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.
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.
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.
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…
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.)
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.
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.
You were right on Mondesi David. That is ugly. Thanks for putting it for all to see.
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.
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…