They've got to add Santana, Isbell and Alberto to the 40, Davis is showing as being added, so they are at 39. If they keep Brentz, that's three guys that will have to be DFAd. One is Blewitt, perhaps they take a chance that Newberry will clear waivers. Maybe Gutierrez since it looks like Rivera has leapfrogged him. And I think OHearn is probably gone as well, although they can always play Soler or Whit in RF if they want to sit Isbel against tough lefties- so I guess it just comes down to who they like better. My preference is McBroom. That spot on the roster won't get many AB and McBroom has shown he can pinch hit.
Yeah.... and I like O'Hearn. He is a guy that has the potential to go somewhere and figure things out and be a valuable hitter. McBroom has more positional versatility, better PH track record and, while he doesn't have the quarter season stretch like O'Hearn did at the major league level, has better minor league numbers.
And, depending on the lineup that day, Alberto could do that as they've been working him in the outfield as well.
Matheny seems to covet position versatility and having a lot of options to move around on the chess board. Unfortunately for O'Hearn he's pretty limited.
I do agree with you that he could become a decent hitter; but in terms of fielding the team that makes the most sense, it's McBroom.
Now that I've said that I'm sure O'Hearn will get the slot lol.
That's exactly why I'm so unsure about Brentz. as is, they're at 39. Tillo will go on the 60-day, so that's two open spots for Santana, Alberto and Isbel, meaning they still need to clear one. They've got enough options, and I've been thinking the same thing about Rivera passing Gutierrez, but they do still love their inventory, so I could see them going with Lovelady and keeping Brentz in the organization ready to go.
Yeah, Lovelady didn't make the decision easy. He pitched pretty well, and Brentz looked great while still walking 5 per 9 innings instead of his usual 6.5..... I'm no pitching coach. Maybe they've made adjustments with Brentz, but its hard for anyone to be successful even when you throw 100 mph, when you walk 2/3rds of a guy per inning.
It definitely leads to more variance, but it's really no different than Staumont. Which maybe makes the case against Brentz having multiple guys like that in the bullpen? I really don't know.
Josh has averaged just over 5 BB/9. He or Brentz can get away with that when you KO 13 per 9 like Josh did in 2020 or like Brentz has done in Spring Training. Staumont's 1.50 KO/BB ratio in 19 wasn't sustainable. It improved to 2.31 in 20.We shall see who the real Jake Brentz is. 100 mph LH pitchers don't grow on trees. Good choices when the bottom of the bullpen is a guy who had one of the best three year runs as a reliever in MLB history, or a guy who has 150 career wins who is still throwing 95 with a nasty slider, or a 100mph lefty, or a former top reliever prospect.
Yep, kind of crazy the depth they've built. And we haven't even mentioned the prospects who could easily break in out of the bullpen. One thing I'm not worried about with this team is finding arms if any on the roster don't work out.
What a difference a year makes! The fact that we don't have to surrender outs and keep Lopez in the lineup tells us something about this year's lineup vs. last year.
I don't want to come across as bashing on Lopez; the kid's a major leaguer and a million times better ball player than I ever was. But the reality is what the reality is - he's struggling and being sent down allows him a chance to go get it corrected everyday. I'm excited for him.
I'm also excited for the Blues Brothers we have in terms of getting the band back together; Santana, Holland, Davis and Dyson. DM has had a lot of swing and misses, but he has pulled some rabbits out of the hat in terms of reclamation projects and camp reports look good on Santana and Davis. As for Dyson; well that's what speed do. He has a pretty defined role and we all know he can do it well.
I'm interested as to why you say you'd be okay with O'Hearn in place of McBroom?
For my money McBroom over O'Hearn is a no brainer. With Lopez going down then Whit pretty much has to be at second, meaning we need someone with more position versatility which is McBroom all day long. He also has demonstrated pop off the bench and IMO has a better chance to become an everyday big leaguer than O'Hearn.
It's definitely a nice change. I feel...good...about this lineup from top to bottom. As far as O'Hearn vs. McBroom, I actually think O'Hearn is better in the outfield, but it's not really huge praise or anything. I honestly could see that decision going either way.
I just pulled it up - they do both have 4 HRs this spring, but agreed, .195 isn't going to get it done.
And yes, I haven't been this excited for a year of Royals baseball for a while now. It's an intriguing year - lots of new pieces. I kind of feel that this team is like an autostereogram poster. I like what I see in 1D, but I think they're going to show us something more the longer we stare at them. I just have a feeling about this team...
I believe there’s no doubt this team will score runs. The bullpen has a chance to be exceptional if it stays healthy. The defense at best will be great and at worst will be an average MLB defense. With strong D up the middle (Salvy, Whit, Mondi, Taylor) I tend to lean towards great.
My question is with the starting staff. My personal belief would be to switch Duffy and Junis, but it’s not a deal breaker.
Something I think is overlooked is the depth of potential starters. Keller, Minor, Singer, Duffy, Junis and Santana on the opening day roster with Bubic, Kowar, Lynch, Lacy all waiting in the wings is plenty. All baseball people expect to have many injuries to starters because of the lack of innings thrown in the last two years. KC may lack an All Star game level guy, but I believe they can make it up with quality depth.
I figure the D will be above average for the reasons you stated. Personally, I've never been sold on Duffy and would love to see one of the young guns rise up and make him expendable for a strong bat to help restock the farm.
Great point on the depth of starters and the wear of the season. And just look at all those names that have high-end potential and compare it to years past. It's definitely a better time to be a Royals fan than it has been in a while.
They've got to add Santana, Isbell and Alberto to the 40, Davis is showing as being added, so they are at 39. If they keep Brentz, that's three guys that will have to be DFAd. One is Blewitt, perhaps they take a chance that Newberry will clear waivers. Maybe Gutierrez since it looks like Rivera has leapfrogged him. And I think OHearn is probably gone as well, although they can always play Soler or Whit in RF if they want to sit Isbel against tough lefties- so I guess it just comes down to who they like better. My preference is McBroom. That spot on the roster won't get many AB and McBroom has shown he can pinch hit.
Agreed. I can't even imagine a case for O'Hearn over McBroom unless I'm just missing something.
Yeah.... and I like O'Hearn. He is a guy that has the potential to go somewhere and figure things out and be a valuable hitter. McBroom has more positional versatility, better PH track record and, while he doesn't have the quarter season stretch like O'Hearn did at the major league level, has better minor league numbers.
The only spot left on the roster is to pinch hit for Isbel against LHP.
And, depending on the lineup that day, Alberto could do that as they've been working him in the outfield as well.
Matheny seems to covet position versatility and having a lot of options to move around on the chess board. Unfortunately for O'Hearn he's pretty limited.
I do agree with you that he could become a decent hitter; but in terms of fielding the team that makes the most sense, it's McBroom.
Now that I've said that I'm sure O'Hearn will get the slot lol.
Lol, IDK, most of their moves have made sense lately. Long odds that O'Hearn makes it.
That's exactly why I'm so unsure about Brentz. as is, they're at 39. Tillo will go on the 60-day, so that's two open spots for Santana, Alberto and Isbel, meaning they still need to clear one. They've got enough options, and I've been thinking the same thing about Rivera passing Gutierrez, but they do still love their inventory, so I could see them going with Lovelady and keeping Brentz in the organization ready to go.
Yeah, Lovelady didn't make the decision easy. He pitched pretty well, and Brentz looked great while still walking 5 per 9 innings instead of his usual 6.5..... I'm no pitching coach. Maybe they've made adjustments with Brentz, but its hard for anyone to be successful even when you throw 100 mph, when you walk 2/3rds of a guy per inning.
It definitely leads to more variance, but it's really no different than Staumont. Which maybe makes the case against Brentz having multiple guys like that in the bullpen? I really don't know.
Josh has averaged just over 5 BB/9. He or Brentz can get away with that when you KO 13 per 9 like Josh did in 2020 or like Brentz has done in Spring Training. Staumont's 1.50 KO/BB ratio in 19 wasn't sustainable. It improved to 2.31 in 20.We shall see who the real Jake Brentz is. 100 mph LH pitchers don't grow on trees. Good choices when the bottom of the bullpen is a guy who had one of the best three year runs as a reliever in MLB history, or a guy who has 150 career wins who is still throwing 95 with a nasty slider, or a 100mph lefty, or a former top reliever prospect.
Yep, kind of crazy the depth they've built. And we haven't even mentioned the prospects who could easily break in out of the bullpen. One thing I'm not worried about with this team is finding arms if any on the roster don't work out.
What a difference a year makes! The fact that we don't have to surrender outs and keep Lopez in the lineup tells us something about this year's lineup vs. last year.
I don't want to come across as bashing on Lopez; the kid's a major leaguer and a million times better ball player than I ever was. But the reality is what the reality is - he's struggling and being sent down allows him a chance to go get it corrected everyday. I'm excited for him.
I'm also excited for the Blues Brothers we have in terms of getting the band back together; Santana, Holland, Davis and Dyson. DM has had a lot of swing and misses, but he has pulled some rabbits out of the hat in terms of reclamation projects and camp reports look good on Santana and Davis. As for Dyson; well that's what speed do. He has a pretty defined role and we all know he can do it well.
I'm interested as to why you say you'd be okay with O'Hearn in place of McBroom?
For my money McBroom over O'Hearn is a no brainer. With Lopez going down then Whit pretty much has to be at second, meaning we need someone with more position versatility which is McBroom all day long. He also has demonstrated pop off the bench and IMO has a better chance to become an everyday big leaguer than O'Hearn.
It's definitely a nice change. I feel...good...about this lineup from top to bottom. As far as O'Hearn vs. McBroom, I actually think O'Hearn is better in the outfield, but it's not really huge praise or anything. I honestly could see that decision going either way.
Did you see the oppo knock yesterday?
That’s why O’Hearn has a shot.
I do, however, think it’s gonna be McBroom.
Having said that, if this is the biggest question mark this team has, it’s gonna be a fun year!!!
I just pulled it up - they do both have 4 HRs this spring, but agreed, .195 isn't going to get it done.
And yes, I haven't been this excited for a year of Royals baseball for a while now. It's an intriguing year - lots of new pieces. I kind of feel that this team is like an autostereogram poster. I like what I see in 1D, but I think they're going to show us something more the longer we stare at them. I just have a feeling about this team...
I believe there’s no doubt this team will score runs. The bullpen has a chance to be exceptional if it stays healthy. The defense at best will be great and at worst will be an average MLB defense. With strong D up the middle (Salvy, Whit, Mondi, Taylor) I tend to lean towards great.
My question is with the starting staff. My personal belief would be to switch Duffy and Junis, but it’s not a deal breaker.
Something I think is overlooked is the depth of potential starters. Keller, Minor, Singer, Duffy, Junis and Santana on the opening day roster with Bubic, Kowar, Lynch, Lacy all waiting in the wings is plenty. All baseball people expect to have many injuries to starters because of the lack of innings thrown in the last two years. KC may lack an All Star game level guy, but I believe they can make it up with quality depth.
I figure the D will be above average for the reasons you stated. Personally, I've never been sold on Duffy and would love to see one of the young guns rise up and make him expendable for a strong bat to help restock the farm.
Great point on the depth of starters and the wear of the season. And just look at all those names that have high-end potential and compare it to years past. It's definitely a better time to be a Royals fan than it has been in a while.
If you subtract McBroom and another pitcher to the bullpen it seems right