Nice recap. Glad for the guys yesterday. I tried really hard to catch a condensed game and check the highlights. Honestly though……the group they played last night probably plays .350-.400 ball over an extended stretch. But that’s ok…it was fun. Two things I noticed from box score/highlights.
1. Kowar…..does he not remind you of Devin Williams with the change up out of the pen when it is going right? Keep him in the pen. Just let him have some success if that is where it is.
2. Pratto….I don’t know enough about him…but is he basically Joey Gallo Jr? 3k’s and did he even make contact with a pitch last night? Not a knock…just the little I saw make me hope he’s a trade candidate compared to some AB’s I’ve seen with Vinny. First game….I get it. But there will be ALOT of K’s there.
3. How can you not write about the Royals holding down the Blue Jays to 1 run with a bunch of young dudes with Cal Eldred IS NOT THERE? Can’t be coincidence.
Also, today is about the most confident I’ve felt that the Royals are going to make changes here. I could actually see it coming during the all-star break potentially. I don’t think this vaccine thing is Matheny’s fault…..but its another issue within the clubhouse that is only going to get resolved when Merrifield, Benny, and MAT are moved here in the next few weeks. With everything that has gone on….I don’t think Matheny survives this…be at the break or after the season and in turn Eldred will be gone as well. I’ve held out the belief that the royals are too stubborn but for some reason this last couple days has made me truly believe they are making a change here. Losing is bad….but this is bad PR/lost clubhouse territory that gets people to just react differently.
I agree that this makes changes more likely from some things that have made the rounds in rumors. And I don’t *think* it’ll be on Monday, but I don’t know it won’t. I honestly question whether Whit can play another game for this team based on some reaction from people who matter.
On Kowar, I don’t know about Williams, but what changeup is nasty when it’s good. Actually, that’s not even fair. His changeup is generally good when his fastball is in the zone and located well.
On Pratto, he’s going to strike out but most of the time it’s because he takes too many pitches and gets to two strikes but then doesn’t have the same hit tool as someone like Vinnie. But I’m willing to bet when he sees pitches he’s seen before (and there’s no way he’s seen a splitter like Gausman’s), it’ll look different with him.
I decided not to focus much on the guys who aren’t there but I did tweet about it. Also, fair is fair and they’d allowed 14 runs in their last five games before this WITH him.
Great win last night. I was traveling and didn't get to watch last night. Almost feels like I watched though after reading your recap. Probably watch this afternoon when I get home, as I have it taped. If they have to simply cut him, I don't see any way Merrifield continues on with this team. I don't see anyone offering much in a trade package. Proof of why you are better off saying nothing on a subject till you are sure of what you are going to say. Once you have said something. It's hard to take it back. Enjoyed all the discussion yesterday from all of you.
Yep, I’m sure there’s a way to do it, but it’s hard to see a path to fixing that relationship. I’m sure they could bring him back after the break and the team would deal with it, but I’m guessing he’s on a different team by the deadline.
If you were trying to get yourself moved….I couldn’t think of a better way than what Merrifield did. IDK, maybe he’s quietly been wanting to be moved for a bit now. But I still struggle to see how that wasn’t a purposeful answer with the time you had to prepare.
Also, at what point do you think Grienke realized the sh*t show he was walking back into this year after having spent time in the Dodgers and Astro’s organizations? I don’t think he was with Houston during the cheating scandal but got to think he’s SURE he could manage this team right now. Lol.
On the Whit front, I keep coming back to his answer coming when he absolutely knew he'd be asked about it for a long time. If that was off the top of his head, why didn't he prepare for it? And if it was prepared, don't back off now. Own it.
And yeah, Greinke. Though he's a different sort of guy so maybe he just wants to pitch in a big ballpark. He did just buy a house in KC, so who knows?
Zerpa attacks hitters, so some of that is him, but it’s also hard not to see a difference. My theory has long been that they aren’t prepared enough to feel comfortable attacking, so if they’re more prepared…well you get it.
I really like Zerpa. Maybe its just the mentality thing. To be completely fair….Toronto did smoke a bunch of balls last night just right at people. So the line could have been worse and the strikeouts needs to come up….but I do like how he attacks more than our other pitchers seem to. But small sample size.
I think against a different lineup, and like I said a different umpire, that game may have been even more impressive. But five innings and one run is five innings and one run.
I don't know if I tweeted this or texted it to someone, but this could end up being the biggest and most important thing to happen for the team in years. Maybe absolutely nothing happens and we're left wondering why not, but I think there are changes coming and probably big ones.
I agree. Players, coaches and culture. Sure doesn't seem like the majority of management, the players who went to Toronto, or the fans are happy or OK with their decision.
What'll be super interesting is if they win a couple more games this weekend and how loud the guys who are there get because they were quietly talking before the game and then got a little louder after with Lopez's comments after.
It can't be lost on management watching the joy and excitement in the dugout yesterday. These guys looked like a team pulling for each other. It was fun for them. and for those of us who watched or listened.
I totally agree. And it's not just about 26 guys who love each other, but it's hard to think they can just send back the eight (and eventually 10) and bring back all the other 10 and just call it a day and pretend like nothing happened.
I really wish I could believe 100% that what you said is true. But we know that if any executive is capable of ignoring the obvious, regardless of the consequences, it's Dayton Moore. He sometimes seems to specialize in "just call it a day and pretend like nothing happened."
Dayton has certainly said some of the right things about Whit and the situation in general. But that's the easy part. Anybody can say stuff.
Cheers for the Rookies. And hats off to the vaccinated veterans who made the trip. Boos and hisses for the 10 players and several coaches who didn't make the trip. I think it's time to really ramp up the efforts to trade Benintendi and Merrifield. They are the fulcrum that divides the team. Whit having the gaul to say he would change his mind if he got on a playoff contender. Benintendi just effectively cut his market for a trade in half, losing all the American League contenders. Both of these players are thinking of themselves first and the team a distant last. Try to trade Benintendi and if you can't, just bench him and start building for next year. Why let a soon to be departed left fielder steal development time from a young prospect. Same goes for the rapidly regressing Merrifield. Mr. Versatility can be replaced by Nate Eaton. Plays everywhere except pitcher or catcher.
I honestly don't think it changes Benitendi's trade value as much as that, especially if the Blue Jays continue to tumble. And they will trade him, no matter what, whether it's on Wednesday after the game or on August 2 right at the last minute. But the move to trade Whit has to go from "listening" to "he's gone once we get a decent offer."
Thanks David. I think you are right. Whit's stock has dropped this year and the idea of a decent offer may need to be readjusted. Hope it happens. There is no real urgency to trade Taylor as he could help next year, but a team needing great defense in CF should certainly be interested. Especially since he is hitting the best of his career.
Yeah I mean the time to Taylor is now and has been with his bat as good as it's been. The big issue with him (and Benintendi) is that while the Yankees only go to Toronto once more and it's likely after the season is decided, they still probably will get a lower offer from NY for either of them because of leverage. I think that's a bit less true on Benintendi because there are so many teams on him that if the Yankees think he's a missing piece, they'll go get him no matter what anybody says is true right now about their interest.
Analyzing one game beforehand can be very, very difficult because of the sheer randomness of baseball, but if Greinke has that new (old?) cutter working, he should be able to get through their lineup a couple of times with minimal damage, but his lack of velocity could end up being a problem against a lineup that should be better than it is. And Manoah is just really good and tough to square up. If I was betting, I'd bet against the Royals, but I don't bet on individual baseball games because it's a set up for losing lots of money.
Haha appreciate the advice! Have to say, love the blog. I’ve been reading it periodically throughout the season and I really appreciate the dedication! This has to be the most exciting series this season so far for me because of
A.)The streak the Royals are on in the past month
B.) The media attention on this team right now
C.) All the exciting prospects that got called up to the team for this series.
Things are starting to look up and your preseason record prediction/ future outlook is starting to look very slick!
Thanks for reading! I'm not holding my breath on the prediction. I had them at 79-83. They'd have to go 43-30 the rest of the way. Though I guess if they keep up their 19-16 pace over their last 35, they'd get kinda sorta close to that.
That game was interesting and exciting and fun. I'd kinda almost forgotten that was allowed.
I recall being quite impressed with Zerpa at the very end of last year. And as you mentioned it was his fearlessness that really jumped off the screen at me.
Of course it's way, way too soon to start drawing any conclusions. Being a baseball fan, naturally I've started drawing conclusions.
Jul 15, 2022·edited Jul 15, 2022Liked by David Lesky
I think it's safe to say that Greinke brings a very different energy to the mound, and to the game, than Zerpa did last night. I'm really curious to see how and if the kids respond to that!
It works the other way around too: it will be interesting to see if and what kind of energy the kids bring to the grizzled old veteran.
I want to thank you for all the insight you have shared via Inside the Crown. It is one of my first reads when I get to my email.
As to your comment about 'keeping it baseball'...I applaud your perspective. For me, baseball is there to help me not focus on all the stuff in the news. I will not get political but I do get tired of all the 'commentary' and really appreciate having a place to go and just focus on baseball and the team I have followed since that first game in 1969.
I was more than a little disappointed to not see Massey in the lineup Friday night. Of course with Matheny disappointing lineup construction is just part of the deal. I'd be at least half an idiot to expect anything else.
Yeah, I know. I just left it sitting right there on a tee for everyone to take their best shot....
This article from the Wichita Eagle at https://share.newsbreak.com/1g3pd60s makes a good case that Whit Merrifield owes the Royals absolutely nothing. I can't say that I disagree, having made many of the same points multiple times myself.
What the article fails to point out is that after this latest debacle, the Royals don't owe him much of anything either. At least that's how I see it.
Maybe he doesn’t owe the Royals anything, but if his teammates don’t think he’s for them, that’s the issue. It’s irrelevant if what he said was right, wrong or something in between.
It may be irrelevant to you, and maybe even to some or all of his teammates, although I doubt it.
But I suspect that it's not irrelevant to a significant percentage of fans - the folks without whom paychecks eventually start bouncing. Which means that it's probably relevant in John Sherman's eyes, as well.
I’m saying it’s irrelevant because the issue is entirely how it impacts his standing with the clubhouse and the team. Whether he’s right or wrong, if it pisses them off, it doesn’t matter.
Royals have traded Foster Griffin to Toronto for Some Dude. He has a 5.47 ERA, 1.443 WHIP. In 55IP this year he has 22BB and 47K. The good news is that he's only 20 years old. The bad news is that even that is a little old for A-ball, where he has spent this season.
Saturday after the third inning there was a camera shot of Lynch putting what appeared to be a latex surgical glove on his left hand. I'm guessing that has something to do with his blister problems but that's just a guess. Anybody better-informed about this than I am?
On a related note: the broadcasters noted that he was throwing "very few knuckle-curves" in that game. If I recall correctly that was one of the pitches thought to be contributing to that blister problem. If I had more confidence in Matheny or Eldred, I'd wonder if maybe they have him working on a more conventional curveball. (Obviously that would be a very difficult change to make in-season.) As it is, my guess is that he was simply told to throw it less.
Nice recap. Glad for the guys yesterday. I tried really hard to catch a condensed game and check the highlights. Honestly though……the group they played last night probably plays .350-.400 ball over an extended stretch. But that’s ok…it was fun. Two things I noticed from box score/highlights.
1. Kowar…..does he not remind you of Devin Williams with the change up out of the pen when it is going right? Keep him in the pen. Just let him have some success if that is where it is.
2. Pratto….I don’t know enough about him…but is he basically Joey Gallo Jr? 3k’s and did he even make contact with a pitch last night? Not a knock…just the little I saw make me hope he’s a trade candidate compared to some AB’s I’ve seen with Vinny. First game….I get it. But there will be ALOT of K’s there.
3. How can you not write about the Royals holding down the Blue Jays to 1 run with a bunch of young dudes with Cal Eldred IS NOT THERE? Can’t be coincidence.
Also, today is about the most confident I’ve felt that the Royals are going to make changes here. I could actually see it coming during the all-star break potentially. I don’t think this vaccine thing is Matheny’s fault…..but its another issue within the clubhouse that is only going to get resolved when Merrifield, Benny, and MAT are moved here in the next few weeks. With everything that has gone on….I don’t think Matheny survives this…be at the break or after the season and in turn Eldred will be gone as well. I’ve held out the belief that the royals are too stubborn but for some reason this last couple days has made me truly believe they are making a change here. Losing is bad….but this is bad PR/lost clubhouse territory that gets people to just react differently.
I agree that this makes changes more likely from some things that have made the rounds in rumors. And I don’t *think* it’ll be on Monday, but I don’t know it won’t. I honestly question whether Whit can play another game for this team based on some reaction from people who matter.
On Kowar, I don’t know about Williams, but what changeup is nasty when it’s good. Actually, that’s not even fair. His changeup is generally good when his fastball is in the zone and located well.
On Pratto, he’s going to strike out but most of the time it’s because he takes too many pitches and gets to two strikes but then doesn’t have the same hit tool as someone like Vinnie. But I’m willing to bet when he sees pitches he’s seen before (and there’s no way he’s seen a splitter like Gausman’s), it’ll look different with him.
I decided not to focus much on the guys who aren’t there but I did tweet about it. Also, fair is fair and they’d allowed 14 runs in their last five games before this WITH him.
Doggone it, I was all set to make that same comment about Eldred and ya beat me to it!
(Don't you hate it when that happens?)
Great recap! The game was a perfect cure for all the back and forth toxicity in social media yesterday. Thanks, Dave!
Thanks Erika!
Great win last night. I was traveling and didn't get to watch last night. Almost feels like I watched though after reading your recap. Probably watch this afternoon when I get home, as I have it taped. If they have to simply cut him, I don't see any way Merrifield continues on with this team. I don't see anyone offering much in a trade package. Proof of why you are better off saying nothing on a subject till you are sure of what you are going to say. Once you have said something. It's hard to take it back. Enjoyed all the discussion yesterday from all of you.
Yep, I’m sure there’s a way to do it, but it’s hard to see a path to fixing that relationship. I’m sure they could bring him back after the break and the team would deal with it, but I’m guessing he’s on a different team by the deadline.
If you were trying to get yourself moved….I couldn’t think of a better way than what Merrifield did. IDK, maybe he’s quietly been wanting to be moved for a bit now. But I still struggle to see how that wasn’t a purposeful answer with the time you had to prepare.
Also, at what point do you think Grienke realized the sh*t show he was walking back into this year after having spent time in the Dodgers and Astro’s organizations? I don’t think he was with Houston during the cheating scandal but got to think he’s SURE he could manage this team right now. Lol.
On the Whit front, I keep coming back to his answer coming when he absolutely knew he'd be asked about it for a long time. If that was off the top of his head, why didn't he prepare for it? And if it was prepared, don't back off now. Own it.
And yeah, Greinke. Though he's a different sort of guy so maybe he just wants to pitch in a big ballpark. He did just buy a house in KC, so who knows?
Make Zack the pitching coach. Hilarity ensues. Profit.
Very well could have been. Only he knows for sure.
👍
Overall the pitching seemed to be more on attack the batter mode and less nibble around the edges mode.
Coincidentally Cal wasn't there calling the game plan.
Maybe the fallout from this is some comfort level at making the oft requested coaching changes.
Zerpa attacks hitters, so some of that is him, but it’s also hard not to see a difference. My theory has long been that they aren’t prepared enough to feel comfortable attacking, so if they’re more prepared…well you get it.
I really like Zerpa. Maybe its just the mentality thing. To be completely fair….Toronto did smoke a bunch of balls last night just right at people. So the line could have been worse and the strikeouts needs to come up….but I do like how he attacks more than our other pitchers seem to. But small sample size.
I think against a different lineup, and like I said a different umpire, that game may have been even more impressive. But five innings and one run is five innings and one run.
The incessant nibbling reminds me SO much of Hochevar's starts. It was really nice not to see much of that last night.
A bellwether moment. I think there's a lot of self-reflection going on at 1 Royal Way right now.
I don't know if I tweeted this or texted it to someone, but this could end up being the biggest and most important thing to happen for the team in years. Maybe absolutely nothing happens and we're left wondering why not, but I think there are changes coming and probably big ones.
I agree. Players, coaches and culture. Sure doesn't seem like the majority of management, the players who went to Toronto, or the fans are happy or OK with their decision.
What'll be super interesting is if they win a couple more games this weekend and how loud the guys who are there get because they were quietly talking before the game and then got a little louder after with Lopez's comments after.
It can't be lost on management watching the joy and excitement in the dugout yesterday. These guys looked like a team pulling for each other. It was fun for them. and for those of us who watched or listened.
I totally agree. And it's not just about 26 guys who love each other, but it's hard to think they can just send back the eight (and eventually 10) and bring back all the other 10 and just call it a day and pretend like nothing happened.
I really wish I could believe 100% that what you said is true. But we know that if any executive is capable of ignoring the obvious, regardless of the consequences, it's Dayton Moore. He sometimes seems to specialize in "just call it a day and pretend like nothing happened."
Dayton has certainly said some of the right things about Whit and the situation in general. But that's the easy part. Anybody can say stuff.
Cheers for the Rookies. And hats off to the vaccinated veterans who made the trip. Boos and hisses for the 10 players and several coaches who didn't make the trip. I think it's time to really ramp up the efforts to trade Benintendi and Merrifield. They are the fulcrum that divides the team. Whit having the gaul to say he would change his mind if he got on a playoff contender. Benintendi just effectively cut his market for a trade in half, losing all the American League contenders. Both of these players are thinking of themselves first and the team a distant last. Try to trade Benintendi and if you can't, just bench him and start building for next year. Why let a soon to be departed left fielder steal development time from a young prospect. Same goes for the rapidly regressing Merrifield. Mr. Versatility can be replaced by Nate Eaton. Plays everywhere except pitcher or catcher.
I honestly don't think it changes Benitendi's trade value as much as that, especially if the Blue Jays continue to tumble. And they will trade him, no matter what, whether it's on Wednesday after the game or on August 2 right at the last minute. But the move to trade Whit has to go from "listening" to "he's gone once we get a decent offer."
Thanks David. I think you are right. Whit's stock has dropped this year and the idea of a decent offer may need to be readjusted. Hope it happens. There is no real urgency to trade Taylor as he could help next year, but a team needing great defense in CF should certainly be interested. Especially since he is hitting the best of his career.
Yeah I mean the time to Taylor is now and has been with his bat as good as it's been. The big issue with him (and Benintendi) is that while the Yankees only go to Toronto once more and it's likely after the season is decided, they still probably will get a lower offer from NY for either of them because of leverage. I think that's a bit less true on Benintendi because there are so many teams on him that if the Yankees think he's a missing piece, they'll go get him no matter what anybody says is true right now about their interest.
David, what do you think about the Royals tonight. Think we can at least keep it close? How do Jays match up vs Greinke/ Yals vs. Manoah?
Analyzing one game beforehand can be very, very difficult because of the sheer randomness of baseball, but if Greinke has that new (old?) cutter working, he should be able to get through their lineup a couple of times with minimal damage, but his lack of velocity could end up being a problem against a lineup that should be better than it is. And Manoah is just really good and tough to square up. If I was betting, I'd bet against the Royals, but I don't bet on individual baseball games because it's a set up for losing lots of money.
Haha appreciate the advice! Have to say, love the blog. I’ve been reading it periodically throughout the season and I really appreciate the dedication! This has to be the most exciting series this season so far for me because of
A.)The streak the Royals are on in the past month
B.) The media attention on this team right now
C.) All the exciting prospects that got called up to the team for this series.
Things are starting to look up and your preseason record prediction/ future outlook is starting to look very slick!
Thanks for reading! I'm not holding my breath on the prediction. I had them at 79-83. They'd have to go 43-30 the rest of the way. Though I guess if they keep up their 19-16 pace over their last 35, they'd get kinda sorta close to that.
Jackson Kowar ERA with Cal Eldred present: 10.92
Jackson Kowar ERA with Cal Eldred absent: 0.00
That game was interesting and exciting and fun. I'd kinda almost forgotten that was allowed.
I recall being quite impressed with Zerpa at the very end of last year. And as you mentioned it was his fearlessness that really jumped off the screen at me.
Of course it's way, way too soon to start drawing any conclusions. Being a baseball fan, naturally I've started drawing conclusions.
I think it's safe to say that Greinke brings a very different energy to the mound, and to the game, than Zerpa did last night. I'm really curious to see how and if the kids respond to that!
It works the other way around too: it will be interesting to see if and what kind of energy the kids bring to the grizzled old veteran.
Mr. Lesky (or David, if you prefer),
I want to thank you for all the insight you have shared via Inside the Crown. It is one of my first reads when I get to my email.
As to your comment about 'keeping it baseball'...I applaud your perspective. For me, baseball is there to help me not focus on all the stuff in the news. I will not get political but I do get tired of all the 'commentary' and really appreciate having a place to go and just focus on baseball and the team I have followed since that first game in 1969.
Keep it up!
Allen White
Thanks for reading and commenting, Allen! You can call me whatever you want…within reason haha.
I was more than a little disappointed to not see Massey in the lineup Friday night. Of course with Matheny disappointing lineup construction is just part of the deal. I'd be at least half an idiot to expect anything else.
Yeah, I know. I just left it sitting right there on a tee for everyone to take their best shot....
It may be too much to hope that we’ve reached a tipping point. But I’m going out on a limb and doing it anyway.
This article from the Wichita Eagle at https://share.newsbreak.com/1g3pd60s makes a good case that Whit Merrifield owes the Royals absolutely nothing. I can't say that I disagree, having made many of the same points multiple times myself.
What the article fails to point out is that after this latest debacle, the Royals don't owe him much of anything either. At least that's how I see it.
Maybe he doesn’t owe the Royals anything, but if his teammates don’t think he’s for them, that’s the issue. It’s irrelevant if what he said was right, wrong or something in between.
It may be irrelevant to you, and maybe even to some or all of his teammates, although I doubt it.
But I suspect that it's not irrelevant to a significant percentage of fans - the folks without whom paychecks eventually start bouncing. Which means that it's probably relevant in John Sherman's eyes, as well.
I’m saying it’s irrelevant because the issue is entirely how it impacts his standing with the clubhouse and the team. Whether he’s right or wrong, if it pisses them off, it doesn’t matter.
Rereading my comment I realized it probably came off as a little confrontational. Sorry about that. I truly didn't mean it that way at all.
Didn’t take it that way. I think we were saying the same thing, but I wanted to reiterate it in a different way.
Royals have traded Foster Griffin to Toronto for Some Dude. He has a 5.47 ERA, 1.443 WHIP. In 55IP this year he has 22BB and 47K. The good news is that he's only 20 years old. The bad news is that even that is a little old for A-ball, where he has spent this season.
Saturday after the third inning there was a camera shot of Lynch putting what appeared to be a latex surgical glove on his left hand. I'm guessing that has something to do with his blister problems but that's just a guess. Anybody better-informed about this than I am?
On a related note: the broadcasters noted that he was throwing "very few knuckle-curves" in that game. If I recall correctly that was one of the pitches thought to be contributing to that blister problem. If I had more confidence in Matheny or Eldred, I'd wonder if maybe they have him working on a more conventional curveball. (Obviously that would be a very difficult change to make in-season.) As it is, my guess is that he was simply told to throw it less.