It's go time on a new season with new rules and, for the Royals, a new manager. And Brad Keller has a new curveball! It must be Opening Day in the Cactus League!
I haven't been this excited for a baseball season since 2016, probably. Young roster, new coaching staff, and most importantly new rules to improve the fan experience. Should be _lots_ more stealing this year, and that's fun. More action, more scoring, more strategy maybe? I kinda hope the Royals are back to being really aggressive on the base paths, just for entertainment value. Why not? It shouldn't impact evaluation and development of hitters. Let's break baseball again!
Hahaha...I'm with you, Seth. I think the pickoff limits and the clock mean we're going to see a lot more running. Not just the Royals, but across the league. I have a strange amount of optimism that Quatraro and his staff will be able to use these new rules to their benefit.
You can probably tell...I'm really looking forward to this season. :)
If I didn't need a heat pump I'd be buying season tickets this year. Maybe next year!
Heck, I just remembered Jake Eisenberg replaced Steve Physioc in the booth and we probably are gonna be able to stream games locally. If I'm dreaming, nobody better wake me up.
I still have fond memories of Amos Otis and Freddie Patek each stealing more than 50 bases in one season in the early 1970s. While it made the games more fun and exciting the team was still 5 years away from their first playoff appearance and was in fact quite mediocre at the time.
It's gonna take a lot more than stolen bases to shrink that number in the loss column.
Nice work, as always, Craig. A couple of paragraphs there at the end jumped out at me for some reason. You mention leadoff hitters, righty-lefty balance and such. Maybe a column idea -- the last few years there has been some alternative thinking and even experimenting with such things (akin to the idea of an opener). Why worry about putting someone with "leadoff skills" at the lineup's top when he might lead off an inning only once? Why not the very best hitter, to get him the most at-bats? Many teams have also talked about and penciled lineups with a "secondary" leadoff hitter in the 8 or 9 slot. As for righty-lefty, I'd be interested in seeing some expansion on that as to how often/whether that seems to have value. Where does the rule requiring relievers to face three batters figure in to that? I dunno, just ruminating over here....
Thanks, Clark. Think you and I are on the same wavelength. You want a true "new-age" lineup? Hit Vinnie first. I almost put him there, but chickened out. My only issue with that is I'd like a high OBP guy with at least average speed there. But in the back of my mind, I'm wondering if the analytics department and Q could land there just to see what happens.
I think you always want to make it difficult for the opposition to game plan and stacking hitters plays into that. Losing Waters kind of impacts the lineup in that he's a switch hitter who can help provide some balance. But I suppose if your hitters are good enough, you just fill out the card and let it ride.
Good thoughts. One thing I'm hoping is that Eaton gets a good look with Waters out. He could possibly be a nice platoon with Isbel in CF if he hits enough (of course, here's hoping Isbel hits more, too). Eaton's defense looked outstanding last year.
It's been a long winter & I'm excited to see what the early returns are with the new guys in charge. I share your skepticism on Keller, but the fact that this is even a topic is just a glaring indictment of Eldred and the previous regime. I don't know if the new guys can fix Keller or any of the other pitchers, but I'm at least encouraged by the fact that they seem to actually be trying.
As for your lineup? I make no judgements. I think they have a lot of interesting pieces, but I'm glad it's not my job to put them all together. Of course, if they wanted to bring me on staff and pay me a big league salary, I'd be more than willing to give it a shot. But they're probably better off with him in charge. Let's hope so anyway!
We've moved on from the old staff, but we're constantly reminded that they didn't have any idea how to fix things. Like I said, I have my doubts on Keller, but goodness...do something! And he clearly has the freedom and the support of the organization to explore on his own. And the pitching coaches are giving input as he does it! Amazing.
And the headache that comes with a big league salary may not be worth it. Especially trying to assemble this lineup. Fun one today, though. We're already seeing a difference in approach.
I haven't been this excited for a baseball season since 2016, probably. Young roster, new coaching staff, and most importantly new rules to improve the fan experience. Should be _lots_ more stealing this year, and that's fun. More action, more scoring, more strategy maybe? I kinda hope the Royals are back to being really aggressive on the base paths, just for entertainment value. Why not? It shouldn't impact evaluation and development of hitters. Let's break baseball again!
Hahaha...I'm with you, Seth. I think the pickoff limits and the clock mean we're going to see a lot more running. Not just the Royals, but across the league. I have a strange amount of optimism that Quatraro and his staff will be able to use these new rules to their benefit.
You can probably tell...I'm really looking forward to this season. :)
If I didn't need a heat pump I'd be buying season tickets this year. Maybe next year!
Heck, I just remembered Jake Eisenberg replaced Steve Physioc in the booth and we probably are gonna be able to stream games locally. If I'm dreaming, nobody better wake me up.
Upgrades all around! I believe Jake is on the call today. It's on the Royals Radio Network. And MLB.com.
I still have fond memories of Amos Otis and Freddie Patek each stealing more than 50 bases in one season in the early 1970s. While it made the games more fun and exciting the team was still 5 years away from their first playoff appearance and was in fact quite mediocre at the time.
It's gonna take a lot more than stolen bases to shrink that number in the loss column.
Nice work, as always, Craig. A couple of paragraphs there at the end jumped out at me for some reason. You mention leadoff hitters, righty-lefty balance and such. Maybe a column idea -- the last few years there has been some alternative thinking and even experimenting with such things (akin to the idea of an opener). Why worry about putting someone with "leadoff skills" at the lineup's top when he might lead off an inning only once? Why not the very best hitter, to get him the most at-bats? Many teams have also talked about and penciled lineups with a "secondary" leadoff hitter in the 8 or 9 slot. As for righty-lefty, I'd be interested in seeing some expansion on that as to how often/whether that seems to have value. Where does the rule requiring relievers to face three batters figure in to that? I dunno, just ruminating over here....
Thanks, Clark. Think you and I are on the same wavelength. You want a true "new-age" lineup? Hit Vinnie first. I almost put him there, but chickened out. My only issue with that is I'd like a high OBP guy with at least average speed there. But in the back of my mind, I'm wondering if the analytics department and Q could land there just to see what happens.
I think you always want to make it difficult for the opposition to game plan and stacking hitters plays into that. Losing Waters kind of impacts the lineup in that he's a switch hitter who can help provide some balance. But I suppose if your hitters are good enough, you just fill out the card and let it ride.
Good thoughts. One thing I'm hoping is that Eaton gets a good look with Waters out. He could possibly be a nice platoon with Isbel in CF if he hits enough (of course, here's hoping Isbel hits more, too). Eaton's defense looked outstanding last year.
I'm right there with you! I was very impressed with Eaton last year and hope he gets plenty of opportunities this year.
It's been a long winter & I'm excited to see what the early returns are with the new guys in charge. I share your skepticism on Keller, but the fact that this is even a topic is just a glaring indictment of Eldred and the previous regime. I don't know if the new guys can fix Keller or any of the other pitchers, but I'm at least encouraged by the fact that they seem to actually be trying.
As for your lineup? I make no judgements. I think they have a lot of interesting pieces, but I'm glad it's not my job to put them all together. Of course, if they wanted to bring me on staff and pay me a big league salary, I'd be more than willing to give it a shot. But they're probably better off with him in charge. Let's hope so anyway!
We've moved on from the old staff, but we're constantly reminded that they didn't have any idea how to fix things. Like I said, I have my doubts on Keller, but goodness...do something! And he clearly has the freedom and the support of the organization to explore on his own. And the pitching coaches are giving input as he does it! Amazing.
And the headache that comes with a big league salary may not be worth it. Especially trying to assemble this lineup. Fun one today, though. We're already seeing a difference in approach.