Really like the lineup ideas. I'm kinda surprised they gave up on Nelly down the stretch. I really don't see what Grossman is giving this team that Nelly couldn't honestly. I get Grossman's splits, but even then, he either seems to walk or strikeout and not sure he provides much on defense or on the bases. My gut would be to part ways wi…
Really like the lineup ideas. I'm kinda surprised they gave up on Nelly down the stretch. I really don't see what Grossman is giving this team that Nelly couldn't honestly. I get Grossman's splits, but even then, he either seems to walk or strikeout and not sure he provides much on defense or on the bases. My gut would be to part ways with Grossman and maybe move Pham into a lower part of the batting order. He can hit the ball hard, but Pham is not a guy right now who is going to work a count or draw a walk.
I'm intrigued by the Maikel at leadoff. You're right, this team was humming the most when he hit leadoff. At this point, the Royals have nothing to lose and against lefties he's been far more effective in terms of approach (0.50 BB/K ratio) and performance (81 wRC+). Maikel still is hitting the ball hard and not chasing and that's a lot better than Pham who is chasing way too much.
Another guy I would rather have out there than Hampson is Blanco. I know his defense has been poor, but I would like to see him get those platoon at-bats instead of Hampson at this point. Blanco's squared up rates aren't bad, and he's shown that he can go on a heater, especially in a more hitter-friendly ballpark.
Call up Nelly, DFA Grossman (or Hampson, though would rather keep Hampson because of positional versatility), play Nelly and Blanco more, have Maikel bat leadoff again against LH SP and let's see where the chips fall. It can't be any worse than what we've seen over the past two weeks.
Thanks, Kevin. Quatraro has to do something, but I’ve been going back and forth in my mind about how he approaches this. He cannot look as though he’s making moves out of panic or desperation. So there can’t be wholesale lineup changes or bizarre shifts (like hitting Perez at the top of the order or something), it has to be pointed, calculated and something that would make sense for a random game in June.
I’m not as high as you on Blanco giving production, even in a small sample, although we have seen him do it. Putting him in the lineup wouldn’t be outrageous. Like you say, it can’t be any worse.
Really like the lineup ideas. I'm kinda surprised they gave up on Nelly down the stretch. I really don't see what Grossman is giving this team that Nelly couldn't honestly. I get Grossman's splits, but even then, he either seems to walk or strikeout and not sure he provides much on defense or on the bases. My gut would be to part ways with Grossman and maybe move Pham into a lower part of the batting order. He can hit the ball hard, but Pham is not a guy right now who is going to work a count or draw a walk.
I'm intrigued by the Maikel at leadoff. You're right, this team was humming the most when he hit leadoff. At this point, the Royals have nothing to lose and against lefties he's been far more effective in terms of approach (0.50 BB/K ratio) and performance (81 wRC+). Maikel still is hitting the ball hard and not chasing and that's a lot better than Pham who is chasing way too much.
Another guy I would rather have out there than Hampson is Blanco. I know his defense has been poor, but I would like to see him get those platoon at-bats instead of Hampson at this point. Blanco's squared up rates aren't bad, and he's shown that he can go on a heater, especially in a more hitter-friendly ballpark.
Call up Nelly, DFA Grossman (or Hampson, though would rather keep Hampson because of positional versatility), play Nelly and Blanco more, have Maikel bat leadoff again against LH SP and let's see where the chips fall. It can't be any worse than what we've seen over the past two weeks.
Thanks, Kevin. Quatraro has to do something, but I’ve been going back and forth in my mind about how he approaches this. He cannot look as though he’s making moves out of panic or desperation. So there can’t be wholesale lineup changes or bizarre shifts (like hitting Perez at the top of the order or something), it has to be pointed, calculated and something that would make sense for a random game in June.
I’m not as high as you on Blanco giving production, even in a small sample, although we have seen him do it. Putting him in the lineup wouldn’t be outrageous. Like you say, it can’t be any worse.
Put Blanco in the lineup every day--if he can use his crayon bat.