Royals Rumblings - News for June 30, 2016

In BP’s preview of the US team in the Futures Game, Collin Young had the following to say about Hunter Dozier:

Coming off a 2015 Double-A season for Northwest Arkansas where many questioned his prospect status, Hunter Dozier is putting together a 2016 season that proves the naysayers wrong. The former 2013 first-round pick by the Royals is doing what most thought he’d do: hit for power and average. With a couple of swing and approach adjustments in the offseason, Dozier has put to bed the sub-standard results of last year, thereby restoring his major-league projection. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound third baseman out of Stephen F. Austin is undoubtedly creating a quick path to the big leagues after last season’s disappointments.

In their preview of the World Team, Grant Jones wrote this about Jorge Bonifacio:

The brother of Emilio Bonifacio has sported an almost 60-point increase from the Texas League to the PCL, while keeping his on-base skill in tact. He won’t offer much with his glove as a right fielder, but has started to grow into his power since the start of 2015, swatting 29 home runs since the start of 2015. Bonifacio has been an all-star at almost every level and even though he has taken more time to develop than some had initially anticipated, he has grown into what will be a solid player at the MLB level, especially if he can show the ability to hit for power and average at the same time.

Hunter Samuels takes a look at how Danny Duffy has shut down the running game:

Having such quick feet and a strong arm allows Duffy to rack up pickoffs, but that’s not the only statistic that shows how he controls the running game. According to Baseball Reference, only two runners have attempted to steal a base against Duffy this season, and both have been caught, both with pickoff moves. If Duffy had enough innings to qualify, he’d be just one of 11 pitchers in the American League to allow two or fewer stolen base attempts. Only four qualified pitchers in the league have yet to allow a stolen base: David Price, R.A. Dickey, Chris Tillman, and Wade Miley. Granted, having Salvador Perez and his rocket arm behind the plate helps some, but Duffy’s presence definitely deters aggressive baserunning.

Since the start of 2014, Duffy has allowed 10 stolen bases in 17 attempts, which is a success rate of roughly 59 percent. The league tends to steal bases at a 72-percent clip. Among the 109 major-league pitchers with at least 300 innings thrown in that time frame, Duffy ranks 17th in fewest steals allowed.

The 17 attempts against him is also quite low. Santiago allowed 17 attempts in 2014 alone, to offer some perspective. Duffy is closer to Price, who’s allowed 18 attempts in the last three years, albeit in far more opportunities. He may not be the best in baseball, but clearly runners have hesitated to take off when Duffy is on the mound.

Omar says, “Thanks, Kansas City.”

At The Hardball Times, familiar name Jeff Zimmerman delves into new ways to look at college stats.

Also at The Hardball Times, Jack Moore looks at MLB’s contentious relationship with the superstations.

MiLB is getting sued by a former minor-leaguer, so two U.S. Representatives have introduced a bill to “Save America’s Pastime” while sticking it to the woefully underpaid masses of minor leaguers.

Crystal Pepsi is returning to the shelves of your local supermarket.

A few weeks in advance of its July 22 release, we have a trailer for BoJack Horseman’s third season.

Jon Snow’s got problems.

It looks like Trump University wasn’t the only dodgy for-profit educational venture with which the Republican nominee for President has been involved.

Jessica Williams is leaving The Daily Show.

The song for today is “Augustine” by Blood Orange.