Agree on most but would note, after following the pundits ever since Whit came up, that maybe they are finally right about him being over the hill, an idea that's been constant at RR and others for five years or so. Or maybe he isn't. My guess is he's trying too hard to carry the team, something we would expect from a veteran with a solid track record. I expect him to get back to his "normal".
My suggestion for the team is to bench Mondi, put Nicky at SS and Whit back at 2B where he belongs, and use Oli and Isbel in RF. I'ld probably also release Santana at this point, send Witt to Omaha, and see if Melendez can handle 3rd. Royals can't afford another bad year. Players need to be held accountable for their performance and need to earn a spot on the field.
Looks similar to Witt's. Might as well give him a shot at it as he is also the future. Or you could put Dozier at 3rd. I like MJ just to get his feet wet at this point.
Very pleased with the relief pitching…..starting pitching has been ok. Offense…..It will get better but how much better I’m a little concerned about. Not that they have to be great….but with an offense in the lower end of the spectrum those 10 game losing streaks that kill your season are still very much in play.
Oh absolutely still in play. And while there is almost guaranteed improvement from these four (or at least the four spots in the lineup if they get replaced), there is also almost guaranteed regression from at least one of the guys hitting well. Still, I can't imagine they're going to score the fewest runs per game of any team in a long time. That's the saving grace, I guess.
Funny thing is that I originally had the bat a lot more toward the middle on him. Then I started thinking about it as I was writing the others and realized there is nothing about what he's done to give hope other than the fact that he'll have a huge week or two at some point like he always does.
I imagine Mondesi's getting frustrated, and I don't blame him. Clearly making an effort to be more disciplined at the plate, but now he may have gone too far in that direction. I don't know how anybody hits well, ever.
Man, you said it. I love Pitching Ninja, but it just makes me feel bad for hitters. Not only are the pitchers better than ever, but now the ball isn't even carrying. Just a disaster, and I think Mondesi, more than most, has trouble escaping his head during slumps.
I expected Bobby to struggle and look lost at times, but I just really want him to win that rookie year. Which I understand, it's no easy task, but it would just be exciting and give people reason to talk about the Royals. When was the last time, if ever, the Royals had a ROY? Thank you for a great article!
I've seen enough, not based on just 14 games but in many cases since last year's All-Star break.
Mondesi to the bench, where he could be actually useful as an elite defender and pinch runner, but he just has too much swing and miss to tap into his tools and potential. Nicky slides to SS and leads off. Whit is 2B and 2nd. Cut O'Hearn. Santana becomes a bench bat, where his switch hitting ability, plate discipline and occasional power would play OK. Dozier plays 1B most days. Isbel comes up and plays CF or RF everyday with Olivares and MAT as platoon partners. Vinnie comes up as DH most days and plays some 1B.
I get that the offense has been ugly, but it's just 14 games. Trying to find meaning in 14 games' worth of stats means you may be relying on more noise than signal.
Very interesting. One of my very unscientific theories is that they don’t gel as a team yet. My feeling about Mondesi, as much as I root for him is that the team doesn’t feel it can trust him to be there all year. I think Whit and Witt will improve. If they don’t, there’s something going on behind the scenes…that’s my other unscientific thought… bad breakups, unresolved anger at management for the lockout…
I wouldn't think there's much to do with the lockout in terms of resentment, but it is important to remember that these are people and I don't think we do that nearly enough when watching sports. A lot can be going on behind the scenes that impacts their play. Doesn't make it any more palatable to watch, but I think it's important to at least keep in mind.
David, since your post doesn't fit with my own personal narrative, I will discard everything you wrote.
(Kidding - as usual, very well written and well thought out.)
Haha, it's all about your expectation before the season!
I probably should have been a little more on the fact side with Santana, but the batted ball numbers are making me think a little more about him.
Agree on most but would note, after following the pundits ever since Whit came up, that maybe they are finally right about him being over the hill, an idea that's been constant at RR and others for five years or so. Or maybe he isn't. My guess is he's trying too hard to carry the team, something we would expect from a veteran with a solid track record. I expect him to get back to his "normal".
My suggestion for the team is to bench Mondi, put Nicky at SS and Whit back at 2B where he belongs, and use Oli and Isbel in RF. I'ld probably also release Santana at this point, send Witt to Omaha, and see if Melendez can handle 3rd. Royals can't afford another bad year. Players need to be held accountable for their performance and need to earn a spot on the field.
Check M.J.'s numbers so far in Omaha and let us know if you're still ready to have him replace BWJr.
Looks similar to Witt's. Might as well give him a shot at it as he is also the future. Or you could put Dozier at 3rd. I like MJ just to get his feet wet at this point.
Very pleased with the relief pitching…..starting pitching has been ok. Offense…..It will get better but how much better I’m a little concerned about. Not that they have to be great….but with an offense in the lower end of the spectrum those 10 game losing streaks that kill your season are still very much in play.
Oh absolutely still in play. And while there is almost guaranteed improvement from these four (or at least the four spots in the lineup if they get replaced), there is also almost guaranteed regression from at least one of the guys hitting well. Still, I can't imagine they're going to score the fewest runs per game of any team in a long time. That's the saving grace, I guess.
You were right on Mondesi David. That is ugly. Thanks for putting it for all to see.
Funny thing is that I originally had the bat a lot more toward the middle on him. Then I started thinking about it as I was writing the others and realized there is nothing about what he's done to give hope other than the fact that he'll have a huge week or two at some point like he always does.
Yea he has always been very streaky.
I imagine Mondesi's getting frustrated, and I don't blame him. Clearly making an effort to be more disciplined at the plate, but now he may have gone too far in that direction. I don't know how anybody hits well, ever.
Man, you said it. I love Pitching Ninja, but it just makes me feel bad for hitters. Not only are the pitchers better than ever, but now the ball isn't even carrying. Just a disaster, and I think Mondesi, more than most, has trouble escaping his head during slumps.
I expected Bobby to struggle and look lost at times, but I just really want him to win that rookie year. Which I understand, it's no easy task, but it would just be exciting and give people reason to talk about the Royals. When was the last time, if ever, the Royals had a ROY? Thank you for a great article!
Royals have won ROY 4 times: Lou Piniella, Bob Hamelin, Carlos Beltran, and Angel Berroa.
I've seen enough, not based on just 14 games but in many cases since last year's All-Star break.
Mondesi to the bench, where he could be actually useful as an elite defender and pinch runner, but he just has too much swing and miss to tap into his tools and potential. Nicky slides to SS and leads off. Whit is 2B and 2nd. Cut O'Hearn. Santana becomes a bench bat, where his switch hitting ability, plate discipline and occasional power would play OK. Dozier plays 1B most days. Isbel comes up and plays CF or RF everyday with Olivares and MAT as platoon partners. Vinnie comes up as DH most days and plays some 1B.
I don't have any issue with any of this. All good thoughts.
I get that the offense has been ugly, but it's just 14 games. Trying to find meaning in 14 games' worth of stats means you may be relying on more noise than signal.
That's exactly what I was trying to decipher here.
Very interesting. One of my very unscientific theories is that they don’t gel as a team yet. My feeling about Mondesi, as much as I root for him is that the team doesn’t feel it can trust him to be there all year. I think Whit and Witt will improve. If they don’t, there’s something going on behind the scenes…that’s my other unscientific thought… bad breakups, unresolved anger at management for the lockout…
I wouldn't think there's much to do with the lockout in terms of resentment, but it is important to remember that these are people and I don't think we do that nearly enough when watching sports. A lot can be going on behind the scenes that impacts their play. Doesn't make it any more palatable to watch, but I think it's important to at least keep in mind.