Royals Rumblings - News for November 1, 2017

Royals Rumblings - News for November 1, 2017

David Lesky at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City wants to think outside the box for the pitching staff.

Just like the Dodgers bullpen in the World Series, the Royals bullpen wore down. They also added Brandon Maurer, which didn’t help, but they wore down. They were tired and some were hurt, likely from being overworked. It wasn’t the only reason the Royals didn’t make the playoffs, but it was one of the reasons, and I believe it was one of the big reasons. So with that in mind, I think the Royals would be wise to try something I’ve advocated for in the past and will do so again – a rotating rotation.

Wait, I thought we were talking about the bullpen. Oh yes we are. Take a look at the Royals rotation of Danny Duffy, Ian Kennedy, Jake Junis, Nate Karns and Jason Hammel. On the surface, you see a group that might possibly have a chance to be pretty good. The problem, though, is that not a single one of these pitchers is a good bet to give 30 to 33 good enough starts in a season.

Jeffrey Flanagan profiles Kevin Lenik, an interesting relief prospect signed out of the independent leagues.

The Royals signed Lenik out of the independent Frontier League (where they found Balbino Fuenmayor) last June, and the 26-year-old shot through the low Minors all the way to Triple-A Omaha in less than two months. Lenik, a 6-foot-5 right-hander, posted a 1.88 ERA in 12 relief outings for the Storm Chasers, striking out 24 batters in 24 innings.

"He was just really impressive," Royals assistant general manager J.J. Picollo said. "Mid-to-upper 90s fastball."

Eric Longenhagen at Fangraphs had a prospect chat.

Who have been the guys you from the Fall League who will move up/down the most?

Eric A Longenhagen: Troy Montgomery from Anaheim, Andrew Knizner from St. Louis, Nicky Lopez from Kansas City. Those guys are all up for me, Lopez and Knizner might be everyday guys

Lee Judge looks at how unintended consequences in ballpark design can have an impact on the game.

Yuli Gurriel’s dad was the first baseman for the best team you’ve never heard of.

Meet the barbers for the Houston Astros.

How a racist insult became a point of pride for Dodgers fans.

Former Royals manager Buddy Bell leaves the White Sox for a job with the Reds.

The Cardinals will pursue a top-end closer this winter.

The Mets release Nori Aoki at his request.

Remembering the far-right pitching staff of the 1984 Padres.

Vanity Fair profiles power couple Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez.

The best and worst Halloween costumes from athletes.

The state of Missouri has become a hotbed for college eSports.

The benefits of biodiversity is still a matter of dispute among researchers.

An artist makes insanely detailed maps of movies.

People tell the creepiest urban legends from their hometowns.

Your song of the day is Wyclef Jean with Gone Til November.