Royals Rumblings - News for July 13, 2015

Royals Rumblings - News for July 13, 2015

Vahe Gregorian writes that the Royals have already proven to critics that last year's run was no fluke.

"We’ve got the best winning percentage in the American League; what more do you want?" manager Ned Yost said. "We’re doing fine. We just continue to do what we’re doing. "We don’t have to do anything more, we don’t have to do anything less. Just keep doing what we’re doing."

Pausing so long another question came before he got the words out, Yost managed a thin smile and added, "And stay healthy."

Chris Bumbuca at the Star writes about the recent surge Alex Rios has been on.

The Star has profiles up on each of the Royals seven All-Stars.

Mike Moustakas talks a bit about his mother, whose illness caused him to miss some games last week.

His father, Mike Sr., coached and infused a certain drive in the son, and he’ll be flying to Cincinnati for the game after what Moustakas called "a pretty long go" with Connie Moustakas’ illness that apparently became evident about a year ago. Just as she’s always been, though, his mother will be ever-present as Moustakas says she’s "doing a little better every day." As she was when 7-year-old Mike was an outfielder.

"One of the mothers and I were watching, and they were picking those little weeds out there and blowing them," she once told The Star. "I’m thinking, ‘Oh my God, I hope nothing goes out there.’ "All of a sudden, a ball goes out there on the fly, Mike goes up, catches it, throws it back in and goes back to picking those weeds."

Lee Judge writes that Mike Moustakas shows that fans should be patient with players.

Sam Mellinger traces Alex Gordon's long road to stardom.

Gordon never complained about the expectations, or the Brett comparison, at least not publicly. He arrived to the Royals as a sort of ballplayer’s ballplayer, head down, fully committed, too busy in the weight room or batting cage to worry much about anything else. That attitude has been misunderstood over the years.

He has been ejected just once in 1,110 career games, and longtime Royals officials can probably count on one hand the number of times he’s argued with an umpire. Now that he is an established star, it’s seen as maturity, and confidence, but it wasn’t long ago that some interpreted it as apathy.

Club officials wondered if Gordon’s never-let-’em-see-you-mad way was actually counterproductive, if his tendency to transfer frustration into energy for the weight room was stiffening his swing. Years of subtle improvement or understanding were overshadowed by mediocre big-league results and a growing impatience.

Andy McCullough writes that the Royals have Raul Mondesi because of...Meche Money!

In January of 2011, with his right shoulder aching and his resolve fading, Gil Meche decided to retire. He forfeited $12 million in salary, which left the Royals with a budgetary surplus, and the rare opportunity to spend money twice. The sacrifice by Meche, along with the acumen of their Latin American scouting department, led to the acquisition of the team’s most enticing current prospect.

Owner David Glass instructed his front office to invest the newfound money in the draft and the international market. The front office of general manager Dayton Moore had already located one target: Raul Adalberto Mondesi, the teenage son of former All-Star outfielder Raul Mondesi. Kansas City forked over $2 million to sign Mondesi, a shortstop with five tools and a lofty ceiling, out of the Dominican Republic in July of 2011.

"We fought for him, internationally," Moore said. "We fought to win the negotiations for him. We felt he was going to be special."

Andy McCullough also profiles Balbino Fuenmayor, who the Royals took the unusual step of giving a contract extension through 2016 on a minor league contract.

"Even after the first month, we’re going ‘Is this for real or not?’" Picollo said. "We watched him for another month, month and a half. And not only was he maintaining, but he seemed to get better." Picollo noticed Fuenmayor could better recognize breaking balls now. He was still susceptible to them, but he was no longer helpless. Fuenmayor credited his implementation of a two-strike approach, a concept that was foreign to him in his youth.

"I’m not thinking of hitting the ball like 500 feet," Fuenmayor said. "I’m thinking about contact. I’m thinking about right field, center field. Low strikeouts, high average. I think that’s the key, the two-strike approach."

Fuenmayor and Mondesi each went 1-for-2 in the Futures Game, while Cheslor Cuthbert went 0-for-2. Mondesi did impress with his speed.

When we say Raul Mondesi has 80 speed. You just saw it (I think, didn't have my stopwatch on it) @Statcastplease.

— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) July 12, 2015

John Sickels looks at the enigma of Cheslor Cuthbert.

Now that Cheslor Cuthbert is back in the minor leagues, he'll be in the Triple-A All-Star Game.

Gregorian writes that the All-Star game is yet another "coronation" for the Royals' success.

Pete Grathoff looks back at the five Royals that went to the All-Star Game in 1982, the previous franchise high for participants.

Blair Kerkoff looks back at memorable Royals All-Star moments.

John Sickels has two Royals on his Top 75 mid-season prospect list - Mondesi and Sean Manaea.

The Royals will face the maximum penalty for going over their international spending limit this year, which means they won't be able to sign anyone next year for more than a bonus of $300,000.

Here is your All-Star week calendar of events.

James Shields could already be on the move if San Diego decides to blow it all up.

Marlins infielder Dee Gordon will miss some time after dislocating his thumb sliding head-first into first base. So maybe stop doing that, Eric Hosmer.

Golfer Justin Speith is having quite a summer.

Is Serena Williams, who won Wimbledon over the weekend, the greatest female tennis player of all-time?

RIP Satoru Iwata, CEO of Nintendo, who passed away at the age of 55, leaving a huge legacy in the gaming world.

You probably haven't told very many people "I love you."

The Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice trailer was unveiled at Comic-Con.

J.J. Abrams also unveiled more Star Wars footage, and I feel like he's rubbing it in George Lucas' face at this point.

Your song of the day is Moby with "Made of Stars."