Offense being good….I can’t get there yet. But, this is more what I expected this year so I’m at least happy to see that. Massey, Melendez, Pratto….just keep giving them at bats so we can actually find out what is real and what isn’t. I don’t see the depth of lineup yet after Witt, Vinny and Salvy….but if that’s what this year is about…I’m fine with the ups and downs. At least they are entertaining right now.
This is not a negative in any way. Just something I was thinking about the other day. I know when new coaches were brought in…I think you had a scout tell you new coaches were worth 10 wins. I was resistant to that thinking at the time….but as spring hope brought eternal optimism I started buying that more and more. Now it’s only May 11th….but I’m willing to say at this point that coaches are never worth 10 wins. It still clearly comes down to players. And I’m sure there are probably examples of a new coach coming in and a team improving 10 wins….so it’s not impossible…but I think that scout was overestimating the overall talent on the roster. I bring that up because I’m tired of watching Keller. Lol….But I get it. Who else are they going to throw? You might as well use up his arm. But raid the zone….he doesn’t, can’t, idk what it is. But nothing is more frustrating starting the game walking guys, then scoring 4 runs and then having him come in and immediately walk the first guy. I just don’t think Sweeney/Q have that big an impact on already established guys is what this experiment is showing early.
I think that Keller had good fortune rain down on him in the first inning and he took that and parlayed it into a decent outing. After he walked the first two batters on 10 pitches, Andrew Vaughn grounded into a double play on what looked to be a hanging, 84 MPH curve ball. Yes, Brad still walked two more after that (and one scored), but maybe it was the beginning of something for him.
Who do you see getting the start in Yarborough's spot. I would think it is time to give Austin Cox. He looked good in those 2 innings the other day. And by the way, he's 26 years old. The time is now, so to speak!!!!
I've watched and stayed quiet so far this year as I've frustratingly witnessed, yet another Royals team, struggle out of the gates. During that time, I've primarily been tracking one stat the most; wins and losses. You are what your record says you are after all - particularly if we're almost at the quarter pole.
14 and 24 last year vs. 11 and 27 this year. I think most of us agree that last year's roster was worse on paper than this team being straddled with Ryan, Carlos, etc. I think we also agree that last year's Coaching staff was worse with MM and Cal. Last year's team had some good luck and some bad luck, and this team has had the same.
Yet, here we are, three games worse than last year and on pace for a whopping 54 wins, 11 less than last year.
Wow Keller was hard to watch, I am sure everybody was ready for the sox to tie it back up, but as you said "Ultimately, he finds himself lucky"
Have to give you props for consistently mentioning that the offense was just unlucky for a while (and will take with a grain of salt that they probably aren't this good)
And I know you sort of addressed this in a comment, but I was definitely curious what you thought of those PAs of Eaton. I thought they would play him today after last nights performance. He is certainly fun to watch on defense. 264/331/387 was serviceable last year, but obviously the numbers stink now. But if he can show some real progress before waters is back any chance they send Dozier away instead? My 6 weeks of giving Dozier benefit of the doubt ends Saturday
Still too many walks by pitchers, but the offense, as you have noted, is looking so much better. Some clutch hitting that they were missing for several weeks. Gotta love these Royals. Thank you as always, David.
Good to see Massey in a better direction, but one thing is for sure: the guy has simply hit at every level. Demonstrated skills are usually demonstrated for a reason, unless you're Bob Hamelin, so you had to believe Massey would change course.
Seeing chatter about Chapman as a trade candidate, and while early, I wonder what he could fetch. Rosenthal got Olivares and eventually Coleman, so there's precedent that a reliever trade parlay could hit. Fingers crossed that 1) Chapman stays 'healthy, 2) Chapman maintains a K rate of > 35%, and 3) JJ can flip him for potential and not simply 'serviceable parts'. [see also: Stein, Blake]
Just want to say I love how active the comments are here. This is high praise for something that lives on the internet. Harkens back to RoyalBoard and FanHome.
2 more hitters would be great, but how about just one-scary, true DH to bring in tonight? I love Vinnie and Salvy, who I am sure make the pitchers concerned; but wouldn't it be great to have one bada** intro song playing when THE DH came up to make the pitcher sweat? FWIW I don't think Salvy was the call there - cold and day after 33 bday celebration? no way. Loved the call to have Fermin bunt, but probably just bc it worked. Still don't think Salvy was the go to either way. Dreaming of the day we will have a go to scary bat and loving that we beat the sox for so many reasons. Back to nail biting tomorrow
Offense being good….I can’t get there yet. But, this is more what I expected this year so I’m at least happy to see that. Massey, Melendez, Pratto….just keep giving them at bats so we can actually find out what is real and what isn’t. I don’t see the depth of lineup yet after Witt, Vinny and Salvy….but if that’s what this year is about…I’m fine with the ups and downs. At least they are entertaining right now.
This is not a negative in any way. Just something I was thinking about the other day. I know when new coaches were brought in…I think you had a scout tell you new coaches were worth 10 wins. I was resistant to that thinking at the time….but as spring hope brought eternal optimism I started buying that more and more. Now it’s only May 11th….but I’m willing to say at this point that coaches are never worth 10 wins. It still clearly comes down to players. And I’m sure there are probably examples of a new coach coming in and a team improving 10 wins….so it’s not impossible…but I think that scout was overestimating the overall talent on the roster. I bring that up because I’m tired of watching Keller. Lol….But I get it. Who else are they going to throw? You might as well use up his arm. But raid the zone….he doesn’t, can’t, idk what it is. But nothing is more frustrating starting the game walking guys, then scoring 4 runs and then having him come in and immediately walk the first guy. I just don’t think Sweeney/Q have that big an impact on already established guys is what this experiment is showing early.
I think that Keller had good fortune rain down on him in the first inning and he took that and parlayed it into a decent outing. After he walked the first two batters on 10 pitches, Andrew Vaughn grounded into a double play on what looked to be a hanging, 84 MPH curve ball. Yes, Brad still walked two more after that (and one scored), but maybe it was the beginning of something for him.
Who do you see getting the start in Yarborough's spot. I would think it is time to give Austin Cox. He looked good in those 2 innings the other day. And by the way, he's 26 years old. The time is now, so to speak!!!!
Things that nobody ever said, ever: "....with a physique as perfect as Lance Lynn's...."
I've watched and stayed quiet so far this year as I've frustratingly witnessed, yet another Royals team, struggle out of the gates. During that time, I've primarily been tracking one stat the most; wins and losses. You are what your record says you are after all - particularly if we're almost at the quarter pole.
14 and 24 last year vs. 11 and 27 this year. I think most of us agree that last year's roster was worse on paper than this team being straddled with Ryan, Carlos, etc. I think we also agree that last year's Coaching staff was worse with MM and Cal. Last year's team had some good luck and some bad luck, and this team has had the same.
Yet, here we are, three games worse than last year and on pace for a whopping 54 wins, 11 less than last year.
What gives?
Maybe Keller was tipping his new pitches and the A's picked up on that and he hasn't gotten it ironed out in between starts?
If Pratto becomes a regular, look out. We'll really have something going then!
Wow Keller was hard to watch, I am sure everybody was ready for the sox to tie it back up, but as you said "Ultimately, he finds himself lucky"
Have to give you props for consistently mentioning that the offense was just unlucky for a while (and will take with a grain of salt that they probably aren't this good)
And I know you sort of addressed this in a comment, but I was definitely curious what you thought of those PAs of Eaton. I thought they would play him today after last nights performance. He is certainly fun to watch on defense. 264/331/387 was serviceable last year, but obviously the numbers stink now. But if he can show some real progress before waters is back any chance they send Dozier away instead? My 6 weeks of giving Dozier benefit of the doubt ends Saturday
Still too many walks by pitchers, but the offense, as you have noted, is looking so much better. Some clutch hitting that they were missing for several weeks. Gotta love these Royals. Thank you as always, David.
Good to see Massey in a better direction, but one thing is for sure: the guy has simply hit at every level. Demonstrated skills are usually demonstrated for a reason, unless you're Bob Hamelin, so you had to believe Massey would change course.
Seeing chatter about Chapman as a trade candidate, and while early, I wonder what he could fetch. Rosenthal got Olivares and eventually Coleman, so there's precedent that a reliever trade parlay could hit. Fingers crossed that 1) Chapman stays 'healthy, 2) Chapman maintains a K rate of > 35%, and 3) JJ can flip him for potential and not simply 'serviceable parts'. [see also: Stein, Blake]
Drew Waters replacing Bradley and or Isbel gives some hope for another decent bat to round out the lineup. He'll be up soon.
Just want to say I love how active the comments are here. This is high praise for something that lives on the internet. Harkens back to RoyalBoard and FanHome.
So close to being balanced… bats are hot… now just need enough pitching to stay in the game.
2 more hitters would be great, but how about just one-scary, true DH to bring in tonight? I love Vinnie and Salvy, who I am sure make the pitchers concerned; but wouldn't it be great to have one bada** intro song playing when THE DH came up to make the pitcher sweat? FWIW I don't think Salvy was the call there - cold and day after 33 bday celebration? no way. Loved the call to have Fermin bunt, but probably just bc it worked. Still don't think Salvy was the go to either way. Dreaming of the day we will have a go to scary bat and loving that we beat the sox for so many reasons. Back to nail biting tomorrow