Some days, it’s nearly impossible to see a world where more than one or two players on this current Royals team are part of an actually competitive Royals team. Other days, you can see a path. And then other days, it feels like there’s actually something there. I think back to the series win against the Padres and the one against the White Sox. Those were nice to see and I certainly won’t complain about such a rarity, but even in those, I didn’t really see them for much more than a bit of a fluke. And then there was this past weekend. It was a losing weekend…again. But in a losing weekend, I personally felt better about the organization than I’ve felt basically all year.
If Perez needs to go to the IL, I'm not sure what other option they have at this point. I guess they could get Melendez back behind the plate, but that seems like a poor idea after he hasn't been there in months now.
That said, I'll believe Salvy goes to the IL when I see the announcement that he went to the IL. Not that it's not possible, but it takes a lot to knock that guy out.
I think it was a pretty positive weekend all in all. I will say, if Ragans can stay healthy…a few years of him at 99 mph for 3 more months of Chapman makes sense. IDK if he can actually stay in the starting rotation. But I do think he can definitely be in the bullpen and be most of what Chapman actually gave you. That doesn’t seem like that big a stretch actually. Now, maybe TX knows something we don’t and him staying healthy is the rub. Only time will tell but feel better about that move after seeing more.
I'm not sure if he can or can't stay healthy in the rotation, but it was a good first try for him for sure. Even if he's more 95-97 than 98s and 99s, that's fine. I want to see a new breaking ball, like I wrote, but I'm more than pleased with that showing. Roni Cabrera hasn't missed a beat either, though it's the Dominican Summer League, so I'm not going to throw a parade for that. But you're right. Even if Ragans proves he can't start, you at least feel good about a flame thrower in the bullpen.
Singer, Ragans, Lynch, Castillo, Cox, and Bowlan isn't going (following a fingers-crossed move-out trade deadline) isn't gonna win any titles, but it would be fun to watch over the next few months.
Honestly anything that involves young guys who *could* be part of something in the future is going to be infinitely better than guys who have zero shot. I'm fine with them doing whatever until the deadline, but once August 1 hits, if (name redacted) isn't moved, he's in the bullpen. That's how I'd run things.
Most definitely. Pitch Lyles, Yarborough, and Grienke (if possible) for two more weeks, then move them all to nonessential roles. Same goes for anyone else who won't be here in May... Cuas (a nice story, but meh), Wittgren, Clarke, Blanco, Duffy, and even Oliveras. It's time to see what other guys can do.
Agreed. Though I don't care quite as much about guys like Blanco, Duffy and Olivares just because I'd rather have guys playing every day, so if that has to be at Omaha, so be it. Someone has to sit on the bench.
First, I was highly critical of the draft. I didn’t like the Mitchell pick but then I did a few things. Looked back at the first mocks put together and the industry was really high on Mitchell going back to last summer and considering the money saved that will hopefully go to other players down the line I turned out ok with their draft. I especially liked the Hunter Owens pick.
Next, Ontiveros owned up to the risky prospect of taking HS C which made me think the organization isn’t as tone deaf as I initially thought. Maybe things are occurring behind the scenes that are truly better and maybe GMDM’s top down approach had really worn out it’s welcome.
Also, Bleacher Report put Mozzicato on their updated top 100. May seem dumb but that progress shows me something.
Finally, the way that Marsh pitched and the way Witt hit I can see the outlines faintly in the future. So far, all I can really see for the next competitive Royals club is Maikel, Vinnie, Witt, and Salvy. Waters is showing some possibilities but needs to tone down the Ks. I was big on Pratto but am accepting it was small sample BABIP theater and I’ve been out on MJ since Toronto of last year. Same with, Singer.
I think, as with everything, time tames the takes. Whether you love something or hate something, having a chance to step back will make you naturally move much more toward the middle. I'm still not a fan of the Mitchell pick because I would have handled it differently, but I also recognize both that I believe the high school catcher thing only has so much value in a discussion and that Mitchell is an incredibly talented player. And I can unequivocally tell you that things are better behind the scenes and they're making a lot of progress.
I think we'll have a much better idea in about two and a half months who is part of the future than we do today and we have a much better idea today than we did three months ago. It's like I've said. If they utilize the season the way they should have utilized the last couple, there can be success found no matter how few wins. The next step is they need to do something with those evaluations, but that's something we can't really judge for a few more months.
BWJ continues to stay hot and looks like he could be that Superstar we need - one who can put a team on his back for a few weeks at a time, 4-5 times a year. Man, that would be fun.
The Ragans debut was sizzling - I'll take it. I'm confused on his contract though - he was picked in the first round of 16 - but (with arbitration) is under team control until 2029 when he'll be 31? What gives?
Speaking of trades - are we done? All seems quiet on the Midwestern front... Care to tell us what to expect, drop a tease, show us a card?
Your arbitration clock doesn't start until hitting the big leagues, so he didn't come up until last year and didn't even accumulate a full year, so that's why he has so much time left.
On the trade front, it's currently pretty quiet everywhere. The draft and the break slowed quite a bit down, but I'd expect a lot of rumors to start flying here any minute and I don't believe the Royals are done. I'd say it's 98% Barlow is traded and then I think any of Lopez, Lyles, Olivares and Duffy could easily be moved and maybe a surprise or two.
Any chance we'll see a Porter call up with Perez taking a short break for a hamstring?
If Perez needs to go to the IL, I'm not sure what other option they have at this point. I guess they could get Melendez back behind the plate, but that seems like a poor idea after he hasn't been there in months now.
That said, I'll believe Salvy goes to the IL when I see the announcement that he went to the IL. Not that it's not possible, but it takes a lot to knock that guy out.
I think it was a pretty positive weekend all in all. I will say, if Ragans can stay healthy…a few years of him at 99 mph for 3 more months of Chapman makes sense. IDK if he can actually stay in the starting rotation. But I do think he can definitely be in the bullpen and be most of what Chapman actually gave you. That doesn’t seem like that big a stretch actually. Now, maybe TX knows something we don’t and him staying healthy is the rub. Only time will tell but feel better about that move after seeing more.
I'm not sure if he can or can't stay healthy in the rotation, but it was a good first try for him for sure. Even if he's more 95-97 than 98s and 99s, that's fine. I want to see a new breaking ball, like I wrote, but I'm more than pleased with that showing. Roni Cabrera hasn't missed a beat either, though it's the Dominican Summer League, so I'm not going to throw a parade for that. But you're right. Even if Ragans proves he can't start, you at least feel good about a flame thrower in the bullpen.
Singer, Ragans, Lynch, Castillo, Cox, and Bowlan isn't going (following a fingers-crossed move-out trade deadline) isn't gonna win any titles, but it would be fun to watch over the next few months.
Honestly anything that involves young guys who *could* be part of something in the future is going to be infinitely better than guys who have zero shot. I'm fine with them doing whatever until the deadline, but once August 1 hits, if (name redacted) isn't moved, he's in the bullpen. That's how I'd run things.
Most definitely. Pitch Lyles, Yarborough, and Grienke (if possible) for two more weeks, then move them all to nonessential roles. Same goes for anyone else who won't be here in May... Cuas (a nice story, but meh), Wittgren, Clarke, Blanco, Duffy, and even Oliveras. It's time to see what other guys can do.
Agreed. Though I don't care quite as much about guys like Blanco, Duffy and Olivares just because I'd rather have guys playing every day, so if that has to be at Omaha, so be it. Someone has to sit on the bench.
I’m a fan of Bomby Witt Jr.
I can’t agree more about feeling better all year.
First, I was highly critical of the draft. I didn’t like the Mitchell pick but then I did a few things. Looked back at the first mocks put together and the industry was really high on Mitchell going back to last summer and considering the money saved that will hopefully go to other players down the line I turned out ok with their draft. I especially liked the Hunter Owens pick.
Next, Ontiveros owned up to the risky prospect of taking HS C which made me think the organization isn’t as tone deaf as I initially thought. Maybe things are occurring behind the scenes that are truly better and maybe GMDM’s top down approach had really worn out it’s welcome.
Also, Bleacher Report put Mozzicato on their updated top 100. May seem dumb but that progress shows me something.
Finally, the way that Marsh pitched and the way Witt hit I can see the outlines faintly in the future. So far, all I can really see for the next competitive Royals club is Maikel, Vinnie, Witt, and Salvy. Waters is showing some possibilities but needs to tone down the Ks. I was big on Pratto but am accepting it was small sample BABIP theater and I’ve been out on MJ since Toronto of last year. Same with, Singer.
I think, as with everything, time tames the takes. Whether you love something or hate something, having a chance to step back will make you naturally move much more toward the middle. I'm still not a fan of the Mitchell pick because I would have handled it differently, but I also recognize both that I believe the high school catcher thing only has so much value in a discussion and that Mitchell is an incredibly talented player. And I can unequivocally tell you that things are better behind the scenes and they're making a lot of progress.
I think we'll have a much better idea in about two and a half months who is part of the future than we do today and we have a much better idea today than we did three months ago. It's like I've said. If they utilize the season the way they should have utilized the last couple, there can be success found no matter how few wins. The next step is they need to do something with those evaluations, but that's something we can't really judge for a few more months.
BWJ continues to stay hot and looks like he could be that Superstar we need - one who can put a team on his back for a few weeks at a time, 4-5 times a year. Man, that would be fun.
The Ragans debut was sizzling - I'll take it. I'm confused on his contract though - he was picked in the first round of 16 - but (with arbitration) is under team control until 2029 when he'll be 31? What gives?
Speaking of trades - are we done? All seems quiet on the Midwestern front... Care to tell us what to expect, drop a tease, show us a card?
Your arbitration clock doesn't start until hitting the big leagues, so he didn't come up until last year and didn't even accumulate a full year, so that's why he has so much time left.
On the trade front, it's currently pretty quiet everywhere. The draft and the break slowed quite a bit down, but I'd expect a lot of rumors to start flying here any minute and I don't believe the Royals are done. I'd say it's 98% Barlow is traded and then I think any of Lopez, Lyles, Olivares and Duffy could easily be moved and maybe a surprise or two.
Ah ha - I thought there was some age component to eligibility as well, not sure where that got in my mind.
I'll miss Barlow and his locks (both of em), but let's cash that chip while it still has value. Carlos - you're up next!
Yeah, they discussed something age-related during the lockout and those negotiations but never got anywhere.