2023 – A new beginning for the Royals. Matt Quatraro era begins. A year to see which of our young players will make up the core going forward. Can Bobby Witt Jr become a superstar SS or will go to the hot corner? Will Brady Singer take the next step forward? Will Salvy be Salvy? Will Big Vin or Pratto take first base? Will they find a position for MJ? Who else emerges from the youth movement? Not to mention the development of the new downtown stadium.
Free Agents/Trades Acquisitions
Jordan Lyles, RHP
Ryan Yarbrough, LHP
Josh Taylor, LHP
Aroldis Chapman, LHP
Top 10 Prospects from Baseball America
1. Gavin Cross, OF
2. Cayden Wallace, 3B
3. Drew Waters, OF
4. Ben Kudrna, RHP
5. Frank Mozzicato, LHP
6. Maikel Garcia, SS
7. Tyler Gentry, OF
8. Nick Loftin, OF/3B
9. Angel Zerpa, LHP
10. Carter Jensen, C [Reply]
Our guys are absolutely smashing the ball, but have been unlucky as shit. It'll turn around and this team will play much better and win more games.
We have 1 person that's at or above league average in BABIP, but everyone but Nicky Lopez and Shit Dozer have above league average exit velocity and hard hit%. Fucking MJ Melendez is knocking the cover off the ball 97.7 exit velocity and a 70%! hard hit rate, but has a sub .300 slg.
If they hit the ball like this, then this is gonna be a fun team. [Reply]
The most frustrating thing is that we already know/knew that half the guys in the lineup will never be better than mediocre players. If you're going to commit to a full-on youth movement, they'd better at least be legit and exciting prospects. And the few veterans that are sprinkled in better be respectable players.
My prediction is that, near the end of the season, they'll go on a run and convince the fans and FO that they've turned the corner. Then another offseason with minimal investment and more of the same crap next year. [Reply]
BREAKING: A Salt Lake City consortium led by the former owner of the Utah Jazz plans to pursue a Major League Baseball expansion franchise in the coming years, people involved with the project tell ESPN.
Originally Posted by BWillie:
I know its early but guess who leads the team in negative defensive war at -0.2
The generational talent of Bobby Witt Jr.
DFA Hunter Dozier. Bring up Garcia to play short.
Soon.
I'd give Witt until the ASB. I want a long, stable look at him playing SS and just SS.
So far, I don't think he's proclaiming "I'm your SS" with his defensive performance. He is so, so effective ranging back on the ball and tracking it in the air... but hasn't really stood out in other areas. I think your concerns about his defense are ultimately going to be proven true.
I think I'd be looking at him as a long-term CF option rather than 3B if SS ultimately ends up not working out (and right now, the trend line there is not good).
Sometimes guys have all the tools and lack the consistency to tap into them. That might be him. When those guys start on the dirt, they often end up in the outfield. Many CFs started their pro careers as SS.
Garcia is raking at Omaha and is looking more like a legitimate + bat every day.
The Royals aren't going anywhere any time soon, so they might as well give every decision rope until sufficient data exists for decision making. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RaidersOftheCellar:
The most frustrating thing is that we already know/knew that half the guys in the lineup will never be better than mediocre players. If you're going to commit to a full-on youth movement, they'd better at least be legit and exciting prospects. And the few veterans that are sprinkled in better be respectable players.
My prediction is that, near the end of the season, they'll go on a run and convince the fans and FO that they've turned the corner. Then another offseason with minimal investment and more of the same crap next year.
I'm gonna give them a bit more time, since you know, they're only 7% through the season. Were basically through 5 quarters of football. You can't make kind of decision just yet. [Reply]
BREAKING: A Salt Lake City consortium led by the former owner of the Utah Jazz plans to pursue a Major League Baseball expansion franchise in the coming years, people involved with the project tell ESPN.
The best thing going for Salt Lake City's bid will be Seattle's desire to have closer opponents since the Mariners lead the majors in travel miles by far.
But I still see Las Vegas, Nashville and Charlotte ahead of them in terms of desirably. [Reply]