42 Comments

I feel like this season will be a lot like the 2022 orioles

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by David Lesky

I agree that this spring IS fun and am old enough to remember other good springs only to see Royals stink once the season actually mean anything, but I'm hoping that this different bunch of coaches can make a real difference. Am wishing this group don't remember the past smelly teams and carve out their own identity. You've got me checking the pitchers walks and strikeout as the 1st and most important thing when following them online, and they've been terrific!

My hope is for a really warm spring weather in KC.

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by David Lesky

Enjoyable read. I believe this team will be fun to watch. Even if they're mediocre, they don't necessarily accept it which makes for some excitement.

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by David Lesky

Good observations. I believe the hitting improvement is real, just not the spring training line. I think we could be an above average offense with Reyes (think Kendrys Morales) and if the pitching could be just average, then we could get to 500. Of course, I've been a fan since 69 and I may still see through Royals tinted glasses.

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by David Lesky

Good column and you still managed not to predict how the Royals season will go. Although you seem to lean toward the Royals finishing under .500 there is hope. I think if KC stuggles out of the gate it will be a long season. If the Royals win early and gain some confidence l believe they could do well.

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by David Lesky

You are in the unfortunate spot of writing about spring training and walking the line of being positive and realistic. I firmly side on the side of prove it during the regular season. I’m not going to poop on everything positive…I think we’ve just seen this dance from the Royals before. I’m more positive on the Royals now than I was three weeks ago. So its not like it spring doesn’t mean something. I think I’m over the Vegas number as well right now by at least a margin of a couple games. 73 wins seems right to me. I think pitching will be better, I think the offense will be ok. I don’t see them being above .500 because I don’t see the depth in any area. I think you pointed it out at one point but you wouldn’t expect a 95 loss team to have depth…so I get it. But more than what Witt, and Vinny, and Singer, Lynch can be. Injuries will be a problem for this team. They are younger….so you would think it wouldn’t quite as bad an issue…but when you see Waters go down and the next best thing to do is sign JBJ as insurance…..ehhh. Not a .500 team yet…but I think closer than last year with new staff. If Singer goes down, Houston…we have a problem. Lol

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by David Lesky

Very enjoyable column. Thank you. I have only one substantive thought to add: it makes zero sense to me to have Hunter Dozier start at 3rd and send Mikail Garcia to the minors. I think it is pretty clear Garcia will hit at least as well as Dozier. (Not a super high bar.) And its blindingly obvious he will be a much better defensive 3rd baseman. Dozier is yet another incarnation of the sunk cost fallacy that the Royals still maybe don't quite understand. (Last great example: Carlos Santana). It is past time to move on.

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by David Lesky

Great post David. "Doesnt count" definitely is not the same as "doesnt matter" when it comes to Spring Training. Still, I was surprised to see such a strong a correlation between ST winning pct vs regular season, probably from being misled by the Royals track record specifically. Many ST games are decided by non regular starters. However this still would indicate the overall ST organizational roster is stronger (my MiLB players are better than yours...). To that point, the team you mentioned, the 16 Twins, was well above .500 for 2017-2020. Perhaps the players winning games in the spring of 16 were the ones leading to wins in 17-20? Idk, but to paraphrase George Brett from the game the other day, I prefer winning to losing in ST.

100% agree on Garcia. Too few ABs above A level to rush him. There are 4 spots now where any sort of injury could open up a spot for him on the MLB roster. Odds of that occurring are unfortunately good. Let him (hopefully) tear it up at AAA for a few months until something opens up. If I'm the Royals GM, I'm playing him everyday at Omaha at either SS 3B 2B or CF.

The only way the Royals exceed .500 is if nearly all of their hitters reach their potential. The SP isn't strong enough. If you realistically compare the Royal's rotation to the best rotations in the AL...... A lot of things have to come together for them to be better than .500.

But it's Spring Training and right now the Royals have the best ST record and are tied for the best regular season record in baseball. Hope springs eternal. Go Royals!

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by David Lesky

It's really exciting to see them playing this good. I just hope Pratto is still part of their plans. He's not even being discussed anymore. Probably best defense guy this organization has. With real power. He should be on this roster. With defense like that, you can live with the strike outs. You probably disagree but the guy cam save multiple games at first and win some just his glove alone. Also on a side note, if Loftin, Gentry, Garcia, Pratto plus the catcher( forgot his name) all end up at Omaha together. That's a hell of a squad also.

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by David Lesky

Excellent insight as always! I am one who believes that confidence is contagious. And that's what I see. Players feeding off each other's success. What could Oliveras do if healthy for a year? Can Vinnie continue on last year's success? If MJ had his numbers, will he become a trade target? Would Bobby and the team be receptive to a move to third got Garcia? I know there are a lot of IF questions, but with the results, even in small sample size, continue, this is going to be a fun team to watch in future years!

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I’ve been hunting news on Michael Massey’s status after the injury at bat Wednesday. Hopefully the lack of means he just had a bad bruise and nothing broken.

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I know it’s only spring training but I’m absolutely loving what they’re doing. I really believe this team has a shot to be better than expected. Great column!

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by David Lesky

I’d like to see Garcia start at Omaha and split time between SS and CF. Maybe more at SS but a couple starts a week in CF. Both spots are question marks at the moment, and depending on how it goes it would be good to have him ready and able whenever he truly shows he’s ready.

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If BWJ is going to play SS until he proves he can't, I want Garcia playing daily at 3B and CF in spring training. If he doesn't make the opening day roster, I want him playing SS, 3B, and CF in the minors and being ready to be the first position player call up in the face of an injury. At 23, I want to see if he is part of our future regardless of position.

If he makes the opening day roster, I think he should be our every day 9 hitter and set the table for the top of the order. Low stress, prove it and get rewarded with batting higher.

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Mar 10, 2023Liked by David Lesky

Optimism with a bit of pessimism. Realism is what I call it.

I'm an almost 60 year old fan that likes nothing more than to sit down and listen to a Royals game. I occasionally get to watch a game (since I have lived in Florida for more than 30 years) but mostly just like to sit and listen to the Royals. I remember when the stadiums were being built when I was a kid and I've been a fan ever since.

I enjoy that stats side of things and appreciate the Inside the Crown columns that give me things to think about but no matter whether it's spring training or the regular season, I'll never give up my loyalty to the Royals. They've been anywhere from good, to bad, to mediocre in my life but they will always be a part of my life.

Here's to 2023 a a (hopefully) better version of the Royals.

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