Edit: I went back to watch the Maxwell grand slam and it was every bit as exciting 9 years later. Also he had a 131 OPS+ (!!!) in his 97 AB’s for the 2013 Royals.
Nice work David. I struggle to read too much into Heasley’s last couple performances to be honest. I know you alluded to it in your article as well. But at this point everyone is just playing out the string. Certainly rather see good outings than bad. But no information at this point should really change what we think we know on him….which is…..I don’t know. I lean more to the not thinking it is really going to work…but I’m certainly willing to give him time with new coaches and see what happens.
On Matheny, if you are going to move on from him just wait till the offseason at this point. The argument can be made why not do it now….but I’d also argue…why? I’m sure he knows what is coming and going on. Just let him enjoy managing the guys a few more games. You aren’t going to get a read on an interim manager with this few games left anyway.
Really it's just about knowing what you're looking for. I like that he's thrown a lot of changeups to try to get a handle on how to best utilize that pitch. I like that he got out of trouble in the sixth inning. It's honestly no different than spring training in that way. I feel like a lot of people either go way too in on the results or ignore everything entirely, but the truth is there's a middle ground. I will say that I'm glad to watch some baseball this weekend where the opponent isn't just doing what they can to get to the end of the season. It very well might be the last series like that of the year because it looks like Cleveland will have things locked up by the time the Royals get there.
I can honestly see both sides with any move. At this point, what's the difference? If they fired him in 10 minutes, cool. If they wait until October 6, cool. I think the time to really do it if you were going to do it before the season ended was three or four weeks ago. But you're right. It doesn't change much of anything other than would give me something to care about because, like I wrote, I don't care if Matheny does this or that because it's not going to matter the next time the Royals play a game that's meaningful to them.
I believe Heasley's performance needs to be evaluated with this thought in mind - how effective has the coaching been. Is been mentioned many times that poor coaching up and down the system has gotten the team to this point. Brady is just now figuring out out. Heasley has an edge to him that I like. Same with Amir. Wonder why we don't see more pitchers like AL Hrobosky? Just a different level of energy.
One thing I found humorous during the game yesterday was a comment Rex made when Bobby hit his double. It was his 29 double of the year. One more and he'll have 30. Gotta find something entertaining where you can!
You're absolutely right. It's like I've been saying, until we see what better instruction can do, we really have no idea what the ceiling is for these guys.
I'm starting to think Olivares can hit MLB pitching....
Sure seems like he might just be okay.
I think he can fill the Alex Rios role, except better at the plate and less expensive. So maybe not like Alex Rios at all.
Just remember that Justin Maxwell walked so Alex Rios could run and Paulo Orlando could triple.
Justin Maxwell “walked off,” too.
Edit: I went back to watch the Maxwell grand slam and it was every bit as exciting 9 years later. Also he had a 131 OPS+ (!!!) in his 97 AB’s for the 2013 Royals.
Honestly, my favorite day as a Royals fan before 2014, which is kind of sad but it was incredible. And yeah, the dude hit well!
Nice work David. I struggle to read too much into Heasley’s last couple performances to be honest. I know you alluded to it in your article as well. But at this point everyone is just playing out the string. Certainly rather see good outings than bad. But no information at this point should really change what we think we know on him….which is…..I don’t know. I lean more to the not thinking it is really going to work…but I’m certainly willing to give him time with new coaches and see what happens.
On Matheny, if you are going to move on from him just wait till the offseason at this point. The argument can be made why not do it now….but I’d also argue…why? I’m sure he knows what is coming and going on. Just let him enjoy managing the guys a few more games. You aren’t going to get a read on an interim manager with this few games left anyway.
Really it's just about knowing what you're looking for. I like that he's thrown a lot of changeups to try to get a handle on how to best utilize that pitch. I like that he got out of trouble in the sixth inning. It's honestly no different than spring training in that way. I feel like a lot of people either go way too in on the results or ignore everything entirely, but the truth is there's a middle ground. I will say that I'm glad to watch some baseball this weekend where the opponent isn't just doing what they can to get to the end of the season. It very well might be the last series like that of the year because it looks like Cleveland will have things locked up by the time the Royals get there.
I can honestly see both sides with any move. At this point, what's the difference? If they fired him in 10 minutes, cool. If they wait until October 6, cool. I think the time to really do it if you were going to do it before the season ended was three or four weeks ago. But you're right. It doesn't change much of anything other than would give me something to care about because, like I wrote, I don't care if Matheny does this or that because it's not going to matter the next time the Royals play a game that's meaningful to them.
Good to see guys ready to do damage on fastballs
I believe Heasley's performance needs to be evaluated with this thought in mind - how effective has the coaching been. Is been mentioned many times that poor coaching up and down the system has gotten the team to this point. Brady is just now figuring out out. Heasley has an edge to him that I like. Same with Amir. Wonder why we don't see more pitchers like AL Hrobosky? Just a different level of energy.
One thing I found humorous during the game yesterday was a comment Rex made when Bobby hit his double. It was his 29 double of the year. One more and he'll have 30. Gotta find something entertaining where you can!
Thanks for your insight as always.
You're absolutely right. It's like I've been saying, until we see what better instruction can do, we really have no idea what the ceiling is for these guys.
I know this: I’m looking forward to the first normal offseason since 2019. I’m sure Mr. Sherman and JJ are too.
Oh yeah, that's 100% for sure.