Kris Bubic has announced his return to the rotation with authority. Plus, Bobby Witt Jr. is always on cycle watch and time is running out on MJ Melendez.
My favorite thing about Bubic right now is that his changeup has always been a weapon, but people always wondered if the fastball would be good enough for him to use it. Well now his fastball rates better by many of the metrics I can see on FanGraphs. You pointed out his changeup has a lot of extra drop. On the broadcast they reminded us that his high spin rate on the fastball means it has less drop than normal. Combine those two things with the deception of his delivery and oh mama. Good things are happening for my favorite pitcher.
Bubic has looked fantastic so far, but is it possible that part of his success right now is because there isn’t as much tape on him as the other starters in the Royals rotation?
I don't know if tape will help. These hitters recognize the pitch (the change) but just can't resist because it looks so good and then, when they swing, they can't make contact. He was filling the zone with the change, or just low and away. Hitting is hard.
MJM needs to go to Omaha today. The Royal are not doing him any favors by keeping him here. His confidence has to be shot and they are going to totally destroy his morale by keeping him here any longer. I would prefer Rave get a chance, but really bring up anyone to replace him at this point!!! Bubic is looking amazing after 2 starts!
He needs the Moustakas treatment. Although, I would think he would be down there longer. There's quite a bit of work to do—both with rebuilding the swing and the confidence.
Morning, Craig. I think you may mean “stopper” in the first line of the third paragraph rather than “starter”? This is the level of geekiness i have for your columns (and archives). Also, my guess is that MJ will play out the home stand in KC but the next road trip he makes is gonna be up I-29…..
The frustration for me is mounting with MJ. There is no reason to have him in the majors right now (I believe he has options). If anything, the dude needs some confidence and he will get none of that seeing major-league pitching. I've pretty much given up on the guy, but if he can show that he can mash in Omaha, I would be willing to see him one more time for an extended look.
Melendez has a couple of options remaining, so they're free to send him down. I'd also be willing to give him another look if he goes down and puts it together. But I really have to believe time is running out.
He's benefiting by the lack of better in-house options. Unless they swing a trade for an outfielder, he'll have another chance if he does rake in Omaha.
What a beautiful Sunday Bubic gave us. One could argue that Mountcastle wouldn't have been on 3rd to score if Renfroe had made a routine play, but to be fair there did seem to be a lot of shadows in the corner.
That outfield is tricky in the daytime. We've already seen several sun balls. Add in shadows in the corners on a day like yesterday and it can be treacherous.
A Nuke reference in the article and Balboni in the comments? CB is in midseason form!
I was thinking after KBs first start “hmmmm, wouldn’t it be interesting if the least heralded of that draft class turned out to be the top of the rotation guy”.
After yesterday; I’m thinking it even more. So quick question: who did you like the most? Full disclosure: I had KB 4th lol. And was just so sure Bowlan would be the man!
Hi there, Coach. I had Lynch as number one for sure. Then maybe Kowar/Singer/Bubic. Hell, I could've had Bowlan ahead of Bubic. Wild what some hard work and a desire to utilize different resources these players have at their disposal can do when they're looking for improvement.
My favorite thing about Bubic right now is that his changeup has always been a weapon, but people always wondered if the fastball would be good enough for him to use it. Well now his fastball rates better by many of the metrics I can see on FanGraphs. You pointed out his changeup has a lot of extra drop. On the broadcast they reminded us that his high spin rate on the fastball means it has less drop than normal. Combine those two things with the deception of his delivery and oh mama. Good things are happening for my favorite pitcher.
Yep. Both pitches play off each other extremely well. He's tapped into some sort of plane of higher pitching consciousness.
Bubic has looked fantastic so far, but is it possible that part of his success right now is because there isn’t as much tape on him as the other starters in the Royals rotation?
I don't know if tape will help. These hitters recognize the pitch (the change) but just can't resist because it looks so good and then, when they swing, they can't make contact. He was filling the zone with the change, or just low and away. Hitting is hard.
Good, I was hoping you’d say that! If he has just one more start like these past two, I’m buying the dip on Bubic.
Hahaha...yes...buy the dip.
Do we need to start a GoFundMe fundraiser for the MJ Torpedo Bat purchase?
These days he can swing a stick modeled after a plastic whiffle ball bat and he'll still pop it up. Balboni-style.
Thx tons for the clear presentation of Bubic's awesome start. My eyes didn't glaze over once.
Completely agree re: moving MJ now. Can only assume they're waiting to see if good early starts in Omaha can be sustained.
Got nervous as blown scoring opportunities were missed: 1-6 w/man on 3rd, less than 2 out?
Salvy's wild-ass swing & K in the 2nd w/2 RISP is just irresponsible.
A computation of the combined OPS of the 3 main OF's depressed me so badly I didn't finish it.
Twins struggling even worse than R's but Correa has to come alive sometime & Joe Ryan lurks.
Thanks, Terry. The blown opportunities are always concerning, but some days, everything works in your favor.
MJM needs to go to Omaha today. The Royal are not doing him any favors by keeping him here. His confidence has to be shot and they are going to totally destroy his morale by keeping him here any longer. I would prefer Rave get a chance, but really bring up anyone to replace him at this point!!! Bubic is looking amazing after 2 starts!
He needs the Moustakas treatment. Although, I would think he would be down there longer. There's quite a bit of work to do—both with rebuilding the swing and the confidence.
Morning, Craig. I think you may mean “stopper” in the first line of the third paragraph rather than “starter”? This is the level of geekiness i have for your columns (and archives). Also, my guess is that MJ will play out the home stand in KC but the next road trip he makes is gonna be up I-29…..
Ah, yes. I need to fire my editor. Or at least give him a terrible performance review. :)
Just don’t mention my name…=)
The frustration for me is mounting with MJ. There is no reason to have him in the majors right now (I believe he has options). If anything, the dude needs some confidence and he will get none of that seeing major-league pitching. I've pretty much given up on the guy, but if he can show that he can mash in Omaha, I would be willing to see him one more time for an extended look.
Melendez has a couple of options remaining, so they're free to send him down. I'd also be willing to give him another look if he goes down and puts it together. But I really have to believe time is running out.
He's benefiting by the lack of better in-house options. Unless they swing a trade for an outfielder, he'll have another chance if he does rake in Omaha.
What a beautiful Sunday Bubic gave us. One could argue that Mountcastle wouldn't have been on 3rd to score if Renfroe had made a routine play, but to be fair there did seem to be a lot of shadows in the corner.
That outfield is tricky in the daytime. We've already seen several sun balls. Add in shadows in the corners on a day like yesterday and it can be treacherous.
A Nuke reference in the article and Balboni in the comments? CB is in midseason form!
I was thinking after KBs first start “hmmmm, wouldn’t it be interesting if the least heralded of that draft class turned out to be the top of the rotation guy”.
After yesterday; I’m thinking it even more. So quick question: who did you like the most? Full disclosure: I had KB 4th lol. And was just so sure Bowlan would be the man!
Hi there, Coach. I had Lynch as number one for sure. Then maybe Kowar/Singer/Bubic. Hell, I could've had Bowlan ahead of Bubic. Wild what some hard work and a desire to utilize different resources these players have at their disposal can do when they're looking for improvement.
Reaching base 4 out of 24 plate appearances is not a .250 OBP.