"Somehow the Royals have compiled a roster that includes three quality shortstop options. That’s insane." -- funny, but I was thinking the exact same thing as I was reading your piece. In fact, you had several other points that I have been thinking, including the fact that logjams sometimes disappear due to injuries. Depth is a REALLY good thing. I don't know if it is in Matheny's nature, but if Olivares and/or Isbell are hitting, I could live with Taylor being my back-up OF. I also really like the idea of a six-man rotation for some reason. I don't know if it is a positive or negative for a young rotation, but again, sometimes things sort themselves out. Random opinion: I am really looking forward to Carlos Hernandez this year. I loved a lot of what I saw from him last year. Despite some rookie growing pains, I think he looks like a future ace.
Ha! Glad we can share a baseball brain. And I'll go even further and say I've been thinking the same thing about Hernández. Of all the young arms that could be in the rotation, he's the one I'm the most excited about, and the one who, if I can get to the ballpark to watch him, I'll be there.
Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, Kris Bubic, Daniel Lynch, Carlos Hernandez - DL and CH are the only ones with all the letters required for "ACE" - just sayin'...
We all know Lynch struggled to say the least last year - but when the dust all settles I feel those two will be the shiniest of the group.
I’m with you, particularly regarding the centerfield situation. Would not surprise me if Taylor has an “injury” to start the year in order to see what Isbel and Olivares bring. You know what you get with Taylor, the others? Not so much.
Taylor just vibes "guy we thought we'd need so we signed him, but it turns out we don't so much." The defense will absolutely have a place in center at The K. But the potential from either Isbel and Olivares really demand a long look. Especially at this point in the rebuild.
I find myself having 2011 flashbacks where I'm insanely excited to watch the young guys across the board. Let's see what they have.
I see lots of 2011, 2012, and even (dare I say it) 2013 parallels with what we are starting to see. Here’s hoping we don’t have to buy a Cueto or Zobrist in a couple years to put us over the top.
DH...one who hits, Dozier...one who doesnt hit...we will see what happens but they can't go with him again and then at the end of the year have him tell us he was hurt.
The thumb injury clearly impacted him. The collision with Abreu didn't help. Most of the projections have him a league-average bat, but there's no reason to think he couldn't slug ~.450 with a decent OBP. There's utility in that for the bottom half of the order.
Best defensive infield: Witt 3B, Mondesi SS, Lopez 2B
Safest every day infield: Witt 3B, Lopez SS, Merrifield 2B, Mondesi UTL
The lineup I want to see: Rivera 3B, Witt SS, Lopez 2B, Mondesi UTL
I might be the biggest Emanuel Rivera fan in KC. I really believe his injury after getting called up really sapped his power an production. If he comes close to replicating his 2021 AAA numbers, .285/.347/.584 I really want to see him back at 3B for an extended look.
Can’t say I share your Rivera enthusiasm, he feels a lot like Kelvin Gutierrez 2.0 to me. But I hope you’re right. Even if he doesn’t ever play third base for the Royals, he’d be valuable to somebody who would pay….
I think I roll with the "best defensive infield" in that case.
Rivera's Triple-A power was real, for sure. I'm not entirely sold on him as an everyday guy and even so, there are just too many ahead of him. But he's a good guy to have in the org.
The Royals clearly don't think Rivera has much potential (which is a shame). If they did, I believe they would have put BWJ at SS and Mondesi at 3B w Rivera available to spell Mondesi for "rest" and the inevitable injury.
I agree. They said Mondesi can't stay healthy then said oh but we will play him everyday at SS just like before. What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
"Somehow the Royals have compiled a roster that includes three quality shortstop options. That’s insane." -- funny, but I was thinking the exact same thing as I was reading your piece. In fact, you had several other points that I have been thinking, including the fact that logjams sometimes disappear due to injuries. Depth is a REALLY good thing. I don't know if it is in Matheny's nature, but if Olivares and/or Isbell are hitting, I could live with Taylor being my back-up OF. I also really like the idea of a six-man rotation for some reason. I don't know if it is a positive or negative for a young rotation, but again, sometimes things sort themselves out. Random opinion: I am really looking forward to Carlos Hernandez this year. I loved a lot of what I saw from him last year. Despite some rookie growing pains, I think he looks like a future ace.
Ha! Glad we can share a baseball brain. And I'll go even further and say I've been thinking the same thing about Hernández. Of all the young arms that could be in the rotation, he's the one I'm the most excited about, and the one who, if I can get to the ballpark to watch him, I'll be there.
What's in a name?
Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, Kris Bubic, Daniel Lynch, Carlos Hernandez - DL and CH are the only ones with all the letters required for "ACE" - just sayin'...
We all know Lynch struggled to say the least last year - but when the dust all settles I feel those two will be the shiniest of the group.
Lynch has always had the highest upside of the group. This year will be crucial for him.
I’m with you, particularly regarding the centerfield situation. Would not surprise me if Taylor has an “injury” to start the year in order to see what Isbel and Olivares bring. You know what you get with Taylor, the others? Not so much.
Taylor just vibes "guy we thought we'd need so we signed him, but it turns out we don't so much." The defense will absolutely have a place in center at The K. But the potential from either Isbel and Olivares really demand a long look. Especially at this point in the rebuild.
I find myself having 2011 flashbacks where I'm insanely excited to watch the young guys across the board. Let's see what they have.
I see lots of 2011, 2012, and even (dare I say it) 2013 parallels with what we are starting to see. Here’s hoping we don’t have to buy a Cueto or Zobrist in a couple years to put us over the top.
I am so okay with the Taylor signing then and now. I'd love to see Beni, Oli and Whit manning the outfield to start the year.
DH...one who hits, Dozier...one who doesnt hit...we will see what happens but they can't go with him again and then at the end of the year have him tell us he was hurt.
The thumb injury clearly impacted him. The collision with Abreu didn't help. Most of the projections have him a league-average bat, but there's no reason to think he couldn't slug ~.450 with a decent OBP. There's utility in that for the bottom half of the order.
I had this epiphany the other day:
Best defensive infield: Witt 3B, Mondesi SS, Lopez 2B
Safest every day infield: Witt 3B, Lopez SS, Merrifield 2B, Mondesi UTL
The lineup I want to see: Rivera 3B, Witt SS, Lopez 2B, Mondesi UTL
I might be the biggest Emanuel Rivera fan in KC. I really believe his injury after getting called up really sapped his power an production. If he comes close to replicating his 2021 AAA numbers, .285/.347/.584 I really want to see him back at 3B for an extended look.
Can’t say I share your Rivera enthusiasm, he feels a lot like Kelvin Gutierrez 2.0 to me. But I hope you’re right. Even if he doesn’t ever play third base for the Royals, he’d be valuable to somebody who would pay….
I agree, Brad. He may be a nice guy to have in a deal to get some value back.
I think I roll with the "best defensive infield" in that case.
Rivera's Triple-A power was real, for sure. I'm not entirely sold on him as an everyday guy and even so, there are just too many ahead of him. But he's a good guy to have in the org.
The Royals clearly don't think Rivera has much potential (which is a shame). If they did, I believe they would have put BWJ at SS and Mondesi at 3B w Rivera available to spell Mondesi for "rest" and the inevitable injury.
I'm a big believer in Rivera. Willing to die on this hill.
This is a strong point.
I agree. They said Mondesi can't stay healthy then said oh but we will play him everyday at SS just like before. What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.