Remember that commercial a few years back with Mike Vick (you know, before he tortured dogs)? The one where the fan goes on the ride called the “Michael Vick Experience”? Well, the Brett Tomko Experience commercial would be similar to that, but instead of the average fan getting the thrill of a lifetime – it’s the opposing hitters who will likely have all the fun on this ride.
Tomko has always had pretty good stuff, and I used to expect him to break out every year; taking him in the late rounds of various fantasy leagues as a sleeper candidate. Well, it never really happened. His first couple of years with the Reds were pretty solid, and then he had another good year six years later with the Giants. But all his success (and lack thereof) has come in the National League, where pitchers generally put up better numbers anyway. In the American League, I don’t expect him impress. He has done a short stint in the AL (two years with Seattle), but only pitched 120 or so innings in those two seasons, putting up an ERA of 4.68 in 92 innings and following that up with a 5.19 ERA in about 35 innings the following year.
And this guy is competing for a spot in Kansas City’s starting rotation?
Well, Luke Hochevar just got optioned to Omaha to work on some delivery issues, so I’m guessing Tomko is the guy who will take that final spot in the rotation. It looks as if John Bale will be the number four guy (don’t know how excited I am about that, either) and Tomko will be the number five. I can’t imagine it will last. I can’t imagine they’ll let Hochevar strike out AAA hitters all season while Tomko is up here in KC allowing seven runs in five innings.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for having some veteran guys in the clubhouse, even the guys who are there just to act as good “clubhouse guys”. But can’t we stick those kind of guys in the bullpen? Or have them play a utility role? Do they have to play everyday or be in the starting rotation?
I’m betting that Hochevar will be up in KC no later than mid-May or early June. I mean, he did have a good spring; going eight innings and allowing only seven hits and two runs (as well as going 2 2/3 scoreless innings in a “B” game and throwing four scoreless innings in a minor league game).
Hopefully there are just a couple of things for Hochevar to work on, and the ride will be over soon…but, for the time being, welcome to the Brett Tomko Experience…
Monday, March 24, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Spring Training Stats and Notes (position players)....
Just a quick update on how some of the guys are performing in Surprise:
David DeJesus: The new approach to leadoff hitting seems to be working....so far David is hitting .412 through 17 at bats, and also has 8 walks (for an OBP of .600).
Alex Gordon: He's off to a decent start...nothing flashy, but very solid. He's 7-for-23 for a .304 average, has five RBI and a stolen base. No homers yet.
Billy Butler: Billy's hot with the bat, but then, nobody ever questioned his ability to hit. He's 12-for-30 so far (a .400 average). He's also smacked two homers and has seven RBI.
Other notes:
Justin Huber is hot so far, and is trying to play himself onto this roster. This is a guy who, in my opinion, has probably been mishandled by the Royals...getting called up to sit the bench, being moved around to different positions, etc. He's been a hot prospect for too long now, and we need to see if Huber can play or not. He's 6-for-12 this spring with five RBI, a steal and two walks.
New addition (and second baseman of the future?) Alberto Callaspo is also hitting well, going 9-for-24 so far. He's got a home run, three RBI, two walks, and has scored four runs as well. I'd look for Callaspo to be a super utility guy for most of this year, and for him to take over the full-time duties at second when the Royals move Grudz to a contender this year.
Overall, it looks like like our core group of young hitters are performing pretty well. If we get big years from Gordon, Butler and DeJesus (along with guys like Guillen, Teahen, Gload, etc.) we should be in much better shape this year as far as scoring some runs.
My ideal lineup at this point:
CF - DeJesus
LF - Teahen
RF - Guillen
DH - Butler
3B - Gordon
1B - Gload/Shealy
2B - Grudz
C - Buck/Olivo
SS - Pena
Whether they all hit or not, they should at least be a pretty solid defensive team.
David DeJesus: The new approach to leadoff hitting seems to be working....so far David is hitting .412 through 17 at bats, and also has 8 walks (for an OBP of .600).
Alex Gordon: He's off to a decent start...nothing flashy, but very solid. He's 7-for-23 for a .304 average, has five RBI and a stolen base. No homers yet.
Billy Butler: Billy's hot with the bat, but then, nobody ever questioned his ability to hit. He's 12-for-30 so far (a .400 average). He's also smacked two homers and has seven RBI.
Other notes:
Justin Huber is hot so far, and is trying to play himself onto this roster. This is a guy who, in my opinion, has probably been mishandled by the Royals...getting called up to sit the bench, being moved around to different positions, etc. He's been a hot prospect for too long now, and we need to see if Huber can play or not. He's 6-for-12 this spring with five RBI, a steal and two walks.
New addition (and second baseman of the future?) Alberto Callaspo is also hitting well, going 9-for-24 so far. He's got a home run, three RBI, two walks, and has scored four runs as well. I'd look for Callaspo to be a super utility guy for most of this year, and for him to take over the full-time duties at second when the Royals move Grudz to a contender this year.
Overall, it looks like like our core group of young hitters are performing pretty well. If we get big years from Gordon, Butler and DeJesus (along with guys like Guillen, Teahen, Gload, etc.) we should be in much better shape this year as far as scoring some runs.
My ideal lineup at this point:
CF - DeJesus
LF - Teahen
RF - Guillen
DH - Butler
3B - Gordon
1B - Gload/Shealy
2B - Grudz
C - Buck/Olivo
SS - Pena
Whether they all hit or not, they should at least be a pretty solid defensive team.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Greinke Update
As promised...here is a little update on Greinke's outing yesterday.
He didn't quite make the five innings the Royals had talked about, going three instead. He had a rough second inning; giving up three runs, which he also did in his first outing. However, according to what I heard from Zack on the radio postgame show, he was a little happier with his performance this time around, saying that Arizona hit some good pitches, but pointing out that he broke some of their bats.
Greinke admitted that his fastball was looking good, but that he was a little behind schedule on his off-speed stuff, which allowed the D-Backs to sit on the fastball.
He also had some of his usual great quotes. When asked about spring training, he wasn't afraid to come right out and say, "I don't really like it." Also, according to the radio guys, they overheard Zack doing another interview, where he said that spring training "is a bunch of bull."
Whether he has a good outing or not (and honestly, it's the Cactus League, so who cares?), he's always good for a laugh after the game.
My guess: Greinke is working on some specific things and isn't just taking the mound with the intetion of pitching his best game. Don't pay too much attention to his stats...we all know he's got the stuff to be an ace in this league. I'll pay a little more attention to the last couple of spring appearances, and not really worry about him until the real games start.
He didn't quite make the five innings the Royals had talked about, going three instead. He had a rough second inning; giving up three runs, which he also did in his first outing. However, according to what I heard from Zack on the radio postgame show, he was a little happier with his performance this time around, saying that Arizona hit some good pitches, but pointing out that he broke some of their bats.
Greinke admitted that his fastball was looking good, but that he was a little behind schedule on his off-speed stuff, which allowed the D-Backs to sit on the fastball.
He also had some of his usual great quotes. When asked about spring training, he wasn't afraid to come right out and say, "I don't really like it." Also, according to the radio guys, they overheard Zack doing another interview, where he said that spring training "is a bunch of bull."
Whether he has a good outing or not (and honestly, it's the Cactus League, so who cares?), he's always good for a laugh after the game.
My guess: Greinke is working on some specific things and isn't just taking the mound with the intetion of pitching his best game. Don't pay too much attention to his stats...we all know he's got the stuff to be an ace in this league. I'll pay a little more attention to the last couple of spring appearances, and not really worry about him until the real games start.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
New approach to leadoff hitting?
According to an article in the KC Star, the Royals (and more specifically - David DeJesus) are placing an emphasis on getting on base. Wow. Really? That's important to a leadoff batter? I had no idea.......
Below is a sample of the article - for the full write-up, click HERE.
Royals’ DeJesus trying new approach to leadoff duty
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
S URPRISE, Ariz. One of the many lessons under way here at Camp DoItRight is a remedial course in batting leadoff. Instructor Quilvio Veras has one pupil.
David DeJesus.
For years, DeJesus saw little significance to batting first in the lineup. Sure, it meant a few more at-bats over a season. But, really, he took the same approach as he would on those less-frequent occasions when he batted elsewhere in the lineup.
“I was just trying to have good at-bats,” he said. “That’s all I was thinking about: Have a good at-bat.”
This is the American League, after all. Land of the designated hitter. Pitchers just pitch. The leadoff hitter simply has the first seat on the lineup merry-go-round, right?
No.
Listen to Veras, and it’s a more emphatic NO!
“Everything has got to be different for a leadoff hitter,” argues Veras, a roving coach for the Royals who spent most of his seven big-league seasons in the role. “For me, the leadoff hitter is the key to the game. If he’s not getting on, then we’re not scoring runs.
“If he gets on base, the big guys drive him in. You score runs, you win games.”
And we're just now teaching this?? After reading that article, I'd just like to give special thanks to Allard Baird and Buddy Bell for apparently doing all they could to stunt the development of the players in our organization. Thankfully, the new regime seems to know what they're doing.
In all seriousness, I don't think it's going to take much of an adjustment for DDJ to improve on this aspect of his game. His career OBP is .358, and if he can get back up towards his mark of .364 (in the 2006 season), he's moving in the right direction. Ideally, I'd like to see him at .370 or better over 500 plus at bats. I don't think it's too much of a stretch for a guy who already shows a lot of patience at the plate.
On a side note - we have KC (Greinke) vs. ARI (Haren) on the schedule today - will post with some Zack Greinke news tomorrow. Just heard on the radio that they may let him go five innings if he's doing well with his pitch count.
Below is a sample of the article - for the full write-up, click HERE.
Royals’ DeJesus trying new approach to leadoff duty
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
S URPRISE, Ariz. One of the many lessons under way here at Camp DoItRight is a remedial course in batting leadoff. Instructor Quilvio Veras has one pupil.
David DeJesus.
For years, DeJesus saw little significance to batting first in the lineup. Sure, it meant a few more at-bats over a season. But, really, he took the same approach as he would on those less-frequent occasions when he batted elsewhere in the lineup.
“I was just trying to have good at-bats,” he said. “That’s all I was thinking about: Have a good at-bat.”
This is the American League, after all. Land of the designated hitter. Pitchers just pitch. The leadoff hitter simply has the first seat on the lineup merry-go-round, right?
No.
Listen to Veras, and it’s a more emphatic NO!
“Everything has got to be different for a leadoff hitter,” argues Veras, a roving coach for the Royals who spent most of his seven big-league seasons in the role. “For me, the leadoff hitter is the key to the game. If he’s not getting on, then we’re not scoring runs.
“If he gets on base, the big guys drive him in. You score runs, you win games.”
And we're just now teaching this?? After reading that article, I'd just like to give special thanks to Allard Baird and Buddy Bell for apparently doing all they could to stunt the development of the players in our organization. Thankfully, the new regime seems to know what they're doing.
In all seriousness, I don't think it's going to take much of an adjustment for DDJ to improve on this aspect of his game. His career OBP is .358, and if he can get back up towards his mark of .364 (in the 2006 season), he's moving in the right direction. Ideally, I'd like to see him at .370 or better over 500 plus at bats. I don't think it's too much of a stretch for a guy who already shows a lot of patience at the plate.
On a side note - we have KC (Greinke) vs. ARI (Haren) on the schedule today - will post with some Zack Greinke news tomorrow. Just heard on the radio that they may let him go five innings if he's doing well with his pitch count.
Blog Change - No longer "Diary of a Madfan"
Decided to change the name and address of my blog....we're now called "The Hot Corner".
Been a while since I've blogged anything, and thought I'd go with a fresh start with my renewed dedication to the blog.
Hopefully you guys will continue reading and will enjoy my observations on the Royals.
Been a while since I've blogged anything, and thought I'd go with a fresh start with my renewed dedication to the blog.
Hopefully you guys will continue reading and will enjoy my observations on the Royals.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Looking to the future
The Royals are obviously not any threat to compete for a playoff spot this year, but they've still been a lot of fun to watch - much more so than in recent years. This is mostly due to the younger players coming up to the big leagues and watching Dayton Moore start to put his stamp on this organization from top to bottom.
So the question is, what have we learned over the past few weeks? Who are the guys we can build around? Who are the guys that have no future here? Well...here are my thoughts on a few of the players on the 2007 roster:
THE FUTURE
Alex Gordon: The new face of KC baseball. He's the real deal...the total package. He can play great defense - I saw him break a 40 plus game streak with no errors yesterday (a throw in the dirt), he can hit for average and power, he can run, he's got a great eye at the plate.....this guy has the opportunity to start a new tradition of great players here in KC, and I hope we lock him up for a long time.
Billy Butler: This kid can hit. I mean REALLY hit. Probably one of the best young hitters I've seen for a while (he's a couple years younger than Gordon). A big boy who will start hitting for a lot of power once he fully adjusts to the big league game. Should be a perennial .300 hitter who adds 30 plus homers every year. Now if he could just play some defense......
Gil Meche: Meche went out this year and proved he was a top notch starting pitcher. Put up great numbers all year and has been continually let down by the offense....for what he's done on the mound, he should easily be up to 10 wins, and probably closer to 11 or 12. Great signing by Moore.
Brian Bannister: A great trade by Moore...all we had to give up was Ambriorix Burgos - a relief pitcher with great stuff who has yet to put it all together. In return, we got a starting pitcher who really knows what he's doing out there. He's given an incredible performance this year and could wind up beating out Meche for Royals Pitcher of the Year.
Zack Greinke: He's still only 23, and was probably rushed to the big leagues a couple of seasons ago. Add to that his personal problems, and it's amazing the guy has bounced back so quickly. Has been LIGHT OUT in the bullpen, and is now getting another shot at starting. Whatever happens - he has amazing stuff and will fit in somewhere. If he's a starter - great. If not, well, every team needs a great pen to rely on, so he could turn into a great setup man or even a closer.
David DeJesus: The knock on DeJesus is that he's not "great"....he doesn't do anything "great"....but he does everything really well. He's been a leadoff man for most of his career, although I think he's more suited to be a number two hitter (or maybe hit even lower, around sixth). He's got great patience, he's a clutch hitter, plays great defense, can run a little and even hit for a little power. Very solid everyday player and one of my favorite guys to watch.
Joakim Soria: Wow. This kid is a Rule 5 pick, which means he should be a mop-up pitcher, buried in the bullpen somewhere. Instead, he's blowing hitters away, and he's been doing it all year. He's got ice water running through his veins, which is apparent as he's been the best closer on this team all year (14 saves). Looks like the real deal - could get a shot at the rotation, but I like him a lot as a lights out closer.
GUYS ON THE BUBBLE
Mark Teahen: Another favorite of mine, but if he's going to play right field, he's going to have to find that power stroke he showed in the last half of the 2006 season. He's probably not a three hitter, where the Royals have had him most of this year (that's probably Alex Gordon's role going into next season). He could hit fifth or sixth, or even second. He's got great speed (which most people don't realize) and is a very smart baserunner. Hits for decent average with a little bit of pop, but has not been a home run threat this year at all. A great athlete who made the transition from third to right field very easily - has a cannon arm as well. Pretty interchangeable with DeJesus....but DeJesus has been more consistent.
Tony Pena Jr: I like this guy a lot...maybe it's just because he's not Angel Berroa, I don't know. He's got incredible range at short, and a great arm. He's fast and he looks like he'll be a decent enough hitter to put at the bottom of the order. Pretty good guy as well, everyone seems to like him. I just have concerns with his complete lack of ability to take a pitch. That's not good. If he can learn to walk every now and again, and become a better bunter, he's a keeper. Otherwise, I think he could just be a short term solution and the Royals will be looking for another shortstop a couple of years from now.
Joey Gathright: I love what he's done this year, but this is the only year he's ever hit in the big leagues. One word describes Joey - FAST. He is the fastest guy I've seen in KC since Willie Wilson. He beats out throws at first, he steals bases, he stretches singles to doubles and scores from first base. The speed translates to defense as well - he's been the left fielder in most of his games and can run down pretty much anything. Could easily be a center fielder with his speed. One problem - is he for real? He's hitting over .350 this season and has looked good, but he's never done this before. KC will likely keep him as at least a 4th outfielder, but could work his way into the starting lineup if he continues to produce.
Jorge De La Rosa: Not much to say about him, really. Has great stuff....that stuff has never translated into him being a solid pitcher, though. May get a chance to stick around in the pen, but don't see him as a starter next season.
John Buck: Came out hitting the ball really well this season, and has shown some pop (finally), as he has 16 homers this year. However....his average has dropped all year since his April hot streak, and he now sits somewhere around .220-.225....not good. At best, it looks like he'll be a part-time catcher, splitting duty with someone better than Jason LaRue (I hope) in the future.
VETERAN LEADER
Mark Grudzielanek: KC just extended his contract through the 2008 season, and I couldn't be happier. A great leader in the clubhouse...and a young team needs some good veteran leadership on the team to help them learn and give them someone to look to when things get rough. Grudz is a hard-nosed player who plays great defense (gold glove in 2006) and can hit the ball. Great situational hitter who you can plug in to bat second, third (if you need it), or anywhere from sixth to ninth. Very happy to have him for at least one more year.
Other than that.....we'll have a lot of money freed up this off-season, so it should be interesting to watch Dayton Moore go to work again.
So the question is, what have we learned over the past few weeks? Who are the guys we can build around? Who are the guys that have no future here? Well...here are my thoughts on a few of the players on the 2007 roster:
THE FUTURE
Alex Gordon: The new face of KC baseball. He's the real deal...the total package. He can play great defense - I saw him break a 40 plus game streak with no errors yesterday (a throw in the dirt), he can hit for average and power, he can run, he's got a great eye at the plate.....this guy has the opportunity to start a new tradition of great players here in KC, and I hope we lock him up for a long time.
Billy Butler: This kid can hit. I mean REALLY hit. Probably one of the best young hitters I've seen for a while (he's a couple years younger than Gordon). A big boy who will start hitting for a lot of power once he fully adjusts to the big league game. Should be a perennial .300 hitter who adds 30 plus homers every year. Now if he could just play some defense......
Gil Meche: Meche went out this year and proved he was a top notch starting pitcher. Put up great numbers all year and has been continually let down by the offense....for what he's done on the mound, he should easily be up to 10 wins, and probably closer to 11 or 12. Great signing by Moore.
Brian Bannister: A great trade by Moore...all we had to give up was Ambriorix Burgos - a relief pitcher with great stuff who has yet to put it all together. In return, we got a starting pitcher who really knows what he's doing out there. He's given an incredible performance this year and could wind up beating out Meche for Royals Pitcher of the Year.
Zack Greinke: He's still only 23, and was probably rushed to the big leagues a couple of seasons ago. Add to that his personal problems, and it's amazing the guy has bounced back so quickly. Has been LIGHT OUT in the bullpen, and is now getting another shot at starting. Whatever happens - he has amazing stuff and will fit in somewhere. If he's a starter - great. If not, well, every team needs a great pen to rely on, so he could turn into a great setup man or even a closer.
David DeJesus: The knock on DeJesus is that he's not "great"....he doesn't do anything "great"....but he does everything really well. He's been a leadoff man for most of his career, although I think he's more suited to be a number two hitter (or maybe hit even lower, around sixth). He's got great patience, he's a clutch hitter, plays great defense, can run a little and even hit for a little power. Very solid everyday player and one of my favorite guys to watch.
Joakim Soria: Wow. This kid is a Rule 5 pick, which means he should be a mop-up pitcher, buried in the bullpen somewhere. Instead, he's blowing hitters away, and he's been doing it all year. He's got ice water running through his veins, which is apparent as he's been the best closer on this team all year (14 saves). Looks like the real deal - could get a shot at the rotation, but I like him a lot as a lights out closer.
GUYS ON THE BUBBLE
Mark Teahen: Another favorite of mine, but if he's going to play right field, he's going to have to find that power stroke he showed in the last half of the 2006 season. He's probably not a three hitter, where the Royals have had him most of this year (that's probably Alex Gordon's role going into next season). He could hit fifth or sixth, or even second. He's got great speed (which most people don't realize) and is a very smart baserunner. Hits for decent average with a little bit of pop, but has not been a home run threat this year at all. A great athlete who made the transition from third to right field very easily - has a cannon arm as well. Pretty interchangeable with DeJesus....but DeJesus has been more consistent.
Tony Pena Jr: I like this guy a lot...maybe it's just because he's not Angel Berroa, I don't know. He's got incredible range at short, and a great arm. He's fast and he looks like he'll be a decent enough hitter to put at the bottom of the order. Pretty good guy as well, everyone seems to like him. I just have concerns with his complete lack of ability to take a pitch. That's not good. If he can learn to walk every now and again, and become a better bunter, he's a keeper. Otherwise, I think he could just be a short term solution and the Royals will be looking for another shortstop a couple of years from now.
Joey Gathright: I love what he's done this year, but this is the only year he's ever hit in the big leagues. One word describes Joey - FAST. He is the fastest guy I've seen in KC since Willie Wilson. He beats out throws at first, he steals bases, he stretches singles to doubles and scores from first base. The speed translates to defense as well - he's been the left fielder in most of his games and can run down pretty much anything. Could easily be a center fielder with his speed. One problem - is he for real? He's hitting over .350 this season and has looked good, but he's never done this before. KC will likely keep him as at least a 4th outfielder, but could work his way into the starting lineup if he continues to produce.
Jorge De La Rosa: Not much to say about him, really. Has great stuff....that stuff has never translated into him being a solid pitcher, though. May get a chance to stick around in the pen, but don't see him as a starter next season.
John Buck: Came out hitting the ball really well this season, and has shown some pop (finally), as he has 16 homers this year. However....his average has dropped all year since his April hot streak, and he now sits somewhere around .220-.225....not good. At best, it looks like he'll be a part-time catcher, splitting duty with someone better than Jason LaRue (I hope) in the future.
VETERAN LEADER
Mark Grudzielanek: KC just extended his contract through the 2008 season, and I couldn't be happier. A great leader in the clubhouse...and a young team needs some good veteran leadership on the team to help them learn and give them someone to look to when things get rough. Grudz is a hard-nosed player who plays great defense (gold glove in 2006) and can hit the ball. Great situational hitter who you can plug in to bat second, third (if you need it), or anywhere from sixth to ninth. Very happy to have him for at least one more year.
Other than that.....we'll have a lot of money freed up this off-season, so it should be interesting to watch Dayton Moore go to work again.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Congrats to A-Rod
Been a while since I've posted here - been tied up with other things.
Just listening to the game at work and wanted to give a tip of the cap to Alex Rodriguez, as he joins the 500 home run club. Sorry he had to do it against the Royals, but he was due to knock one out.
Congrats to the man who will overtake Barry Bonds atop the list about six years from now. Let's just hope there are no revelations that will make us all sick to our stomach when A-Rod's approaching the record....
Other comments.....
The trade deadline came and went without much fanfare, really. I like the Dotel for Davies deal well enough, I guess, but it didn't blow me away. Davies has GREAT stuff, but has never been able to pull it together at the big league level for any extended period of time. Maybe a change of scenery will help him out. Another plus - Dotel really likes it in KC and made some comments about maybe coming back here next season...so that'd be alright with me. He's a solid guy to have in the pen and I like his fiery attitude when he's on the mound.
Billy Butler continues to impress, winning the July American League Rookie of the Month Award. This guy was born to hit and I look forward to watching him develop over the rest of this season alongside Alex Gordon, who also continues to get better and more consistent as the season goes along. Gordon also hit one of the hardest shots I've seen this year the other night in Minnesota - a two-run bomb to win the game. These guys are going to look good in blue for years to come.
Joey Gathright is back thanks to Reggie Sanders landing back on the DL (again). I'm glad to see him back...he produced really well for us in his previous stint this season and the Royals need to figure out where he fits into the future plans. Hopefully he's here for the remainder of this season.
Greinke and Soria continue to dominate at the back end of the pen....these guys have great stuff. Should be interesting to see if one of them ends up starting at some point or if these two will remain the answer to the 8th/9th innings for the Royals over the next few seasons.
Just listening to the game at work and wanted to give a tip of the cap to Alex Rodriguez, as he joins the 500 home run club. Sorry he had to do it against the Royals, but he was due to knock one out.
Congrats to the man who will overtake Barry Bonds atop the list about six years from now. Let's just hope there are no revelations that will make us all sick to our stomach when A-Rod's approaching the record....
Other comments.....
The trade deadline came and went without much fanfare, really. I like the Dotel for Davies deal well enough, I guess, but it didn't blow me away. Davies has GREAT stuff, but has never been able to pull it together at the big league level for any extended period of time. Maybe a change of scenery will help him out. Another plus - Dotel really likes it in KC and made some comments about maybe coming back here next season...so that'd be alright with me. He's a solid guy to have in the pen and I like his fiery attitude when he's on the mound.
Billy Butler continues to impress, winning the July American League Rookie of the Month Award. This guy was born to hit and I look forward to watching him develop over the rest of this season alongside Alex Gordon, who also continues to get better and more consistent as the season goes along. Gordon also hit one of the hardest shots I've seen this year the other night in Minnesota - a two-run bomb to win the game. These guys are going to look good in blue for years to come.
Joey Gathright is back thanks to Reggie Sanders landing back on the DL (again). I'm glad to see him back...he produced really well for us in his previous stint this season and the Royals need to figure out where he fits into the future plans. Hopefully he's here for the remainder of this season.
Greinke and Soria continue to dominate at the back end of the pen....these guys have great stuff. Should be interesting to see if one of them ends up starting at some point or if these two will remain the answer to the 8th/9th innings for the Royals over the next few seasons.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)