Royals Rumblings - News for July 6, 2016

Royals Rumblings - News for July 6, 2016

Chris Young is as frustrated as anyone about his struggles on the mound.

"Mentally, it’s tough," Young said. "I’ve never struggled like this. Physically, I feel good; I feel strong. I feel like my breaking ball has been good. I can’t pinpoint it. If I knew what the answer was, I’d change it by now.

"It’s been as frustrating as anything I’ve experienced in my career from a performance standpoint. And physically, mentally, I’ve done everything I can to prepare. I go out there, but the results aren’t there. It’s beyond frustrating."

Don't look for help from Kris Medlen soon.

Kris Medlen leaves his 3rd AAA rehab start after 49 pitches. Through 5 rehab starts - 18 IP, 22 H, 11 ER, 7 BB, 20 K, 6 HRs 5.50 ERA #Royals

— Josh Vernier (@JoshVernier610) July 6, 2016

Lee Judge defends Ned Yost keeping Edinson Volquez on the mound Monday night.

There are at least a couple good reasons to send a starter back out for the seventh; if the starter is dealing and has a low pitch count, why take him off the mound? In that case you’re doing the other team a favor. Volquez had given up one iffy run and there was no indication that he was tiring.

The second reason to send a starter back out is if you don’t have someone better to pitch the seventh inning. In 2014, Yost had Kelvin Herrera (1.41 ERA), Wade Davis (1.00 ERA) and Greg Holland (1.44 ERA), so pulling the starter after six innings was a no-brainer. This year it’s Joakim Soria (3.13 ERA), Kelvin Herrera (1.40 ERA) and Wade Davis (1.23 ERA), who went on the disabled list Tuesday. So the seventh inning isn’t such a sure thing anymore.

Charles Lam at KC Kingdom thinks its time the Royals begin looking for groundball pitchers.

The Kansas City Royals need to find a ground ball pitcher to help even these absurd home run totals. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too early to know who will and won’t be available on the trade market but we can take a look at horrible teams for a ground ball pitcher that could he the Royals win. The Kansas City Royals might want to take a look at Kyle Gibson of the Minnesota Twins. I know they are inside the division but his ground ball percentage is too good to pass on. He’s got a 54.1 ground ball percentage through 52 1/3 innings pitched this season according to Fangraphs. He’s carried an over 50 percent ground ball rate for the past three seasons and continues that trend this season.

Darin Watson at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City profiles John Mayberry.

Kendrys Morales is named American League Player of the Week.

Eric Hosmer visits a sick kid in the hospital.

Who are the biggest All-Star snubs?

The Dodgers have tossed an insane amount of money at pitchers, and it may finally be working.

Could the Cardinals go an entire season without using a sixth starter?

Are managers finally becoming smart?

Baseball Reference will no longer have page sponsorships.

Its up to the NBA to prevent superteams.

A national soccer training facility breaks ground today in KCK.

Why is NASA's Juno orbiter around Jupiter such a big deal?

The oral history behind the screenplay for the 80s action comedy Big Trouble in Little China.

The most beautifully pronounced words of 2016 pop music.

Your song of the day is Blue Oyster Cult with "Burning for You."