Last night, I was finally convinced that the Royals have flushed the old way of doing things. They had two obvious choices at number 6, and they actually picked one of them! (I would rather they had taken Wetherholt because of the higher floor and position, but a close call). And their second pick looks good, too. Even Keith Law was impressed. It is all a bit of a crapshoot, of course, but I feel better about their first pick since 2019.
I think I'd have probably preferred Wetherholt too, but he also comes with some issues, and his are weird hamstring injury issues. So I was like 55-45. One thing I didn't mention because I was running long and I'll probably do something draft-related on a paid-only article is that Shields is the sort of pitcher the Guardians would take. He throws strikes and they get their stuff to play up. That's encouraging to me, assuming they can actually get his stuff to play up.
I wanted Dakota Jordan at 41 so hoping that’s who they go for today. Crossing fingers that we’re able to look back on the 2024 draft and say wow what a draft for the Royals.
You hope that every year, obviously, but I have a feeling we're going to feel really good about this group when the draft wraps up tomorrow. If it ever works out, we'll see, but I'm pretty confident in this group after last night.
So I’m not going to pretend I know anything about these picks. But when I see he’s a free swinger…..and then see he walked more than he struck out (even if you discount the intentional walks) it’s just sort of a contradictory statement. Lol. Doesn’t mean it’s wrong, it’s just interesting to see and comprehend. It sounds like it’s a premium talent addition potentially. Which is really what they need to so glad to have it. I guess the next question is…..If anyone really thinks he could be up next year (I don’t think anyone can really expect that) did they draft him just to move him to the outfield? We are still going to have Vinny and Salvy around. Again, IDK that you can plan on him being up next year…but seems like another guy they are just going to fit in somewhere and try the outfield?
More so than the Diamondbacks and Cubs. They have to go 5-1 against the White Sox out of the break here. They really just have too. And I think they will. But a 2-3 or something like that would be a disaster in my eyes.
He makes contact, in and out of the zone. It's sort of the thing with Salvy earlier in the year. Everyone thought he was suddenly more patient, but he was just fouling off a bunch of the pitches he shouldn't have been swinging at to keep at bats alive. The one thing about Caglianone that I literally *just* talked to someone about (and I do mean literally; I hung up at 8:53 and I'm typing this at 8:55) is that part of his aggression was that he just didn't get pitches to hit, so he was anxious when he got something close. We'll see if that proves true, but it's interesting.
I honestly don't know. He's athletic in the sense that most 21-year old college baseball players are athletic, but I'm not sure if he's got enough speed to succeed out there. Hopefully he forces them into a tough decision if he can't play out there. I wouldn't be surprised if we see him in right field a bit, though, just to see. He certainly has the arm for it.
Well, even if not. They are starting to build some depth. If they have to move Vinny in a couple years…maybe that’s the route they go. Good to have options…and have to get there first if that’s the case. Honestly, I’ve expected a little more from Vinny this year….but college baseball drafts aren’t necessarily for the mlb team now anyway. But I’m excited if he really is a fast mover and in two years they are either figuring out what to do at first…or able to play him in the OF a bit. I do wonder a bit if this slows down the re-sign Vinny talk just a bit too. I think I still would…and Vinny has more to provide…but you also might have his replacement as well if things go as planned. So just another wrinkle is all. Way too early.
I think Vinnie being more above average than good this season has probably slowed down that talk. It's not that the Royals don't love him, but I think they want to see him be the hitter he was before the injury a little more consistently before they lock him up. And when you get in that spot with a player, you're also likely more willing to move him in the right deal. There are certainly worse things than having tough decisions to make.
KCR's habit of selecting prep pitchers in rounds 2 or 3 doesn't seem to produce much for big leagues. Am I being impatient since the HSers are so far away from majors? Love Cags - he improved this season with chase rate and walk rate. He also has dynamic/charismatic presence on the field. I know that is hard to measure variable but he seems to have some fire and personality!
He definitely seems like a guy who players rally around.
I'm not sure the history means much with this organization anymore. They have an entirely new pitching program that was implemented just last season. Prep pitchers in general are riskier, but at the same time can have some of the biggest impact. I just looked at the top 20 starting pitchers by fWAR and nine of them are either international signings or high school picks. Extend it to the top 30 and it's 14. While the Royals haven't had success here, there is success to be had. I don't know if their pitching program now will get it done, but I know it's very different than what they even had in place when they drafted Frank Mozzicato a few years back.
I think Shields is a guy that you’re hoping to get in on early who would be a top 10 pick a year from now if he had the extra year of development and hopefully added velocity. He reclassified so at only 17 there’s a lot of room for growth but I like where he’s at more than our past pitchers and also a different development staff. This isn’t really a Mozzicato situation.
Thanks for the quick response. Yes, the regime change is starting to take hold so I do have hope for high schoolers. Guys like Foster Griffin Ashe Russell et.al didn't have a chance.
It's a tougher demographic to crack, but I also think you don't just ignore them. You just get better at developing them. We'll see if this group has. I think they will be more successful, but we just don't really know yet for sure.
Caglianone carried FLorida to College World Series. Kind of player ( like Brett) that fans who wouldn't normally come to Royals game will pay to see at home or on the road. Future of team with Witt and Cag in lineup is goood.
The entire season and possibly an entry into the post season depends on how much they can improve by the trade deadline. The team they have now isn't going anywhere but home when the season ends.
Kind of wild the tone here. I'm not saying you're wrong at all, but they lost 106 games last year and many will legitimately be annoyed if they don't make the playoffs. They need to make moves, but I also think we should reflect a bit on how crazy the turnaround has been.
I do give them credit for an amazing turnaround. Before the season started, I never dreamed they would even be in the playoff discussion, much less actually in the race. However, they were better earlier in the season than they are now and that probably built my hopes up to unreasonable levels. I'm still pulling for them to make it, but need some major help from outside the organization in my opinion to enter September still with a reasonable chance.
I mean, I’ll be a little disappointed as well if they don’t make it. But idk how anyone can think this is anything but a great year regardless. Even this weekend. We lost 2 of 3…but we got better for next year. They are pretty much better in every category - offense, pitching, defense, and bullpen. IDK don’t know how you expect them to be that much better to make the playoffs. It was always unrealistic. And they still have a shot. The rotation is so good…they have a legit shot if they can find a way to get better in the middle yet.
Next year is a long ways away. And I think you’ve even mentioned it. I could totally see a two steps forward (this year), one step back (next year) type of deal happen. Seems like that happens fairly often.
Yeah, it’s probably not the best use of word. I agree. I just mean more it was unrealistic to think playoffs before the season. Even now it’s “realistic” at this point. But everything had to break their way….and if we are being honest….a ton of it has this year. No major injuries to key players yet, BWJ continued to ascend, Ragans continued to ascend, Lugo has been better than advertised, Singer is on a good year, Salvy having a great year at 34. We can not like the bullpen…but who they brought in HAS improved the pen over last year. Not everything, but a lot has gone right this year. Which is great don’t get me wrong.
I've been thinking this all year. I haven't gotten swept up in the whole playoff deal, because even a competitive team ( which they've proven to be ) is a BIG step forward. I'd love for them to make the playoffs, but won't be disappointed if they don't.
Would you believe he's only made four outs on the bases? That stat doesn't count caught stealings or pickoffs and it's still a lot, but I would have guessed more.
Signing Harvey was an overpay, especially considering we still are up in the air on hitters 5-8. We hope to coach up a couple of his pitches, sounds a lot like Carlos Hernandez. Not the time to mortgage our future for a big maybe
In the last two and a half seasons, including a tough last month, Hunter Harvey has thrown 145 innings with 120 hits allowed and 12 home runs with a 3.17 ERA and 3.16 FIP to go with a 27.8% strikeout rate, 6.4% walk rate and a 1.08 WHIP. If your comparison is to Carlos Hernandez, I don’t know what to tell you. You can believe they gave up too much, but that’s a beyond silly comparison.
Last night, I was finally convinced that the Royals have flushed the old way of doing things. They had two obvious choices at number 6, and they actually picked one of them! (I would rather they had taken Wetherholt because of the higher floor and position, but a close call). And their second pick looks good, too. Even Keith Law was impressed. It is all a bit of a crapshoot, of course, but I feel better about their first pick since 2019.
I think I'd have probably preferred Wetherholt too, but he also comes with some issues, and his are weird hamstring injury issues. So I was like 55-45. One thing I didn't mention because I was running long and I'll probably do something draft-related on a paid-only article is that Shields is the sort of pitcher the Guardians would take. He throws strikes and they get their stuff to play up. That's encouraging to me, assuming they can actually get his stuff to play up.
I wanted Dakota Jordan at 41 so hoping that’s who they go for today. Crossing fingers that we’re able to look back on the 2024 draft and say wow what a draft for the Royals.
You hope that every year, obviously, but I have a feeling we're going to feel really good about this group when the draft wraps up tomorrow. If it ever works out, we'll see, but I'm pretty confident in this group after last night.
So I’m not going to pretend I know anything about these picks. But when I see he’s a free swinger…..and then see he walked more than he struck out (even if you discount the intentional walks) it’s just sort of a contradictory statement. Lol. Doesn’t mean it’s wrong, it’s just interesting to see and comprehend. It sounds like it’s a premium talent addition potentially. Which is really what they need to so glad to have it. I guess the next question is…..If anyone really thinks he could be up next year (I don’t think anyone can really expect that) did they draft him just to move him to the outfield? We are still going to have Vinny and Salvy around. Again, IDK that you can plan on him being up next year…but seems like another guy they are just going to fit in somewhere and try the outfield?
More so than the Diamondbacks and Cubs. They have to go 5-1 against the White Sox out of the break here. They really just have too. And I think they will. But a 2-3 or something like that would be a disaster in my eyes.
He makes contact, in and out of the zone. It's sort of the thing with Salvy earlier in the year. Everyone thought he was suddenly more patient, but he was just fouling off a bunch of the pitches he shouldn't have been swinging at to keep at bats alive. The one thing about Caglianone that I literally *just* talked to someone about (and I do mean literally; I hung up at 8:53 and I'm typing this at 8:55) is that part of his aggression was that he just didn't get pitches to hit, so he was anxious when he got something close. We'll see if that proves true, but it's interesting.
Makes sense. What do you think about him moving to the outfield? Seems like maybe they are hoping he is a corner outfielder if up in 2 years?
I honestly don't know. He's athletic in the sense that most 21-year old college baseball players are athletic, but I'm not sure if he's got enough speed to succeed out there. Hopefully he forces them into a tough decision if he can't play out there. I wouldn't be surprised if we see him in right field a bit, though, just to see. He certainly has the arm for it.
Well, even if not. They are starting to build some depth. If they have to move Vinny in a couple years…maybe that’s the route they go. Good to have options…and have to get there first if that’s the case. Honestly, I’ve expected a little more from Vinny this year….but college baseball drafts aren’t necessarily for the mlb team now anyway. But I’m excited if he really is a fast mover and in two years they are either figuring out what to do at first…or able to play him in the OF a bit. I do wonder a bit if this slows down the re-sign Vinny talk just a bit too. I think I still would…and Vinny has more to provide…but you also might have his replacement as well if things go as planned. So just another wrinkle is all. Way too early.
I think Vinnie being more above average than good this season has probably slowed down that talk. It's not that the Royals don't love him, but I think they want to see him be the hitter he was before the injury a little more consistently before they lock him up. And when you get in that spot with a player, you're also likely more willing to move him in the right deal. There are certainly worse things than having tough decisions to make.
If I remember right, Keith Law said the same thing about RF.
KCR's habit of selecting prep pitchers in rounds 2 or 3 doesn't seem to produce much for big leagues. Am I being impatient since the HSers are so far away from majors? Love Cags - he improved this season with chase rate and walk rate. He also has dynamic/charismatic presence on the field. I know that is hard to measure variable but he seems to have some fire and personality!
He definitely seems like a guy who players rally around.
I'm not sure the history means much with this organization anymore. They have an entirely new pitching program that was implemented just last season. Prep pitchers in general are riskier, but at the same time can have some of the biggest impact. I just looked at the top 20 starting pitchers by fWAR and nine of them are either international signings or high school picks. Extend it to the top 30 and it's 14. While the Royals haven't had success here, there is success to be had. I don't know if their pitching program now will get it done, but I know it's very different than what they even had in place when they drafted Frank Mozzicato a few years back.
I think Shields is a guy that you’re hoping to get in on early who would be a top 10 pick a year from now if he had the extra year of development and hopefully added velocity. He reclassified so at only 17 there’s a lot of room for growth but I like where he’s at more than our past pitchers and also a different development staff. This isn’t really a Mozzicato situation.
Thanks for the quick response. Yes, the regime change is starting to take hold so I do have hope for high schoolers. Guys like Foster Griffin Ashe Russell et.al didn't have a chance.
It's a tougher demographic to crack, but I also think you don't just ignore them. You just get better at developing them. We'll see if this group has. I think they will be more successful, but we just don't really know yet for sure.
Caglianone carried FLorida to College World Series. Kind of player ( like Brett) that fans who wouldn't normally come to Royals game will pay to see at home or on the road. Future of team with Witt and Cag in lineup is goood.
The entire season and possibly an entry into the post season depends on how much they can improve by the trade deadline. The team they have now isn't going anywhere but home when the season ends.
Kind of wild the tone here. I'm not saying you're wrong at all, but they lost 106 games last year and many will legitimately be annoyed if they don't make the playoffs. They need to make moves, but I also think we should reflect a bit on how crazy the turnaround has been.
I do give them credit for an amazing turnaround. Before the season started, I never dreamed they would even be in the playoff discussion, much less actually in the race. However, they were better earlier in the season than they are now and that probably built my hopes up to unreasonable levels. I'm still pulling for them to make it, but need some major help from outside the organization in my opinion to enter September still with a reasonable chance.
They've added two legit arms to the bullpen in the last week or so. That'll help. They need another consistent bat, maybe two. It's doable.
I mean, I’ll be a little disappointed as well if they don’t make it. But idk how anyone can think this is anything but a great year regardless. Even this weekend. We lost 2 of 3…but we got better for next year. They are pretty much better in every category - offense, pitching, defense, and bullpen. IDK don’t know how you expect them to be that much better to make the playoffs. It was always unrealistic. And they still have a shot. The rotation is so good…they have a legit shot if they can find a way to get better in the middle yet.
Next year is a long ways away. And I think you’ve even mentioned it. I could totally see a two steps forward (this year), one step back (next year) type of deal happen. Seems like that happens fairly often.
Only thing I'd argue with is that it was "always" unrealistic. They were 14 games over a third of the way through the season. It was realistic then.
Yeah, it’s probably not the best use of word. I agree. I just mean more it was unrealistic to think playoffs before the season. Even now it’s “realistic” at this point. But everything had to break their way….and if we are being honest….a ton of it has this year. No major injuries to key players yet, BWJ continued to ascend, Ragans continued to ascend, Lugo has been better than advertised, Singer is on a good year, Salvy having a great year at 34. We can not like the bullpen…but who they brought in HAS improved the pen over last year. Not everything, but a lot has gone right this year. Which is great don’t get me wrong.
I've been thinking this all year. I haven't gotten swept up in the whole playoff deal, because even a competitive team ( which they've proven to be ) is a BIG step forward. I'd love for them to make the playoffs, but won't be disappointed if they don't.
I am so very, very tired of Garrett Hampson running into stupid outs
Would you believe he's only made four outs on the bases? That stat doesn't count caught stealings or pickoffs and it's still a lot, but I would have guessed more.
Signing Harvey was an overpay, especially considering we still are up in the air on hitters 5-8. We hope to coach up a couple of his pitches, sounds a lot like Carlos Hernandez. Not the time to mortgage our future for a big maybe
In the last two and a half seasons, including a tough last month, Hunter Harvey has thrown 145 innings with 120 hits allowed and 12 home runs with a 3.17 ERA and 3.16 FIP to go with a 27.8% strikeout rate, 6.4% walk rate and a 1.08 WHIP. If your comparison is to Carlos Hernandez, I don’t know what to tell you. You can believe they gave up too much, but that’s a beyond silly comparison.