I agree with you on the health front and have been on that for a while now. Marsh is an example of that already. It's crazy how well the rotation held up last year.
Pratto is an interesting one as he's out of options. Nice day yesterday with the home run, but he has to show more which at this point feels unlikely.
I agree that Bubic has the edge, but given how Lynch has looked in his three outings, he cannot be discounted. Plus, Bubic really seemed to take to his bullpen role late last year.
He did, but the Royals used Bubic in higher-leverage situations. Both guys proved they can handle both roles. I wouldn't be surprised if Bubic and Lynch saw plenty of time in the rotation.
It's great that Caglianone is getting a lot of playing time, but it's been only at 1B, where the Royals already have a leftie power-hitting Italian. I thought they might try him in a corner outfield spot, but nope. Do you see a plan? Trade Vinnie in a year? Or Salvy retire and Jac & Vinnie alternate between 1B and DH?
Jac has 129 PAs in High-A and another 100 in the AFL. He's probably going to open the year at Northwest Arkansas. He can certainly push the issue, but he still has plenty to prove. It's a good problem to have.
heard either Q or JJ say they were keeping him at first in spring training so he could concentrate on hitting for now. It would be fun to see Cags called up in the fall, but he will really have to tear it up for that to happen. I actually hope he struggles a tiny bit at some point so he can learn how to handle it before the pressure of the mainstage spotlight.
Yep...Cags is at first base and will be there for the foreseeable future to work on his hitting. Pitch recognition will be a big thing for him so he needs to get as many looks as he can.
As for struggling...He didn't exactly tear up High-A last year. That could be enough to light the fire.
It's crazy that this organization has what feels like a surplus of starting pitching. After having a fairly set starting five this year, it sort of feels like that depth will be tested this season.
Craig I don’t remember but did you write specifically about Ned’s task in coming back? It seems his job is to appraise the catching tree, and it’s neat to see the Royals essentially bringing in a consultant to make sure they don’t do another Melendez (I.e. bet on a catcher who is a left fielder).
Also, another great read - always enjoy this newsletter landing in the inbox
Ned did say he was going to be working with the minor leaguers with a focus on the catchers. It sounds like he will mostly be focusing on AAA and AA, but the entire system is thick with those guys at the moment.
I clipped some of his comments when he met with the press in Surprise and wrote about it here:
I agree with you on the health front and have been on that for a while now. Marsh is an example of that already. It's crazy how well the rotation held up last year.
Pratto is an interesting one as he's out of options. Nice day yesterday with the home run, but he has to show more which at this point feels unlikely.
The Royals’ honoring of their veteran players is beyond cool; really brings it all full circle. Love da Moose.
Yep. They need to make an annual event of getting all the older guys back together.
Super excited about Moose retiring as a Royal. He was my favorite on those teams.
Love to see Lynch pitching well, but I still think Bubic has the starter spot unless something goes wrong for him.
I agree that Bubic has the edge, but given how Lynch has looked in his three outings, he cannot be discounted. Plus, Bubic really seemed to take to his bullpen role late last year.
But so did Lynch!
He did, but the Royals used Bubic in higher-leverage situations. Both guys proved they can handle both roles. I wouldn't be surprised if Bubic and Lynch saw plenty of time in the rotation.
It's great that Caglianone is getting a lot of playing time, but it's been only at 1B, where the Royals already have a leftie power-hitting Italian. I thought they might try him in a corner outfield spot, but nope. Do you see a plan? Trade Vinnie in a year? Or Salvy retire and Jac & Vinnie alternate between 1B and DH?
Jac has 129 PAs in High-A and another 100 in the AFL. He's probably going to open the year at Northwest Arkansas. He can certainly push the issue, but he still has plenty to prove. It's a good problem to have.
heard either Q or JJ say they were keeping him at first in spring training so he could concentrate on hitting for now. It would be fun to see Cags called up in the fall, but he will really have to tear it up for that to happen. I actually hope he struggles a tiny bit at some point so he can learn how to handle it before the pressure of the mainstage spotlight.
Yep...Cags is at first base and will be there for the foreseeable future to work on his hitting. Pitch recognition will be a big thing for him so he needs to get as many looks as he can.
As for struggling...He didn't exactly tear up High-A last year. That could be enough to light the fire.
The Royals seem to have more starting pitchers than they have room for? I could get used to that!
It's crazy that this organization has what feels like a surplus of starting pitching. After having a fairly set starting five this year, it sort of feels like that depth will be tested this season.
Craig I don’t remember but did you write specifically about Ned’s task in coming back? It seems his job is to appraise the catching tree, and it’s neat to see the Royals essentially bringing in a consultant to make sure they don’t do another Melendez (I.e. bet on a catcher who is a left fielder).
Also, another great read - always enjoy this newsletter landing in the inbox
Thank you, Michael.
Ned did say he was going to be working with the minor leaguers with a focus on the catchers. It sounds like he will mostly be focusing on AAA and AA, but the entire system is thick with those guys at the moment.
I clipped some of his comments when he met with the press in Surprise and wrote about it here:
https://intothefountains.substack.com/p/royals-splash-hits-ned-yost-returns