On Tuesday night Yarbrough completely lost the strike zone, was getting bombed, and Quatraro let him throw 80 pitches. The very next night Greinke was hanging up zeros and was only permitted 44 pitches. What, exactly, is the overriding philosophy here?
It certainly worked out on Wednesday night but if you keep changing pitchers like that it won't take too long to find someone who will give up some runs, and quite possibly a lot of them.
It feels better. Glad you have something positive to write about. It’s a little hard for me to get worked up one way or the other on managerial moves with a team this bad. I don’t have any issue with pulling Greinke that early…and more than anything it’s an acknowledgement that they view him as a five and dive guy. Which is probably one of the only good assessments they’ve made so far this year at the big league level. Actually, bringing up Fermin is the second one and finally putting a stake in the ground with Melendez that he is your right fielder. It shouldn’t take 40 games to do these things. But at least it is done now and hopefully he can focus on hitting cause that needs improvement. Third is….Pratto and Garcia need to stay on the infield. That was the best looking defense they have played all year (i don’t catch every game). One of my frustrations is all the talk about being more like the Rays…but not actually doing some of the things the Rays do. I’m curious if this is Q telling Picollo…this needs to happen or not. I’m not a believer in using the same lineup everyday. Its not really a thing with MLB caliber hitters. I am however, a big believer, in your best players not being UTILITY players. If Pratto is your best first baseman, play him at first. If Salvy is your best catcher just let him catch. If Melendez is your best right fielder just let him play outfield. They have done it with every single guy….and I don’t think it is a coincidence that they have there best game with the best defensive lineup on the field and guys playing their best positions. IDK that they will hit enough, I sure as heck don’t think they are going to pitch enough…but if we have gotten to the point of not jerking these guys out of position…I’ll finally way too late….take it.
For the record I couldn't agree with you more about the need to sign Vinnie long-term. I also agree that Q used Chapman at exactly the right time. But back to Zack...
I understand that on average he struggles more the third time through the lineup. But last night was hardly an average night for Zack. He was on a roll like we haven't seen from him in quite a while. Q should have ridden that wave for all it was worth. He's lucky it worked out that well because many times it won't.
If it were any other starter on the staff I would have been 100% on board: "Get him out of there before something bad happens." But Zack isn't just any other starter.
That's a very fair point and if the Royals had even an average starting five it would be irrefutable. But with this bunch he sticks out like a sore thumb even at his advanced age.
I LOVED last night's game! I'm wondering when Nicky comes back, if perhaps Dozier's days may be numbered. How can you send Garcia back with the way he's playing? He seems like a huge upgrade from Dozier. Yes, I know it's only been a couple games, but still. I'm skeptical that the team will continue playing this way (that seems quite impossible actually), but it's nice to see that they have the capability to play the game well. Nice analysis on the Greinke move. I was surprised that they pulled him with so few pitches thrown, but after reading your analysis, it does make sense, and it was obviously the right move.
Last night's game showed what can happen when everything goes right. While these guys are still young--only ONE player in the lineup last night had over 765 career PA coming into the game--these games are going to be somewhat sporadic, but it shows that it IS in there. In a strange way, I'm actually a little glad that Salvador Perez wasn't really involved in the offense last night. There's going to be a sad day a few years down the road where he's not there at all (and that will be sad, make no mistake).
I know that 31-game paces aren't exactly trustworthy, but it is still notable that Vinnie P. is up to 17 XBH this year, which would put him on a pace of 89. The Royals' team record is 86, and that's stood since 1982 (McRae). Could it happen?
In his post game comments on the broadcast Q said the reason they pulled ZK was exactly the reason you brought up, David. I have been flipping this crazy idea around in my head all year, but am going to throw it out there now. As well as ZK pitchers at home, and so terrible on the road, would it be crazy fanagle the pitching around and pitch him only at home. I know its probably crazy, but so far he done nothing on the road. Please don't bury me too bad.
Baseball Savant has Pratto at a sprint speed at 18th percentile, so yeah, he's slower than I thought. Pratto has a great glove, no doubt. If Nick keeps hitting at an above 100 OPS+, then the glove plays, but your 1B has to hit... Hopefully he can keep it up. One of many problems with the Royals is that their best bats seem to all play the same positions. Sal when not catching has to DH. 1B is his only other potential position. Vinnie 1B and DH. Pratto 1B, tho he does seem to play a decent corner OF. At SS, Witt, Garcia, and Nicky who can provide gold glove defense. Olivares... should be a DH.
I know the "third time through the order" problem, but I've wondered if there's any research showing if it's because the batters have likely seen the entire repertoire for that game OR if it's because the pitcher is tired. Probably both, right?
I would like to apply for citizenship in the Pasquanation.
That play by Pratto is the reason I was confused when people were talking about bringing him up and having him DH or play in the outfield. Huh? Pratto is an elite defender at 1B. Vinnie is fine there but I want Pratto at 1B and Vinnie at DH for the next 5 years.
Nice game for sure...Vinnie is the real deal...wonder what the scouts think now...I recall reading about him when he was drafted....he could hit then, but just didn't tic all the "beauty boxes"....
Once hunter and JBJ are gone this team will have the makeup and identity I am looking for...Go Royals!
I will die on the hill that Q is a good manager who has been dealt a poor hand with the roster of muck he’s been given. He’s made a lot of moves that have really stuck out to me. This is the second time (that I remember) that Chapman showed up to our down the toughest part of the lineup (the Angels win vs Trout/Ohtani/Rendon was the other). Making the decision to sit Greinke. The lineup shuffling.
Q can’t help that this roster has Dozier and Lyles and Massey on it.
On Tuesday night Yarbrough completely lost the strike zone, was getting bombed, and Quatraro let him throw 80 pitches. The very next night Greinke was hanging up zeros and was only permitted 44 pitches. What, exactly, is the overriding philosophy here?
It certainly worked out on Wednesday night but if you keep changing pitchers like that it won't take too long to find someone who will give up some runs, and quite possibly a lot of them.
It feels better. Glad you have something positive to write about. It’s a little hard for me to get worked up one way or the other on managerial moves with a team this bad. I don’t have any issue with pulling Greinke that early…and more than anything it’s an acknowledgement that they view him as a five and dive guy. Which is probably one of the only good assessments they’ve made so far this year at the big league level. Actually, bringing up Fermin is the second one and finally putting a stake in the ground with Melendez that he is your right fielder. It shouldn’t take 40 games to do these things. But at least it is done now and hopefully he can focus on hitting cause that needs improvement. Third is….Pratto and Garcia need to stay on the infield. That was the best looking defense they have played all year (i don’t catch every game). One of my frustrations is all the talk about being more like the Rays…but not actually doing some of the things the Rays do. I’m curious if this is Q telling Picollo…this needs to happen or not. I’m not a believer in using the same lineup everyday. Its not really a thing with MLB caliber hitters. I am however, a big believer, in your best players not being UTILITY players. If Pratto is your best first baseman, play him at first. If Salvy is your best catcher just let him catch. If Melendez is your best right fielder just let him play outfield. They have done it with every single guy….and I don’t think it is a coincidence that they have there best game with the best defensive lineup on the field and guys playing their best positions. IDK that they will hit enough, I sure as heck don’t think they are going to pitch enough…but if we have gotten to the point of not jerking these guys out of position…I’ll finally way too late….take it.
For the record I couldn't agree with you more about the need to sign Vinnie long-term. I also agree that Q used Chapman at exactly the right time. But back to Zack...
I understand that on average he struggles more the third time through the lineup. But last night was hardly an average night for Zack. He was on a roll like we haven't seen from him in quite a while. Q should have ridden that wave for all it was worth. He's lucky it worked out that well because many times it won't.
If it were any other starter on the staff I would have been 100% on board: "Get him out of there before something bad happens." But Zack isn't just any other starter.
That's a very fair point and if the Royals had even an average starting five it would be irrefutable. But with this bunch he sticks out like a sore thumb even at his advanced age.
I LOVED last night's game! I'm wondering when Nicky comes back, if perhaps Dozier's days may be numbered. How can you send Garcia back with the way he's playing? He seems like a huge upgrade from Dozier. Yes, I know it's only been a couple games, but still. I'm skeptical that the team will continue playing this way (that seems quite impossible actually), but it's nice to see that they have the capability to play the game well. Nice analysis on the Greinke move. I was surprised that they pulled him with so few pitches thrown, but after reading your analysis, it does make sense, and it was obviously the right move.
Last night's game showed what can happen when everything goes right. While these guys are still young--only ONE player in the lineup last night had over 765 career PA coming into the game--these games are going to be somewhat sporadic, but it shows that it IS in there. In a strange way, I'm actually a little glad that Salvador Perez wasn't really involved in the offense last night. There's going to be a sad day a few years down the road where he's not there at all (and that will be sad, make no mistake).
I know that 31-game paces aren't exactly trustworthy, but it is still notable that Vinnie P. is up to 17 XBH this year, which would put him on a pace of 89. The Royals' team record is 86, and that's stood since 1982 (McRae). Could it happen?
In his post game comments on the broadcast Q said the reason they pulled ZK was exactly the reason you brought up, David. I have been flipping this crazy idea around in my head all year, but am going to throw it out there now. As well as ZK pitchers at home, and so terrible on the road, would it be crazy fanagle the pitching around and pitch him only at home. I know its probably crazy, but so far he done nothing on the road. Please don't bury me too bad.
Baseball Savant has Pratto at a sprint speed at 18th percentile, so yeah, he's slower than I thought. Pratto has a great glove, no doubt. If Nick keeps hitting at an above 100 OPS+, then the glove plays, but your 1B has to hit... Hopefully he can keep it up. One of many problems with the Royals is that their best bats seem to all play the same positions. Sal when not catching has to DH. 1B is his only other potential position. Vinnie 1B and DH. Pratto 1B, tho he does seem to play a decent corner OF. At SS, Witt, Garcia, and Nicky who can provide gold glove defense. Olivares... should be a DH.
I know the "third time through the order" problem, but I've wondered if there's any research showing if it's because the batters have likely seen the entire repertoire for that game OR if it's because the pitcher is tired. Probably both, right?
I would like to apply for citizenship in the Pasquanation.
That play by Pratto is the reason I was confused when people were talking about bringing him up and having him DH or play in the outfield. Huh? Pratto is an elite defender at 1B. Vinnie is fine there but I want Pratto at 1B and Vinnie at DH for the next 5 years.
Nice game for sure...Vinnie is the real deal...wonder what the scouts think now...I recall reading about him when he was drafted....he could hit then, but just didn't tic all the "beauty boxes"....
Once hunter and JBJ are gone this team will have the makeup and identity I am looking for...Go Royals!
I will die on the hill that Q is a good manager who has been dealt a poor hand with the roster of muck he’s been given. He’s made a lot of moves that have really stuck out to me. This is the second time (that I remember) that Chapman showed up to our down the toughest part of the lineup (the Angels win vs Trout/Ohtani/Rendon was the other). Making the decision to sit Greinke. The lineup shuffling.
Q can’t help that this roster has Dozier and Lyles and Massey on it.