Royals Rumblings - News for June 7, 2016

Royals Rumblings - News for June 7, 2016

Lee Judge urges you not to freak out about losing streaks.

In 2015 the Royals lost four games in a row on May 24-27, three in a row on June 4-6, four in a row on June 29-30 and July 1-2, three in a row July 29-31 and four more in a row Sept. 4-7. That doesn’t mean the Royals and their fans have nothing to worry about; maybe they do, maybe they don’t. That’s why we watch the games: to find out what happens.

But if you’re living and dying with each Royals win and loss, it’s worth remembering that even very good teams have their ups and downs. The Royals just lost four games in a row and it might not be the last time that happens this year. Get used to it.

Scott Chasen previews what the Royals may do with the draft.

With the Royals losing five young pitchers (Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb, Cody Reed, Sean Manaea and Aaron Brooks) between the Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist trades last year, it certainly couldn't hurt for the team to replenish some of its pitching depth. In particular, adding a left-hander to the staff, such as Vanderbilt's Ben Bowden, could be valuable.

There's also some room for position players, though it seems the Royals have found success in the players they've called up throughout the year. Really, picking so late, it's less about need and more about value. If there's a guy who falls and the Royals see him as a safe bet, that'll probably be the direction they will go -- even if there are potentially some swing-for-the-fences candidates still around.

Fantasy writer Michael Beller at Sports Illustrated is ready to buy in on Danny Duffy.

It’s pretty clear that Duffy has gotten better with each successive trip to the mound. He was only able to go three innings in his first start but didn’t allow a run in striking out five Braves. He went a bit longer his next time out, tossing 4 1/3 shutout innings with three whiffs against the White Sox. Duffy’s next start was the one in which he allowed five runs in the sixth inning, but he was perfect through the first five frames. Then came his last turn against the Rays: In addition to notching his first quality start of the season, he fanned six without issuing a walk.

If you know anything about Duffy’s career, that last sentence should catch your eye, as should his strikeout-to-walk ratio as a starter. Duffy has always had a serious problem staying in the strike zone, entering the 2016 season with a career 10% walk rate. Among pitchers active from 2011 through '15, only seven had a higher walk rate. This season, Duffy’s walk rate is 4.7%, which has him tied with Zack Greinke and Bartolo Colon and sandwiched between Masahiro Tanaka and Taijuan Walker.

Rustin Dodd has a Kris Medlen update:

▪ Right-hander Kris Medlen threw live batting practice on Monday in Surprise, Ariz., his latest step in a recovery from inflammation in his right shoulder. Medlen is scheduled to throw another live batting practice session this week at the Royals' complex in Arizona before potentially heading out on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues.

Vahe Gregorian notes that Luke Hochevar has been in the organization for ten years now.

Darin Watson at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City looks back at the longest game in Royals history.

Remember when everyone lauded the Padres off-season?

Which GM do you trust the most with the draft?

Here is your mock draft from Beyond the Boxscore.

Cobb County can afford a new stadium for the Braves, but not public parks.

Could MLB expand to Mexico City?

A Marlins prospect goes on the disabled list due to a teammates' prank.

The new O.J. Simpson documentary may be the best thing ESPN has produced.

MMA fighter Kimbo Slice is dead at age 42.

Were dogs domesticated twice?

How could Facebook change the electorate?

Are you ready for a Whopper burrito?

Your song of the day is Fine Young Cannibals with "Good Thing."