Royals Rumblings - News for April 25, 2017

Royals Rumblings - News for April 25, 2017

Eric Hosmer talks about his groundball rate

“You look at the averages and all that, it’s definitely better with the ball in the air,” he said. “Most guys, especially power hitters, are trying to hit the ball in the air. Our stadium is playing a little different, it’s bigger out there, but still, somebody in my spot in the lineup, and type of hitter I am, I should definitely be trying to hit the ball in the air.”

This is a different thing than Hosmer saying he should mimic Martinez. He is 27 years old. Seven seasons and nearly 4,000 plate appearances into a career that’s already included a World Series parade and will soon hit free agency.

Martinez rebuilt his swing in large part because he had nothing to lose. Hosmer is a successful major-league baseball player, still with room to grow, and this is the hitter he has always been — more Mark Grace and Keith Hernandez than David Ortiz and Mark Teixeira.

“Players are always making adjustments, and they should,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “But it’s very hard to change swing paths. It’s hard to make major mechanical changes at the major-league level. I believe that. You work within a player’s naturalness.”

But he is not going to make drastic changes.

“I know I’ve been through it long enough now to realize you’ve just got to stick with your approach and it will change,” he said.

A few moments later, Hosmer exited the clubhouse and headed to an indoor batting cage to work with hitting coach Dale Sveum. The work has continued all month, the routine mostly the same. Yet Hosmer said he doesn’t see any need for wholesale changes — just continued diligence with his preparation and daily plan.

“Having a couple of years of experience under all of our belts,” Hosmer said, “I think that’s what keeps us sane … knowing that it will eventually happen.”

Ned Yost has few answers to the hitting slump.

Jesse Newell breaks down what has changed with Jason Vargas.

Not only is Vargas pitching from a lower arm slot, but the data also shows he is releasing his pitches roughly 2 inches more toward first base this season compared to last year while using more of a slinging style. While this feels like something minor — we’re talking about a matter of inches here — it seems like this adjustment has helped bring out the absolute best in his change-up.

Lee Judge writes that the poor offense is putting pressure on the pitching.

Royals prospect Ryan O’Hearn is recognized in the MLB Pipeline Team of the Week.

What is wrong with Jose Bautista?

Are newer ballparks keeping fans further away from the action?

Peter Gammons looks at the question facing baseball prep stars - college or the draft?

Addison Russell wants players to sign his Pokemon cards.

A minor league pitcher admits it is intimidating to pitch to Tim Tebow.

If you want to see Noah Syndergaard die, tune in to Game of Thrones this season.

Everything you need to know about the 2017 NFL Draft.

How Braun Strowman took over WWE.

What is causing the retail meltdown of 2017?

The season premiere of Silicon Valley asks “what if there are no more big ideas in tech?”

RIP Robert Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Your song of the day is Steve Winwood with Roll With It.