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Terrry Payne's avatar

Noah's arc is so much fun: from fan to 1-hit debut for his favorite team. Can't stop smiling.

Seems to me this team has a dynamic pitching staff overall that just seems to be in it's prime right

now and getting better (barring injuries), so a trade should be imminent, no?

Kept getting a Bud Black/Charlie Liebrandt vibe off Noah.

BWJ. Running out of words to describe his greatness. Get that man some help. NOW.

Also love Jake at the mike; love Ryan, especially with Hud, but Jake revs me up with his enthusiasm.

Blown opportunity with Waters and Renfroe K-ing just codified this team: terrific pitching and p--- poor hitting. Always tight, worry-making games. This is no baseball for old men.

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Craig Brown's avatar

That Liebrandt comp could work. Updated for 2025, of course.

I'm with you in thinking that trade explorations should be well underway at this point. I think that if Wright shows he's back (a large IF), then something has to happen.

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Patrick Glancy's avatar

I'm not a St. Jo native, but I grew up near it on the KS side— it was our go-to for movies and shopping when I was a kid, and I actually lived there for a few years later in life. I tell you this not because I think it provides a special connection between me and Cameron, but it is notable because it's one of the few times I've felt perfectly at ease and not self-conscious about revealing my St. Jo connections, so that is an extraordinary achievement in it's own right.

If any real St. Jo people read this, I'm mostly kidding for comedic purposes— regardless of how weak the final comedic results are, and I'm willing to admit it's not my A material. So I'll just drop it and leave it at this— I was really excited to see Cameron's debut and he did his hometown and the whole area proud. I don't know what his role will be over the course of this year and beyond, but I hope we're talking about him in the same positive light for years to come.

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Craig Brown's avatar

Just a cool story for the kid and his family and his friends. And as they pointed out when highlighting Matt Price, the area scout who signed Cameron, there are more local guys in the pipeline. So hopefully some more fun stories are on the way.

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Patrick Glancy's avatar

I'm here for it.

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Hokius's avatar

The problem with demoting Cameron immediately to recall another reliever is that both of the obvious choices are unavailable due to the limits of the demotion/call-up that prevents the Royals from calling up Sisk or Bowlan unless there is an injury. Avila is the only other pitcher on the 40-man, and he just started two nights ago.

I just checked and I think there are only 39 guys on the 40-man roster, somehow? At least according to the Royals' 40-man roster on their website, but the question becomes who are they going to be adding?

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Craig Brown's avatar

Roster Resource has them at 40, which I think they've been at since spring training. The guy they could call up is Eric Certanola. I don't think he's ready, but he can be up as an emergency guy. Or they could just hang on for a couple more days and wait for Sisk to be eligible to return.

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Hokius's avatar

Yeah, I was sure they were at 40, too, but I have triple and quadruple checked and the Royals only seem to have 39 guys on their 40-man roster page.

Another option would seem to be transferring Marsh, McArthur, or Wright to the 60-day-IL if any of them are still a ways off.

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herbie's avatar

a am counting 40, has Avila been on there this whole time?

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Hokius's avatar

Avila has been on there since last year. There are 40 now, but they moved McArthur to the 60-day IL (so he's listed on the page, but not actually on the 40-man roster) and added Clarke.

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Craig Brown's avatar

But to use the 60-day IL, the 40-man needs to be full. Certanola is the guy who is listed at Fangraphs but not on the Royals page. Weirdness!

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Caleb Hawkins's avatar

I’m absolutely with you on Jake. I love his enthusiasm, he makes me happy just listening to him. I’m mixed about Ryan and Hud. I think that Ryan is good, and I usually like Hud… but sometimes he can get a bit too carried away with complementing the other team for my liking. He’s kinda a cliche machine at times, but he also kinda makes me feel like I’m watching the game with a grandparent, which can be comforting sometimes.

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Craig Brown's avatar

I was worried we were going to lose Jake to the Mets. Glad we got him when we did and hope he stays here for a long time.

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Jim McWilliams's avatar

If Wright looks solid (very iffy, I know), then it's high time for the front office to start trade talks, right? Surplus of starters & crying need for impact bats. I count eight big-league starters now: Ragans, Lugo, Wacha, Bubic, Lorenzen, Cameron, Wright, Marsh.

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Craig Brown's avatar

I'm not sure you can count Marsh as he's still trying to work his way back from his shoulder issue. And Wright isn't a sure thing for me. But! If those two guys do make their way back, then there is a definite surplus from which to work.

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herbie's avatar

I am also a big Eisenberg fan. I put on the audio of whichever broadcast he is on. My one criticism is that he seems to have a knack for putting the jinx on. This has been in the back of my mind since last season, but I quickly dismiss because there is no such thing, right? But my theory crept back again in Astros series when Jake said that the pitching had kept Alvarez quiet, Alvarez doubled on the next pitch and in same game would homer and get 3 ribbis. Yesterday in the 5th Jake heavily alluded to the no hitter, and Lowe immediately bounces a wormburner under Biggio's glove. This was scored an error on Biggio however, pretty sure because Jake didn't use the word "hit".

I think my written Hex on Jakes jinx will take care of it for rest of season. I am not sure what cosmic effect replying to this comment will have

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Craig Brown's avatar

Herbie, there's no such thing as an announcer jinx!

A newsletter writer jinx most definitely exists, though.

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Coach D for Defense's avatar

Idk if Jake jinx's more than Ryan and Hud. Remember Hud's 3 run HR call the other day - on the next pitch - yikes!

Huds my fave though.

The only issue I have with Eisenberg is it doesn't match the action on MLB.tv - so I pretty much have to not watch, which is simply not doable.

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Craig Brown's avatar

Syncing up the radio audio with picture has been an issue. I wish it worked better.

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Coach D for Defense's avatar

As a PSA to all your readers - mlbtv has a 35% military discount for vets and active duty. It's down 5% from last year but still a nice, welcome perk!

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Craig Brown's avatar

Thanks for that, Coach. I'll drop that in tomorrow's newsletter.

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MonoStereo's avatar

I always pause the radio audio on the app ( this won't work with a radio, obviously ) on the 1st pitch. When it happens on the tee vee, I un-pause. Works great.

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Coach D for Defense's avatar

Good pointer - gracias!!!

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Jim McWilliams's avatar

Yeah, I realize the question marks: Cameron (just one start), Wright & Marsh (injuries & nothing this year), but if the Royals don't improve offensively, then they won't contend this season.

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Craig Brown's avatar

Agree. You can't expect to win a ton of games like I noted where the offense is only generating two or three runs. They're still dead last in the majors in runs per game. That has to change.

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Jim McWilliams's avatar

Never mind. The offense is fine. LOL

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Coach D for Defense's avatar

Way to go Noah! I like the fearless approach and how he spoke in the post game interview saying playing with a defense like this behind him is fun. As a Clint Eastwood said, 'a man's got to know his limitations'. Noah didn't try and Randy Johnson anyone, just throw a strike with some movement and see what happens - impressive!

Love me a Wright update! Yeah, he only had the one season, but what a season and what a steal if he gets near to that.

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Craig Brown's avatar

When he said that, I thought I detected a bit of surprise (or envy) in his voice that this is how these guys play defense.

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Coach D for Defense's avatar

Very perceptive young Jedi! Either that or we're both hearing/imagining the same things lol

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Darin Watson's avatar

I'll add kudos to Jake Eisenberg. I really enjoy listening to him and he is quite good at describing the details. Maybe I'm projecting, but I feel like when he and Denny are working together, you can tell Denny is fond of him (I always felt like he just tolerated Steve Physioc). I can't think of a better stamp of approval.

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Craig Brown's avatar

Yes! Jake and Denny are a fun combo. They definitely enjoy each other.

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MonoStereo's avatar

I'm 100% in agreement with your take on Denny's take on Jake. Jake Take?

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