Here's a name I haven't heard in a long time: Joey Wiemer. A LONG time. And now people are already talking about when (not if?) MJ will be back? Haven't we learned anything over the last year+! Cags is a no-brainer, but they still need to "fix" at least 1 other OF spot...and that's if you acknowledge Isbel is here to stay in CF (which he has earned--to date).
I agree there's more to fix beyond just bringing Cags up. There's a reason you haven't heard about Wiemer. He's really scuffling at the plate: .159/.276/.239 with a 43 wRC+. Melendez will be up before Wiemer, but MJ is still finding his way.
Cags is the one guy in the system who has the potential to provide a bump. They're going to have to go outside the org to find more.
He had a good weekend...four hits with three home runs. The strikeouts are trending in the right direction. Still work to do as he's hitting .225/.264/.442 with a 77 wRC+. I haven't seen enough video to figure out what he's doing with his swing.
But why would the Angels do that trade? That's the problem with any trade involving Seth Lugo. Anyone who might be willing to part with a hitter probably doesn't need a rental pitcher
I think the chase rate can be a bit deceiving with Cags. This is somewhat anecdotal, as I haven't gone through every chase, but over his last week I was keeping a close eye and the majority of his chases were pitches in the shadow of the zone. And he wasn't whiffing on them, for the most part he was fouling them off.
That isn't to say he won't have his struggles in the bigs, even the best have slumps, but I'm not any more concerned about his chase rate than anything else.
I think he's made some massive improvements with pitch recognition and chase. The key for him, like any young player, will be to stay within himself when he hits that first rough patch, whenever that may be.
I feel like he learned a lot about the adjustments he needed to make in pro ball from his struggles in High-A at the end of last summer. He made those adjustments. And then some.
I share that concern. The Royals have kind of been forced into this move. Hope it works. It could take some time and more adjustments, but I’m optimistic.
It certainly doesn't help when two of your top three run producers go into cold storage. I'm not worried about Witt. I'm more confused by Perez than anything. The expected stats say he should be much more productive than he's been.
When do we see a complete lineup revamp now that Cags is up? 2 weeks to let him get his feet wet? Here is the lineup I would like to see most days.
3B Garcia
SS BWJ
1B Vinnie
C Salvy
RF Cags
2B Loftin
LF Waters
DH India
CF Isbel
If you want to argue India is getting comfortable and for the last 10 games or so has been doing his job I would entertain this lineup too:
DH India
SS BWJ
1B Vinnie
3B Garcia
RF Cags
C Salvy
LF Waters
2B Loftin
CF Isbel
What are your thoughts?
PS: I love Michael Massey. But I think he is the corresponding move when Cags gets officially added to the roster. I hope he can go to AAA and get his swing worked out.
I was actually thinking Cags fifth. Keeps that "cleanup pressure" off and splits the LH bats.
On the bottom lineup, I would maybe flip-flop Garcia and Perez. I know Sal is scuffling, but Garcia has done so well hitting lower in the lineup and he could provide some protection for Cags.
The Royals have already made the call for Cags. Blanco is going down. But I do think Massey needs a reset.
Massey needs Omaha. I like him too. I’m not happy that Cags is now going to get 1-1 with Zumwalt. He needs to go. Our offense is atrocious. We are making run of the mill pitchers look like Cy Young/Nolan Ryan on a regular basis
I’m not sold that the hitting coach is the issue. That always feels like a shuffling deck chairs sort of move. Then again, I can’t explain Massey’s slide.
This is what they needed to do. They have now made all the internal moves they can make and have two months before the trade deadline to see what kind of team they have and whether they show improvement, backslide, or stay the same.
If your not performing you either get rid of the ten+ who aren’t or replace the coach. Zumwalt crew didn’t hit the last month of last year, in the playoffs and for all this year except two-three week stretch. I say can the bum.
Here's a name I haven't heard in a long time: Joey Wiemer. A LONG time. And now people are already talking about when (not if?) MJ will be back? Haven't we learned anything over the last year+! Cags is a no-brainer, but they still need to "fix" at least 1 other OF spot...and that's if you acknowledge Isbel is here to stay in CF (which he has earned--to date).
I agree there's more to fix beyond just bringing Cags up. There's a reason you haven't heard about Wiemer. He's really scuffling at the plate: .159/.276/.239 with a 43 wRC+. Melendez will be up before Wiemer, but MJ is still finding his way.
Cags is the one guy in the system who has the potential to provide a bump. They're going to have to go outside the org to find more.
Is MJ trending up? I just saw he's hit 7 HRs in AAA and his OBP is around .700. Still striking out a lot, but his slug has improved over time.
He had a good weekend...four hits with three home runs. The strikeouts are trending in the right direction. Still work to do as he's hitting .225/.264/.442 with a 77 wRC+. I haven't seen enough video to figure out what he's doing with his swing.
MJ needs to stay in AAA or be released we do not need him wasting space in KC.
Here's an idea. Lugo for Mike Trout.between him and Cats, the lineup really improves, and you make room for a pitcher who will stay.
But why would the Angels do that trade? That's the problem with any trade involving Seth Lugo. Anyone who might be willing to part with a hitter probably doesn't need a rental pitcher
Have the Angels throw in about $160 million or so and you've got a deal!
I think the chase rate can be a bit deceiving with Cags. This is somewhat anecdotal, as I haven't gone through every chase, but over his last week I was keeping a close eye and the majority of his chases were pitches in the shadow of the zone. And he wasn't whiffing on them, for the most part he was fouling them off.
That isn't to say he won't have his struggles in the bigs, even the best have slumps, but I'm not any more concerned about his chase rate than anything else.
I think he's made some massive improvements with pitch recognition and chase. The key for him, like any young player, will be to stay within himself when he hits that first rough patch, whenever that may be.
I feel like he learned a lot about the adjustments he needed to make in pro ball from his struggles in High-A at the end of last summer. He made those adjustments. And then some.
I’m concerned it may be too early. And you never know other teams do it and it works out.
I share that concern. The Royals have kind of been forced into this move. Hope it works. It could take some time and more adjustments, but I’m optimistic.
Nobody seems to be talking about BWJ hitting 197 and Salvy 176 since May 10th. That’s been our biggest issue since the 16 wins in 18 games stretch.
It certainly doesn't help when two of your top three run producers go into cold storage. I'm not worried about Witt. I'm more confused by Perez than anything. The expected stats say he should be much more productive than he's been.
Agree
When do we see a complete lineup revamp now that Cags is up? 2 weeks to let him get his feet wet? Here is the lineup I would like to see most days.
3B Garcia
SS BWJ
1B Vinnie
C Salvy
RF Cags
2B Loftin
LF Waters
DH India
CF Isbel
If you want to argue India is getting comfortable and for the last 10 games or so has been doing his job I would entertain this lineup too:
DH India
SS BWJ
1B Vinnie
3B Garcia
RF Cags
C Salvy
LF Waters
2B Loftin
CF Isbel
What are your thoughts?
PS: I love Michael Massey. But I think he is the corresponding move when Cags gets officially added to the roster. I hope he can go to AAA and get his swing worked out.
I was actually thinking Cags fifth. Keeps that "cleanup pressure" off and splits the LH bats.
On the bottom lineup, I would maybe flip-flop Garcia and Perez. I know Sal is scuffling, but Garcia has done so well hitting lower in the lineup and he could provide some protection for Cags.
The Royals have already made the call for Cags. Blanco is going down. But I do think Massey needs a reset.
Massey needs Omaha. I like him too. I’m not happy that Cags is now going to get 1-1 with Zumwalt. He needs to go. Our offense is atrocious. We are making run of the mill pitchers look like Cy Young/Nolan Ryan on a regular basis
I’m not sold that the hitting coach is the issue. That always feels like a shuffling deck chairs sort of move. Then again, I can’t explain Massey’s slide.
That's funny; I told my wife yesterday the final score was "one-nil to the Detroit." Great minds...
Yesssss. “To the Detroit” is perfect.
Inept. The Royals lineup has been inept offensively.
This is what they needed to do. They have now made all the internal moves they can make and have two months before the trade deadline to see what kind of team they have and whether they show improvement, backslide, or stay the same.
Great point. Time to figure out if they’re buyers or sellers.
If your not performing you either get rid of the ten+ who aren’t or replace the coach. Zumwalt crew didn’t hit the last month of last year, in the playoffs and for all this year except two-three week stretch. I say can the bum.