Trying to look at / for something positive. I think as a group Royals fans have always been told to look to next year. So we need to move beyond Eldred - remove his name from further discussion. How about a list of potential replacements. A group of people (candidates) from OUTSIDE the organization that have shown the ability change / shape / or fix a group of young pitchers that need help. Surely there are people out there that would welcome the challenge.
I think the Royals need to think outside the box and find a pitching coach whose resume isn’t “ex-major league starter.” There are a ton of extremely smart people out there who could contribute. Steeped not just in analytics but mechanics. But that’s a bold and risky move and thIs front offices doesn’t do bold or risky.
James Shields was a big help to the young pitchers when he joined the Royals in 2014. I think someone new like him might make a great pitching coach. I think he might be just what the young pitchers need.
Mr. B, ".. . they'll half-ass even abject wretchedness." Very well put with your usual style, but man it is PAINFUL to read that statement and know it is the absolute truth.
I'm comforted by the fact that they at least seem to have an analytics department that knows what the problems are. For a long time that wasn't true of the organization.
Just need to get some coaching that is willing and able to teach that to the players. They did it for hitting (seriously good game plans in addition to just general approach). Past time to do it for the pitching. Maybe they don't have anyone they feel is ready to promote?
The Royals truly are with the times when it comes to analytics and the department they’ve built. Some of that info is clearly making it’s way to the field. It’s one thing to say “throw more first-pitch strikes.” But when the coaching staff can’t translate information into action, it’s time to make a move.
I think your question is exactly why a move hasn’t happened. Being the Royals, the comfortable path is to promote from within. They don’t have that candidate at the moment. They’re going to have to go outside the organization.
Great stuff Craig. As you listen to what DM said in his statement about the organization wanting to make everyone to feel comfortable, it makes you wonder if that is why they won't fire Eldred. Maybe that is why ROH is still on this team taking up a roster spot as he rides the bench game after game. Maybe that is why they make so few trades. Kansas City deserves better than what we're getting out of this baseball organization. All we have to do is look across the parking lot to a team that wants to win, not just make people feel comfortable. Thanks Craig.
Appreciate the comment, Paul. I think their desire for comfort and their mentoring mindset plays a massive role in why they seem to be less transactional when it’s obvious that moves need to be made. While the desire for consistency and stability is understandable, it’s often a roadblock. It’s so frustrating.
Well stated, Craig. The evidence speaks for itself and a change (or many changes) is overdue. Also, have I not noticed the little fountain graphic dividing the sections before? That's a nice touch.
Craig, thanks for the article and summing up what we can all see with data and rankings. I knew they were bad but I didn't realize how bad it was compared to the rest of MLB. I think John Sherman wants changes on the pitching side throughout the org after the season. Paul Gibson will be retired and they will hire from outside the org someone to come in and become the Sr. Director of Player Development and Pitching Performance similar to what Alec Zumwalt does for the hitting side. Sherman knows that the Royals must have a pitching development pipeline like organizations such as Tampa, Cleveland, Miami, Milwaukee, LA Dodgers, etc. have. Once the Sr. Director position is filled, they can hire the ML Pitching Coach and all the other positions on the pitching side of the organization so they are one concise unit. I think Dayton and JJ like Cal and will move him back into an Assistant to the GM position.
Sounds like a solid road map to me. I think you hit on Cal’s status perfectly at the end. He’s not getting fired. He’s “stepping aside for another role in the organization.”
Trying to look at / for something positive. I think as a group Royals fans have always been told to look to next year. So we need to move beyond Eldred - remove his name from further discussion. How about a list of potential replacements. A group of people (candidates) from OUTSIDE the organization that have shown the ability change / shape / or fix a group of young pitchers that need help. Surely there are people out there that would welcome the challenge.
I think the Royals need to think outside the box and find a pitching coach whose resume isn’t “ex-major league starter.” There are a ton of extremely smart people out there who could contribute. Steeped not just in analytics but mechanics. But that’s a bold and risky move and thIs front offices doesn’t do bold or risky.
Agree - this is a group that too comfortable. The easy choice is to make no choice.
James Shields was a big help to the young pitchers when he joined the Royals in 2014. I think someone new like him might make a great pitching coach. I think he might be just what the young pitchers need.
Mr. B, ".. . they'll half-ass even abject wretchedness." Very well put with your usual style, but man it is PAINFUL to read that statement and know it is the absolute truth.
Thanks, Terry. A frustrating season...again.
I'm comforted by the fact that they at least seem to have an analytics department that knows what the problems are. For a long time that wasn't true of the organization.
Just need to get some coaching that is willing and able to teach that to the players. They did it for hitting (seriously good game plans in addition to just general approach). Past time to do it for the pitching. Maybe they don't have anyone they feel is ready to promote?
The Royals truly are with the times when it comes to analytics and the department they’ve built. Some of that info is clearly making it’s way to the field. It’s one thing to say “throw more first-pitch strikes.” But when the coaching staff can’t translate information into action, it’s time to make a move.
I think your question is exactly why a move hasn’t happened. Being the Royals, the comfortable path is to promote from within. They don’t have that candidate at the moment. They’re going to have to go outside the organization.
Great stuff Craig. As you listen to what DM said in his statement about the organization wanting to make everyone to feel comfortable, it makes you wonder if that is why they won't fire Eldred. Maybe that is why ROH is still on this team taking up a roster spot as he rides the bench game after game. Maybe that is why they make so few trades. Kansas City deserves better than what we're getting out of this baseball organization. All we have to do is look across the parking lot to a team that wants to win, not just make people feel comfortable. Thanks Craig.
Appreciate the comment, Paul. I think their desire for comfort and their mentoring mindset plays a massive role in why they seem to be less transactional when it’s obvious that moves need to be made. While the desire for consistency and stability is understandable, it’s often a roadblock. It’s so frustrating.
Well stated, Craig. The evidence speaks for itself and a change (or many changes) is overdue. Also, have I not noticed the little fountain graphic dividing the sections before? That's a nice touch.
Thanks, Darin. Finally decided a little branding was in order. :)
It confuses me when you write about pitchers "falling behind 0-1"
Brain cramp. Fixed.
GMDM and MM both are playing for their future in MLB; I think only one of the two understands that. 🤔
Great breakdown. Agree with all your grades. Granted I don’t watch many of the games living in San Diego, I read every box and lots of articles.
I could only imagine what it must be like to actually WATCH these games regularly..
Thanks. I have to admit, there are probably better ways to spend a summer evening.
Craig, thanks for the article and summing up what we can all see with data and rankings. I knew they were bad but I didn't realize how bad it was compared to the rest of MLB. I think John Sherman wants changes on the pitching side throughout the org after the season. Paul Gibson will be retired and they will hire from outside the org someone to come in and become the Sr. Director of Player Development and Pitching Performance similar to what Alec Zumwalt does for the hitting side. Sherman knows that the Royals must have a pitching development pipeline like organizations such as Tampa, Cleveland, Miami, Milwaukee, LA Dodgers, etc. have. Once the Sr. Director position is filled, they can hire the ML Pitching Coach and all the other positions on the pitching side of the organization so they are one concise unit. I think Dayton and JJ like Cal and will move him back into an Assistant to the GM position.
Sounds like a solid road map to me. I think you hit on Cal’s status perfectly at the end. He’s not getting fired. He’s “stepping aside for another role in the organization.”