Great analysis David. My question about next year and beyond is can the pitching keep up with the development of the position players? They may need to sign a few slightly above average, but affordable starters. A guy like Jeremy Guthrie comes to mind. He was quite serviceable. Also, some bullpen help from outside the organization. What are your thoughts on this?
I’ve written a bit about the needs here and on Royals Review. They definitely don’t have the pitching right now to compete. My question is what happens with some competent instruction, which I think they’ll at least try to get better in that way. But they need at least one starter and a couple of relievers heading into 2023 if they want a shot to compete. The AL Central makes it possible, but there’s work to do.
They undoubtedly need some more pitching to compete or better instructors. I certainly hope you're right on change on the way.. on the hitting side can you a need for a another real good right handed hitter. I don't see Rooker as the answer and I getting so mad every time I see Dozier's name in the lineup, which is 95% of the time. He is just plain abysmal. He doesn't ever even hit the ball hard. The only time he can get a hit is in nonRBI chance. Is there any we don't start 2023 without him or Ohearn. Thanks great writing, as usual. Also, great news on the young Royals in Columbia.
Would you believe Dozier is hitting .270/.356/.397 in “late and close” situations and .293/.362/.429 from the seventh inning on? He needs to play less and he’s in a bad slump right now, but there’s a place for him. He’s used improperly right now, but as someone who can fill in with a very lefty heavy team against lefties (.257/.342/.385) and can at least stand at four positions, he has a place on this team. Again, he needs to be used better but he’s not nearly as useless as people think. Also doesn’t make as much as people think. I noted on Twitter yesterday that his total owed is less than 62 players are making this year and his highest salary that comes in 2024 would only be the 93rd highest salary this season. It’s the usage, not the player.
You are right, I don't believe it, but if you say it's so, I'll take you at your word. The thing is he has 409 official at bats plus 31 walks, so that's 440 at bats and he only has 36 RBI. Witt has 484 official at bats plus 24 walks, so that's 508 at bats with 70 RBI. That is quite a big difference it seems. I just hate to see him playing so much, at least till he learn to lay off that low outside slider. Thanks for putting up with me.
There’s no doubt Witt is better but he’s also hit with 30 more runners on base than Dozier. He hasn’t been good in RBI situations, no doubt, but for a guy now hitting seventh mostly when he plays, the complaints about him aren’t in line with the actual impact. At least in my opinion.
People got down on Mozz early because of his draft slot, but he still has the makeup to be a solid pitching prospect. Gotta cut down on the walks though.
I've never chatted with a scout, but are they always so effusive with praise? They made it sound like those guys are a bunch of future superstars. Hope it's true.
This particular one is optimistic, but no. They typically are not. He sees the bright side when he’s just talking baseball, so maybe take it at like 85% of the praise. Still very high.
I hope so, but I fear they won't. The real chance they do is if they either send down Misiewicz, who has been a mixed bag, or if someone else gets hurt. We'll know in about 24 hours, though.
Great analysis David. My question about next year and beyond is can the pitching keep up with the development of the position players? They may need to sign a few slightly above average, but affordable starters. A guy like Jeremy Guthrie comes to mind. He was quite serviceable. Also, some bullpen help from outside the organization. What are your thoughts on this?
I’ve written a bit about the needs here and on Royals Review. They definitely don’t have the pitching right now to compete. My question is what happens with some competent instruction, which I think they’ll at least try to get better in that way. But they need at least one starter and a couple of relievers heading into 2023 if they want a shot to compete. The AL Central makes it possible, but there’s work to do.
They undoubtedly need some more pitching to compete or better instructors. I certainly hope you're right on change on the way.. on the hitting side can you a need for a another real good right handed hitter. I don't see Rooker as the answer and I getting so mad every time I see Dozier's name in the lineup, which is 95% of the time. He is just plain abysmal. He doesn't ever even hit the ball hard. The only time he can get a hit is in nonRBI chance. Is there any we don't start 2023 without him or Ohearn. Thanks great writing, as usual. Also, great news on the young Royals in Columbia.
Would you believe Dozier is hitting .270/.356/.397 in “late and close” situations and .293/.362/.429 from the seventh inning on? He needs to play less and he’s in a bad slump right now, but there’s a place for him. He’s used improperly right now, but as someone who can fill in with a very lefty heavy team against lefties (.257/.342/.385) and can at least stand at four positions, he has a place on this team. Again, he needs to be used better but he’s not nearly as useless as people think. Also doesn’t make as much as people think. I noted on Twitter yesterday that his total owed is less than 62 players are making this year and his highest salary that comes in 2024 would only be the 93rd highest salary this season. It’s the usage, not the player.
You are right, I don't believe it, but if you say it's so, I'll take you at your word. The thing is he has 409 official at bats plus 31 walks, so that's 440 at bats and he only has 36 RBI. Witt has 484 official at bats plus 24 walks, so that's 508 at bats with 70 RBI. That is quite a big difference it seems. I just hate to see him playing so much, at least till he learn to lay off that low outside slider. Thanks for putting up with me.
There’s no doubt Witt is better but he’s also hit with 30 more runners on base than Dozier. He hasn’t been good in RBI situations, no doubt, but for a guy now hitting seventh mostly when he plays, the complaints about him aren’t in line with the actual impact. At least in my opinion.
German Marquez.
You know I would be ALL about that.
People got down on Mozz early because of his draft slot, but he still has the makeup to be a solid pitching prospect. Gotta cut down on the walks though.
I think maybe he’s just trying to fit in with the big league staff.
I've never chatted with a scout, but are they always so effusive with praise? They made it sound like those guys are a bunch of future superstars. Hope it's true.
This particular one is optimistic, but no. They typically are not. He sees the bright side when he’s just talking baseball, so maybe take it at like 85% of the praise. Still very high.
David, do you think they'll keep max in the rotation with Grienke back and go 6-man?
I hope so, but I fear they won't. The real chance they do is if they either send down Misiewicz, who has been a mixed bag, or if someone else gets hurt. We'll know in about 24 hours, though.