Royals Rumblings - News for March 29, 2016
Ned Yost wants Danny Duffy to focus on the bullpen.
"He could always be built back up," Yost said of Duffy’s prospects of starting. "But right now, that’s not the plan. We’ve got Dillon Gee for that, too." Yost said the plan for now includes using Duffy’s electric arm in middle relief. Yost views relievers Joakim Soria, Kelvin Herrera and Luke Hochevar as interchangeable setup men for closer Wade Davis. Duffy will occupy a role in front of the Royals’ big four.
"The beauty of our pen is that we really have three eighth-inning guys, and you can mix and match depending on usage, to keep everybody fresh," Yost said. "Well, Danny can be one of those guys, too. (But) Danny is probably going to be your sixth-, seventh-inning guy, depending on the usage of the other guys."
:Lee Judge says Lorenzo Cain needs to resist pulling the ball.
Look up Lorenzo Cain’s numbers and you’ll see he hits .409 when he puts a ball in play to the left side of the field, .343 when he hits the ball up the middle and .374 when he goes the other way. So Lorenzo Cain should be a pull hitter — right?
Well, those numbers reflect balls in play, so you need to factor in strikeouts. And when Cain pulls the ball he swings sooner, and when he swings sooner he chases sliders, and when he chases sliders he strikes out more often.
Darin Watson at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City thinks Joakim Soria became a different pitcher in Pittsburgh.
When you look at Soria’s career, that season’s worth of games in Detroit really sticks out. Hits allowed, home runs allowed, FIP, ERA: all up. Strikeouts: down. I have no idea why Soria struggled in Detroit; perhaps Soria himself doesn’t know. I don’t want to cast aspersions on Detroit’s coaching staff, but I wonder if perhaps Soria got away from what worked for him before, whether that was planned or simply a mechanical issue. It is interesting that Pittsburgh’s Ray Searage is considered one of the best pitching coaches in the game; maybe he was able to spot a flaw in Soria’s delivery or game plan. If so, that bodes well for the Royals, as Dave Eiland is also one of the game’s best pitching coaches.
The Royals made some cuts in the minors.
Royals release from minors: RHP Alberto Rodriguez, LHP Javier Reynoso, C Kyle Pollock, OF Riley King, OF Alexis Rivera, OF Brandon Thomasson
— Royals Review (@royalsreview) March 28, 2016
Fangraphs projects the Royals to have the second-worst starting pitching in baseball.
Royals players discuss their walk-up music.
Kauffman Stadium unveils its new food options this year.
The Royals have the most expensive Opening Day tickets in baseball.
The Rangers release Jeremy Guthrie.
This guy, man.
Absolutely gutted to see Jeremy Guthrie got cut today. Shocked and saddened and all torn up. Someone should make a t-shirt up to document it
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 29, 2016
The new documentary "Fastball", which features George Brett, gets a good review. It is showing at the Screenland Armour theater.
Only two Royals make John Sickels' list of Top 175 prospects.
Matt Harvey may not be ready to go Opening Day.
John Smoltz does not like how today's pitchers are used.
Here is every team's projected starting lineup.
The Braves release Nick Swisher.
Ruben Amaro reflects on his time running the Phillies.
Chiefs defensive back Husain Abdullah has retired due to concussions.
College basketball analyst Seth Davis gets called out on Twitter, so he responds by telling nerds to put down their spreadsheets.
The FBI unlocks the San Bernadino shooter's iPhone without Apple's help.
Near-collisions with drones and aircraft are up five-fold, according to the FAA.
Deadpool is the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever.
Your song of the day is Jackie Wilson with "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher."