Royals Rumblings - News for October 16, 2017

Royals Rumblings - News for October 16, 2017

Alex Duvall at Royals Farm Report looks at whether Royals prospects will progress or regress.

I expect Josh Staumont to progress a bit in 2018. His career best BB/9 6.29, which came in his time with the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals this season. A BB/9 rate of 6.29 is really, really not good. Much less for a career best. If Staumont has any hope of surviving as a starter, he’s going to have to cut down on his walk rate in the first half of 2018 or he may very well be headed to a permanent spot in the bullpen.

Staumont may have the best stuff of any pitcher in the Royals’ system. His curveball rates as the best in the organization and his fastball is capable of reaching the upper-90’s. I don’t expect Staumont to get his BB/9 down to Foster Griffin’s impressive 2.92 level, but he at least needs to get it down in the 4’s in 2018 if I’m going to buy in on him as a starter long-term.

Jim Callis at MLB.com profiles some Royals prospects in the Instructional League, such as 2017 first-round pick Nick Pratto.

"Pratto has a chance to be very impactful, a very complete player on both sides of the ball," Royals farm director Ronnie Richardson said. "He has great instincts in all areas of the game. He's always in the right place. He shows great leadership too. When a player has his desire to get better, and his talent and skills, it's fun."

Cody Leonard at Kings of Kauffman looks at internal replacements for potential departing free agents.

It wouldn’t be unrealistic to see Cheslor Cuthbert hit 20 home runs with an average north of .270 in 2018. As players such as Gordon, Moustakas and Whit Merrifield have shown, there is always room to grow and improve your game. If he can work on his throws to first base and mature at the plate at the rate that he has, Cuthbert will be a highly productive player for the Kansas City Royals for years to come.

The Royals could have interest in Jackie Bradley, Jr. if Boston makes him available this winter, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

A look at the work being done to revamp the Kauffman Stadium playing surface.

A Cardinals blog warns the team to stay away from Eric Hosmer.

The Braves may have committed “unprecedented” violations.

Where could free agent slugger J.D. Martinez end up this winter?

The Mets will interview Alex Cora and former Royals infielder Joe McEwing for their managerial job.

Justin Verlander has embraced Houston’s analytical approach.

The Marlins will cut payroll down to $90 million.

Keith Olberman is not a fan of Yasiel Puig, so Yasiel fires back.

The Twins are moving away from their pitching philosophy of “pitch to contact.”

What is it like to be an old school baseball organist?

So, why did Andy Reid go for it on fourth down when he needed a field goal?

The Portland Thorns women’s soccer team has been a huge success at the gate - can they be copied?

Maybe sit this one out, Woody Allen.

Twitter pledges new anti-abuse rules.

All the fun theories speculating about Stranger Things season two.

Your song of the day is The Supremes with You Keep Me Hangin’ On.