the incredibly obvious and non-newsworthy observation that the Royals need to do a good job in this draft -- I found it incredibly irritating (and only exacerbated by the completely inane comments on the Star's website). The cherry on top was that the pic with the article was a big shot of Q sitting at the table during his opening press conference, as if he was/is the problem!! And he had nothing to do with the draft history the entire article discussed!!! Complete and totally irresponsible journalistic (should have put that word in quotes) lunacy (I may be slightly overreacting, but it really is/was ridiculous).
But then came right off of reading that to reading this -- and not to be overly dramatic, but it was like washing off a thick layer of grit. Something actually intelligent, about where the club is right now, and what's actually going on with this on field management and this GM leadership, and which doesn't subliminally throw Q under the bus for things he literally had nothing to do with. So kudos to you, thanks for the palette cleanser, should have known to read you first and skipped whatever the Star had to say. And as noted, promise to avoid future comparisons. Happy Friday!
I hadn't read the article. Went to read it to come back to respond to this. First of all, nobody is beyond criticism, but Sam is an outstanding writer and I didn't really take any issue with anything he said. He's also a friend, for whatever that's worth, but I think he laid out the failures of the past quite well while also making a point that we don't know what some of the most recent drafts might do to change the thought. It was negative, but part of the reason the Royals are where they are is because they've either drafted or developed poorly (or both!). I tend to think it's development because there haven't been a lot of draft picks that people were scratching their heads over (though there are some) and I believe they've done a lot to change that development over the last few years.
Now, I do think The Star is generally pretty awful and the photograph choice (not Sam's, by the way) is pretty ridiculous. Slap Dayton Moore's face on that bad boy and call it good.
I would just say that reading Sam McDowell will make you smarter in the long run, so don't give up on him. Maybe don't look at the pictures they choose!
But definitely always read Inside the Crown first! And thank you for reading, subscribing and commenting!
I hear you... the pic was a terrible choice, probably colored the reading. And I won't give up reading him, just bc in these days we're all looking for some bit of news that might suggest a brighter future / reason for hope. Appreciate the rational response, ha ha.
Oh the picture is silly on that. I'm just saying that's not Sam picking it out.
I get that ... definitely not blaming Sam for that one. More a general shot at Star's editorial staff responsible for the choice.
As Salvy has aged, he comes back in generally high form when he has time off. The 2021 season is a great example after he had 2019 off & 2020 was shortened. I think they have to give him time off for him to be as useful as possible in the future. Especially when we get Vinnie back, if he comes back to his pre-injury production.
I completely agree. Salvy thrives with time off. Even a couple of days. And right now, he clearly needs more than that because off days aren't doing the trick.
Question: we currently don’t have any hitters in our OF that look like they’ll be 20 HR guys. Maybe MJ, maybe. Should we be looking for someone in the OF with at least average defense and consistent pop?
They should be looking for consistent pop at a lot of spots. Outside of Salvy, Witt and Vinnie, they don't have any anywhere. I like Michael Massey, for example, but if they could find a 20-homer second baseman, I'd have no problem with moving on there. That's not a great example because he's had a rough year, but you get the idea.
I guess traditionally I think of the corners, INF & OF as power guys, but that’s probably just old habits!! Yes, I’d take some pop anywhere
Typically, the power guys do come from lower on the defensive spectrum, but I also think it doesn't really matter where the power comes from as long as the power comes from somewhere.
Actually, If they can get Wallace to continue hitting. Moving Garcia to 2nd and sliding in Wallace at third. The infield comes together quickly with Witt and Vinnie in the other spots. I can see the infield coming together without squinting too hard. It may not be plan A…but even if that is plan B…that’s ok assuming they keep Garcia around.
Yeah, I can see it pretty easily. That's what's so weird about this team. The infield is easy to see. The outfield is a little harder, but you can see a path. The pitching is obviously the problem, but the arrow is at least pointing up in the minors and there is plenty available this winter. And yet, here they sit at 25-63. Weird juxtaposition.
Agreed, outfield I can see a path…it’s getting fainter…but still visible. Pitching…woof. I actually, silly me…cause I was a believer before the season…believe they have enough bullpen pieces even after moving some of these guys (ie, Will Klein, I’ll buy Sandlin) to be dangerous. I don’t see a path on the starting side though like you mentioned. I mean, sure….a path if every single thing goes right and nobody gets hurt…ok. But keep throwing arms at it I guess.
I hit a wall last night. It wasn’t their worst game, but for me it was just abysmal. Hitters flailing , pitchers failing, and fans railing. I’ve been patient and understanding of the need for backing off expectations. I’ve not gone berserk about the win total, or the pitching, or the defense, or the lack of OBP, or the lack of hitting. But goddamnit!
Does anyone in this FO actually scout their own players? We should know our own players better than any other team’s players. The FO should know what position players can play before they get to the bigs. The FO should not promote pitchers that can’t throw strikes. The FO should not promote hitters that don’t know the strike zone and don’t have plate discipline. And the FO should not draft prep pitchers because they are the least likely to make it to the show. I’m not pissed at the players, I’m pissed at the responsible parties: DM’s FO and now JJ and his very nearly the same FO.
On Charles and his "unorthodox" swing. I spent some time just going over a gif of one of his recent hits (over and over). To me, the swing is fine thru the zone. It's his finish, probably due to his extremely long levers and body that makes it look different and awkward. He keeps his bat level thru the zone thru contact, and it doesn't matter much what happens after contact. Idk, we will see.
I do think he's cleaned it up a little bit. There's still a lot going on, but he is cleaner through contact than he used to be.
I just watched the Saturday game and was actually glad Freddie was in there. I feel kind of bad to feel that way but Freddie got 2 hits, hit the ball hard 2 more times and covered catcher very well. So, I agree with you that Salvy needs to take as much time as he needs to get his oomph back. Freddie is very capable of covering for him for a bit especially with the break starting after tomorrow’s game.