Renfroe is a real drag on the Royals! Thank goodness Waters is hitting 0.280+ and can run. He should be playing regularly in either LF or RF. There is still a guy at AA that is hitting over 0.300 and hit another tape measure homer several days ago. He needs to be promoted to AAA soon!!!
Actually the Rockies did it a couple weeks ago, so the Rangers were lagging behind them. But if you're talking about major league teams, yeah, the Rangers were number one. They feel like they're a bit concerned about the makeup of their team with dumping Taveras and the hitting coach firing. I could see that going off the rails, but they also have so much talent that they could reel off a similar run to what the Royals have. I've said it before, maybe to you, but I think every team in the AL is capable of losing 8 of 10 and every team but the White Sox (for now) is capable of winning 8 of 10.
David, any thoughts on the Royals claiming Leody Taveras? I believe they should be doing cartwheels to grab him, it's time for Renfroe to be DFA'd. However, I am worried with the recent surge they will be too complacent or place more value on not disrupting the clubhouse. His contract at >$4m may be hefty, but perhaps the Rangers would eat some $'s for a low A prospect.
If they claim him, I won't be upset or anything, but he hasn't hit since 2023 and the metrics are pretty brutal. He's literally done nothing well offensively other than run. The same was true last year. He's only 26 and there are worse ways things than to pick up a post-hype prospect, but big meh to me.
If the KCR hitting and scouting staff had as much success as their pitching staff I would say go for Taveras otherwise I'm not sure they can pull potential out of him.
I think the Royals might just be a team with elite pitching and an inconsistent offense.
Kind of like last year, but the pitching is better (thanks Erceg, Harvey, Lynch, and Estévez!) and the offense should be slightly less inconsistent with India at the top.
Yes, they struggled and BAD to start the year and because it was the start everyone wondered if it was the new reality or just one of those slumps. I think the last week or so proves it was an extraordinary slump.
They'll lose some games where they get shut out, but I think they're gonna win a lot of 2-0 and 3-1 games, too.
I generally agree with that. My concern in the short long-term (i.e. the rest of this season) is why the slumps lasted so long, if they are actually over. And then how do you stop that from happening again? The big thing last year with the offense was they didn't really slump together for that long. There were 8-12 games here and there before September, but the reason they scored runs is that Witt hit all season long and then there were always two or three others guys going. Sometimes it was Vinnie and Salvy. Sometimes it was Renfroe and Garcia. Sometimes it was Massey and Melendez. And there were other various conversations. If they can figure out how to minimize these and not have them last 20-25 games, they'll be fine. If they can figure out how to stagger things and not let it impact the entire team, they might win 90+ games.
My other thought is that the first 20 some games of the season was perhaps the toughest stretch of baseball the Royals will have to play, culminating in that road trip to Cleveland, Detroit, and NYC. Since they finished that trip they've been destroying everyone else.
Sure, I think that's a huge part of it, but the offense hasn't been doing the destroying for the most part. I just think it's important to diagnose the why because it's tough to see them holding up against another 30 games of next to nothing. My guess is it doesn't happen again, not to that extreme of a level, but I'd love to see an ability to come out of things a little quicker is all.
Let's not forget Cruz in that pitcher's 'thank you' mix. Only 9 games but he can only pitch when they give him the ball. A 0.75 whip and 0.00 plays.
I will say, he is one of those pitchers that I kind of keep waiting for the wheels to come off on (not sure why he gives me that feeling), but it never seems to happen.
I was at the game on Saturday night and had a few observations:
1. I got there early and watched Ragans throw a pen from about 10 feet away. The Royals had a Trackman set up and Ragans was sitting 95 without seemingly trying and without any signs of injury. He didn’t seem particularly happy, but I’m not sure if that’s just his demeanor, frustration with his command, or something else. Maybe something to keep an eye on. Unfortunately, loud music was playing right behind me so I couldn’t hear the conversations with Lorenzen or any of the coaches. No respect for the Baltimore correspondent for ItC!
2. Garcia really looks locked in.
3. The Orioles fans are unhappy and very frustrated. Lots of chatter about firing the manager, how they can’t hit lefties, and how their young players are bums (even Gunnar!). I wonder if the Os might be willing to sell one or more of those guys on the cheap (and look what Kyle Stowers is doing this season).
Based on my observations, Ragans NEVER seems to be "happy". You can take that a lot of ways, but over time I see it as an extremely competitive athlete.
Ragans is insanely competitive. When he's working, he looks unhappy. He's also fairly stoic anyway, but I don't get the sense he's unhappy at all. People think I'm unhappy all the time too. It's just my face.
Yep, Garcia looks great and the O's are in a world of hurt right now. I think they'll be fine long-term because they have so much talent, but they're running the risk of a lost season with this core.
A word of gratitude for the great write ups over the weekend and in depth comments/insights on the games. I look forward to the weekend in review every Monday. No better Royals coverage anywhere online!! Keep up the good work. We appreciate it!!
I also appreciate your reasonable approach to us (the fans) when we get on a kick to demote someone struggling or fire the hitting coach. It's baseball and there is a time for that. Seems like more fans want to do these things right away instead of being patient and letting the season unfold.
If you'd told me on Opening Day that on May 5, the Royals would have the same record as the A's, I don't know if I'd have been all that happy about it.
Great recap - and love the POTW - totally locked in. Was happy to see Jr. park one yesterday - seemed loose during the hit streak and a bit tighter for a few games. We are blessed to have him on our team for sure - Great hit streak BWJ! And great week MG! Many more to come for both of ya!
Vinny has such a beautiful swing. When they do slow motion replays on TV it's just poetry in motion. A nice smooth, long swing ala old timer Willie Stargell of the Pirates.
What is the origin of evaluating the team/players at 40 games? Is it anecdotal that 25% is a good benchmark? Is is based on evidence that suggests 75% left is enough time to make up any deficit? Not arguing that 40 games isn't appropriate, just curious.
Do you use 40 games David? On one hand, Massey has started to look a tad better so maaaaaybe patience pays off. 40 games just seems like a lot to me, but I have no data handy to form an educated opinion.
I honestly don’t know the origin, but I’d wager it has something to do with Memorial Day. The season used to start later and Memorial Day was probably not too far from the 40-game mark in many seasons. Just guessing though.
That said, yeah, it’s a big chunk of the season but not so much that you can’t cover any ground you’ve lost.
Still, different stats normalize at different rates. Chase rate normalizes pretty quickly. Batting average can take some time. So it kind of depends on the issues to determine if it’s too early to worry or the right time.
Love to see the offense erupt. If Vinnie and Mass can get going enough, to go along with BWJ and Maikel, you have the start of a decent lineup. Corner outfield bat at the deadline would be humongous. Hoping the Cardinals keep struggling (for multiple reasons) so Nootbaar becomes available.
I spend *way* too much time digging through non-contenders for who could help the Royals and, let me tell you, the Cardinals are the team the Royals most want to be bad come summer. There just isn't a lot else out there.
Renfroe is a real drag on the Royals! Thank goodness Waters is hitting 0.280+ and can run. He should be playing regularly in either LF or RF. There is still a guy at AA that is hitting over 0.300 and hit another tape measure homer several days ago. He needs to be promoted to AAA soon!!!
Waters has started 16 out of the last 17 games. He is playing regularly.
We have a winner in the "first team to fire their hitting coach" sweepstakes: Texas Rangers.
The Royals' coaching staff doesn't strike me as one with an itchy trigger-finger, but I'm sure that HR outburst didn't hurt Z's status.
Actually the Rockies did it a couple weeks ago, so the Rangers were lagging behind them. But if you're talking about major league teams, yeah, the Rangers were number one. They feel like they're a bit concerned about the makeup of their team with dumping Taveras and the hitting coach firing. I could see that going off the rails, but they also have so much talent that they could reel off a similar run to what the Royals have. I've said it before, maybe to you, but I think every team in the AL is capable of losing 8 of 10 and every team but the White Sox (for now) is capable of winning 8 of 10.
David, any thoughts on the Royals claiming Leody Taveras? I believe they should be doing cartwheels to grab him, it's time for Renfroe to be DFA'd. However, I am worried with the recent surge they will be too complacent or place more value on not disrupting the clubhouse. His contract at >$4m may be hefty, but perhaps the Rangers would eat some $'s for a low A prospect.
If they claim him, I won't be upset or anything, but he hasn't hit since 2023 and the metrics are pretty brutal. He's literally done nothing well offensively other than run. The same was true last year. He's only 26 and there are worse ways things than to pick up a post-hype prospect, but big meh to me.
If the KCR hitting and scouting staff had as much success as their pitching staff I would say go for Taveras otherwise I'm not sure they can pull potential out of him.
While I agree, you also can't shy away from talent. I just don't think he's good enough to worry about.
After looking at his underlying numbers his OBA is poor at best. Meh... for me
He almost sounds like another version of MJ.
No, MJ hits the ball hard. Or at least did before this season.
Are we just going to have to wait till Judge retires before Bobby wins an MVP? Dude is unreal.
Bobby's gotta worry about Maikel this year.
But seriously, yeah, it's ridiculous. Maybe there'll be voter fatigue one year.
I think the Royals might just be a team with elite pitching and an inconsistent offense.
Kind of like last year, but the pitching is better (thanks Erceg, Harvey, Lynch, and Estévez!) and the offense should be slightly less inconsistent with India at the top.
Yes, they struggled and BAD to start the year and because it was the start everyone wondered if it was the new reality or just one of those slumps. I think the last week or so proves it was an extraordinary slump.
They'll lose some games where they get shut out, but I think they're gonna win a lot of 2-0 and 3-1 games, too.
I generally agree with that. My concern in the short long-term (i.e. the rest of this season) is why the slumps lasted so long, if they are actually over. And then how do you stop that from happening again? The big thing last year with the offense was they didn't really slump together for that long. There were 8-12 games here and there before September, but the reason they scored runs is that Witt hit all season long and then there were always two or three others guys going. Sometimes it was Vinnie and Salvy. Sometimes it was Renfroe and Garcia. Sometimes it was Massey and Melendez. And there were other various conversations. If they can figure out how to minimize these and not have them last 20-25 games, they'll be fine. If they can figure out how to stagger things and not let it impact the entire team, they might win 90+ games.
My other thought is that the first 20 some games of the season was perhaps the toughest stretch of baseball the Royals will have to play, culminating in that road trip to Cleveland, Detroit, and NYC. Since they finished that trip they've been destroying everyone else.
Sure, I think that's a huge part of it, but the offense hasn't been doing the destroying for the most part. I just think it's important to diagnose the why because it's tough to see them holding up against another 30 games of next to nothing. My guess is it doesn't happen again, not to that extreme of a level, but I'd love to see an ability to come out of things a little quicker is all.
Let's not forget Cruz in that pitcher's 'thank you' mix. Only 9 games but he can only pitch when they give him the ball. A 0.75 whip and 0.00 plays.
I will say, he is one of those pitchers that I kind of keep waiting for the wheels to come off on (not sure why he gives me that feeling), but it never seems to happen.
He walks guys. It's always scary when pitchers walk guys. But he doesn't really give up hits either, so who knows?
I was at the game on Saturday night and had a few observations:
1. I got there early and watched Ragans throw a pen from about 10 feet away. The Royals had a Trackman set up and Ragans was sitting 95 without seemingly trying and without any signs of injury. He didn’t seem particularly happy, but I’m not sure if that’s just his demeanor, frustration with his command, or something else. Maybe something to keep an eye on. Unfortunately, loud music was playing right behind me so I couldn’t hear the conversations with Lorenzen or any of the coaches. No respect for the Baltimore correspondent for ItC!
2. Garcia really looks locked in.
3. The Orioles fans are unhappy and very frustrated. Lots of chatter about firing the manager, how they can’t hit lefties, and how their young players are bums (even Gunnar!). I wonder if the Os might be willing to sell one or more of those guys on the cheap (and look what Kyle Stowers is doing this season).
Based on my observations, Ragans NEVER seems to be "happy". You can take that a lot of ways, but over time I see it as an extremely competitive athlete.
Ragans is insanely competitive. When he's working, he looks unhappy. He's also fairly stoic anyway, but I don't get the sense he's unhappy at all. People think I'm unhappy all the time too. It's just my face.
Yep, Garcia looks great and the O's are in a world of hurt right now. I think they'll be fine long-term because they have so much talent, but they're running the risk of a lost season with this core.
HI David,
A word of gratitude for the great write ups over the weekend and in depth comments/insights on the games. I look forward to the weekend in review every Monday. No better Royals coverage anywhere online!! Keep up the good work. We appreciate it!!
I also appreciate your reasonable approach to us (the fans) when we get on a kick to demote someone struggling or fire the hitting coach. It's baseball and there is a time for that. Seems like more fans want to do these things right away instead of being patient and letting the season unfold.
I appreciate that! I definitely try to stay pretty balanced on here. I'm not always that way when watching the games haha.
If you'd told me on Opening Day that on May 5, the Royals would have the same record as the A's, I don't know if I'd have been all that happy about it.
Great recap - and love the POTW - totally locked in. Was happy to see Jr. park one yesterday - seemed loose during the hit streak and a bit tighter for a few games. We are blessed to have him on our team for sure - Great hit streak BWJ! And great week MG! Many more to come for both of ya!
Hopefully they're fighting over player of the week all season long!
Predictions for POTW this week? I'm going Vinnie. I probably just cursed him, though.
lol - we're gonna be alright if it's Pasquatch for sure - as he goes, we go. I think you're spot on - so that's a double reversal - no curse!
This makes perfect sense to me by the Rules of Cursing.
Vinny has such a beautiful swing. When they do slow motion replays on TV it's just poetry in motion. A nice smooth, long swing ala old timer Willie Stargell of the Pirates.
I mentioned Stargell today on into the fountains lol
What is the origin of evaluating the team/players at 40 games? Is it anecdotal that 25% is a good benchmark? Is is based on evidence that suggests 75% left is enough time to make up any deficit? Not arguing that 40 games isn't appropriate, just curious.
Do you use 40 games David? On one hand, Massey has started to look a tad better so maaaaaybe patience pays off. 40 games just seems like a lot to me, but I have no data handy to form an educated opinion.
I honestly don’t know the origin, but I’d wager it has something to do with Memorial Day. The season used to start later and Memorial Day was probably not too far from the 40-game mark in many seasons. Just guessing though.
That said, yeah, it’s a big chunk of the season but not so much that you can’t cover any ground you’ve lost.
Still, different stats normalize at different rates. Chase rate normalizes pretty quickly. Batting average can take some time. So it kind of depends on the issues to determine if it’s too early to worry or the right time.
Love to see the offense erupt. If Vinnie and Mass can get going enough, to go along with BWJ and Maikel, you have the start of a decent lineup. Corner outfield bat at the deadline would be humongous. Hoping the Cardinals keep struggling (for multiple reasons) so Nootbaar becomes available.
I spend *way* too much time digging through non-contenders for who could help the Royals and, let me tell you, the Cardinals are the team the Royals most want to be bad come summer. There just isn't a lot else out there.