I’ll take any improvement we can get. But I would say that it’s a little misleading yet as far as the walk numbers. I would expect the starting rotation top 3 of Greinke, Singer, and Lyle to have good walk numbers. It’s encouraging Lynch is down….Keller is still fairly high at almost 10%. I think the bullpen will be better this year for sure. I’m predicting 75% of the bullpen to start the season is gone by the last pitch of the season for the team. Just natural injuries, production, but mostly trades! IDK, i thought 75% felt high…but maybe that’s normal for a bullpen anymore.
Is it typical for a bullpen to issue a higher percentage of walks than the starting rotation? The walks were what I found most frustrating about last year's relievers. Do we know what the walk rate was for the bullpen last year?
Just think how much better this entire rotation would be if they had signed that one decent starter that most fans were hollering for - we might be talking about a top 5 AL pitching staff. Oh well, I’ll take the improvements we’re seeing.
I’d like to see Lovelady over Taylor in the pen but guess that won’t happen since we traded for him. I’d just hate to see them lose Lovelady. Isn’t he out of options?
Okay, David. You have done it. I am officially pumped about this year's team....not that I wouldn't be in a couple of weeks, but your reporting...thank you, man.
Great stuff, David...must-read for any Royals fan that likes a little deeper dive. I guess I'll chalk it up to a spring training Kool-aid drinking season, but the early results and optimism around the staff changes have me wondering if the Royals might have a 2023 similar to what the Orioles did last year? The O's improved by 31 wins (not saying KC is going to win 90+ games) but there is at least a scenario developing in my mind where the combination of 1) Young position player progression, 2) Competent middle of the league pitching, and 3) Better coaching / clubhouse vibe has the Royals flirting with .500 as the O's did last year, which (unlike the Orioles in the AL East), could have us in the mix in the Central. It's March, so a fella can dream a little, but it does feel like more of an actual possibility as the days go by.
If the team gets off to a hot start then I have a strong hunch that they'll be flirting with 500 ball for a good chunk of the season. If two more starting pitchers make significant progress and Singer gets a bit better and the offense improves as well...then the Royals could be this years version of the 2022 Baltimore Orioles.
While I always enjoy the articles, the comments are packed with good questions and insight as well!
Definitely interested to see what Keller does tonight, but guessing the winning streak my come to an end soon with 4 of the best bats at WBC.
I hate to ask about this guy, but have you heard any chatter on Chapman's pitching? I am hoping he has turned it around both on and off the field, and the dental emergency was a true accident versus foreshadowing things to come, but I wouldn't bet on it. (I am betting the over on Royals wins tho and would consider betting on a winning season)
I’ll take any improvement we can get. But I would say that it’s a little misleading yet as far as the walk numbers. I would expect the starting rotation top 3 of Greinke, Singer, and Lyle to have good walk numbers. It’s encouraging Lynch is down….Keller is still fairly high at almost 10%. I think the bullpen will be better this year for sure. I’m predicting 75% of the bullpen to start the season is gone by the last pitch of the season for the team. Just natural injuries, production, but mostly trades! IDK, i thought 75% felt high…but maybe that’s normal for a bullpen anymore.
Is it typical for a bullpen to issue a higher percentage of walks than the starting rotation? The walks were what I found most frustrating about last year's relievers. Do we know what the walk rate was for the bullpen last year?
Just think how much better this entire rotation would be if they had signed that one decent starter that most fans were hollering for - we might be talking about a top 5 AL pitching staff. Oh well, I’ll take the improvements we’re seeing.
I’d like to see Lovelady over Taylor in the pen but guess that won’t happen since we traded for him. I’d just hate to see them lose Lovelady. Isn’t he out of options?
Okay, David. You have done it. I am officially pumped about this year's team....not that I wouldn't be in a couple of weeks, but your reporting...thank you, man.
Great stuff, David...must-read for any Royals fan that likes a little deeper dive. I guess I'll chalk it up to a spring training Kool-aid drinking season, but the early results and optimism around the staff changes have me wondering if the Royals might have a 2023 similar to what the Orioles did last year? The O's improved by 31 wins (not saying KC is going to win 90+ games) but there is at least a scenario developing in my mind where the combination of 1) Young position player progression, 2) Competent middle of the league pitching, and 3) Better coaching / clubhouse vibe has the Royals flirting with .500 as the O's did last year, which (unlike the Orioles in the AL East), could have us in the mix in the Central. It's March, so a fella can dream a little, but it does feel like more of an actual possibility as the days go by.
If the team gets off to a hot start then I have a strong hunch that they'll be flirting with 500 ball for a good chunk of the season. If two more starting pitchers make significant progress and Singer gets a bit better and the offense improves as well...then the Royals could be this years version of the 2022 Baltimore Orioles.
Do you know why Zerpa has been so limited?
While I always enjoy the articles, the comments are packed with good questions and insight as well!
Definitely interested to see what Keller does tonight, but guessing the winning streak my come to an end soon with 4 of the best bats at WBC.
I hate to ask about this guy, but have you heard any chatter on Chapman's pitching? I am hoping he has turned it around both on and off the field, and the dental emergency was a true accident versus foreshadowing things to come, but I wouldn't bet on it. (I am betting the over on Royals wins tho and would consider betting on a winning season)