Still early, but I think Mondesi has just about earned his way to the bench, where he could actually be a very valuable piece, given his base stealing ability, power potential, switch-hitter status and elite defense at 3 positions. I just think the swing and miss is what it is and he'll never reach his sky-high potential that he flashes for occasional stretches. That moves Nicky to SS, Whit to 2nd, Isbel starting in RF. Santana needs to sit more also and let Dozier play 1st for awhile, with Olivares at DH those days.
It feels like Matheny is almost being stubborn on the lineup out of spite, marching the same guys in the same order out there everyday.
I'm still trying to get over the Mondesi bunt attempts on Thursday.
I don't think it's Matheny being stubborn. Rather, I think it's the Royals way to take their time to make a move like that. But it is a bit frustrating to see Isbel and Olivares with 4 PAs between them in the season's first eight games.
Could be, but even if they want to give the so-called starters their "40 games" to see what they've got, there still should be room for occasional starts for the bench players (particularly if, in Isbel's case, that bench player is a top 10 prospect). I haven't checked but I would wager that every position player on the roster of the more consistently successful teams (Rays, Dodgers, Red Sox, etc.) has had at least one start by now to keep them fresh and engaged. I've always liked the Jim Leyland style of managing, where you use the entire roster, doubly so when you have a team like the Royals that doesn't have a single proven elite player beyond Salvy. You're not exactly benching Mike Trout to give Taylor or Santana or Whit a day off.
I'm not sure it's fallen from favor. Maybe a better question is why do the Royals consistently rank at the bottom percentage-wise of teams throwing the pitch?
Still early, but I think Mondesi has just about earned his way to the bench, where he could actually be a very valuable piece, given his base stealing ability, power potential, switch-hitter status and elite defense at 3 positions. I just think the swing and miss is what it is and he'll never reach his sky-high potential that he flashes for occasional stretches. That moves Nicky to SS, Whit to 2nd, Isbel starting in RF. Santana needs to sit more also and let Dozier play 1st for awhile, with Olivares at DH those days.
It feels like Matheny is almost being stubborn on the lineup out of spite, marching the same guys in the same order out there everyday.
Well said zdebman!!!
I'm still trying to get over the Mondesi bunt attempts on Thursday.
I don't think it's Matheny being stubborn. Rather, I think it's the Royals way to take their time to make a move like that. But it is a bit frustrating to see Isbel and Olivares with 4 PAs between them in the season's first eight games.
Could be, but even if they want to give the so-called starters their "40 games" to see what they've got, there still should be room for occasional starts for the bench players (particularly if, in Isbel's case, that bench player is a top 10 prospect). I haven't checked but I would wager that every position player on the roster of the more consistently successful teams (Rays, Dodgers, Red Sox, etc.) has had at least one start by now to keep them fresh and engaged. I've always liked the Jim Leyland style of managing, where you use the entire roster, doubly so when you have a team like the Royals that doesn't have a single proven elite player beyond Salvy. You're not exactly benching Mike Trout to give Taylor or Santana or Whit a day off.
Mr. B, why has the cutter fallen so fast from favour? It seems like only yesterday it was the "It" pitch
I'm not sure it's fallen from favor. Maybe a better question is why do the Royals consistently rank at the bottom percentage-wise of teams throwing the pitch?