Thanks for the update. I have been down on Lacy after reading about his control issues. Too many times your hear a guy has all the talent in the world if he can just start to control it better. Hoping Lacy takes a page from Staumont and actually gets his pitches under control.
I'm really hoping Pasquantino starts the season in AAA with Pratto and/or Melendez. It feels like he has been the star hitter at A and AA this year. I would like to see how he hits with more protection in the lineup.
I really hope Melendez makes the roster out of spring training. That said, I do not want to see Gallagher non tendered or DFA'd. I think he is an excellent back up catcher and in the right spot could be a valuable starter. I would hate to see the Royals get zero compensation for him. I think Greg Zaun is a good comp for Gallagher. Starter on a bad team, back up on a good one.
1. Does the front office not believe in Isbel’s ability to handle CF in Kauffman? He’s getting a little old for a prospect and hit well in the 2nd half so it seems to me his time is now or never.
2. Any chance Wilson or Loftin could be be in their future plans to play CF or are neither athletic enough for it either?
I am so glad that you are holding on to MJ and hope that JJ will also. And I hope that Dayton resurfaces his "we will never allow a prospect that is ready to be blocked" to help him and JJ get Santana out of the way at 1B for Pratto. Part of me would like to see the Big 3 all debut on Opening Day, as I am guessing, like Hoz and Moose, that there is some real comraderie there. Now, finding room for them all, I think we can. Depending on what we do with Mondi (SS,2B,3B,or RF?), the rest of the pieces fit in nicely (Witt3B or SS, Nicky SS or 2B, Whit 2B or RF). And Salvy/MJ are C and DH, in rotation. Santana on the bench if we could not trade him, Dozier on the bench because of his contract and we won't let him block a prospect who is ready.
"After the 2019 season, the Royals decided something had to change. They overhauled their offensive development and made changes to their pitching development."
I feel like I just missed this story when it happened. Did you write about it? Has anyone?
What exactly changed? Personnel, philosophy, actual training techniques? Maybe some of that is trade secret still.
How much of this was driven by the taxi squad and their proximity to the big league club?
Did this happen before or after the change in ownership?
I have so many questions! If you haven't already, may I humbly ask for a post about it?
You don't trade a kid like Melendez. As good as Perez was last year. He will decline starting next year. He's just not the player he was last year. What I would do since Perez is getting older but still should be the number 1 catcher is I would flip flop Perez and Melendez between catcher and dh with Perez getting the most time behind the plate for now. That way Perez gets a little rest but you keep his bat in the lineup. Melendez gets fewer reps behind the plate for now but get to learn from Perez. You get to keep both bats in the game. I dont know why no one has thought about this sooner. You can have 2 number 1 catchers in the lineup at the same time and you can help extend the life of their knees and still have the benefit of have both their bats int the lineup at the same time
Thanks for the update. I have been down on Lacy after reading about his control issues. Too many times your hear a guy has all the talent in the world if he can just start to control it better. Hoping Lacy takes a page from Staumont and actually gets his pitches under control.
I'm really hoping Pasquantino starts the season in AAA with Pratto and/or Melendez. It feels like he has been the star hitter at A and AA this year. I would like to see how he hits with more protection in the lineup.
I really hope Melendez makes the roster out of spring training. That said, I do not want to see Gallagher non tendered or DFA'd. I think he is an excellent back up catcher and in the right spot could be a valuable starter. I would hate to see the Royals get zero compensation for him. I think Greg Zaun is a good comp for Gallagher. Starter on a bad team, back up on a good one.
Two thoughts/questions about the future of CF:
1. Does the front office not believe in Isbel’s ability to handle CF in Kauffman? He’s getting a little old for a prospect and hit well in the 2nd half so it seems to me his time is now or never.
2. Any chance Wilson or Loftin could be be in their future plans to play CF or are neither athletic enough for it either?
I am so glad that you are holding on to MJ and hope that JJ will also. And I hope that Dayton resurfaces his "we will never allow a prospect that is ready to be blocked" to help him and JJ get Santana out of the way at 1B for Pratto. Part of me would like to see the Big 3 all debut on Opening Day, as I am guessing, like Hoz and Moose, that there is some real comraderie there. Now, finding room for them all, I think we can. Depending on what we do with Mondi (SS,2B,3B,or RF?), the rest of the pieces fit in nicely (Witt3B or SS, Nicky SS or 2B, Whit 2B or RF). And Salvy/MJ are C and DH, in rotation. Santana on the bench if we could not trade him, Dozier on the bench because of his contract and we won't let him block a prospect who is ready.
"After the 2019 season, the Royals decided something had to change. They overhauled their offensive development and made changes to their pitching development."
I feel like I just missed this story when it happened. Did you write about it? Has anyone?
What exactly changed? Personnel, philosophy, actual training techniques? Maybe some of that is trade secret still.
How much of this was driven by the taxi squad and their proximity to the big league club?
Did this happen before or after the change in ownership?
I have so many questions! If you haven't already, may I humbly ask for a post about it?
You don't trade a kid like Melendez. As good as Perez was last year. He will decline starting next year. He's just not the player he was last year. What I would do since Perez is getting older but still should be the number 1 catcher is I would flip flop Perez and Melendez between catcher and dh with Perez getting the most time behind the plate for now. That way Perez gets a little rest but you keep his bat in the lineup. Melendez gets fewer reps behind the plate for now but get to learn from Perez. You get to keep both bats in the game. I dont know why no one has thought about this sooner. You can have 2 number 1 catchers in the lineup at the same time and you can help extend the life of their knees and still have the benefit of have both their bats int the lineup at the same time