Royals Rumblings - News for January 22, 2018

Royals Rumblings - News for January 22, 2018

One year after the death of Yordano Ventura, Maria Torres finds an unsettled financial situation, but hope in the legacy Yordano left behind.

With money from the ACE 30 Fund — so far Royals Charities has raised $70,000 — the Royals will remodel the dilapidated stadium. There is standing water in the patchy grass, cracks in the outfield wall and weeds curling through the chain-link fences.

Among the Royals’ plans: a bullpen tunnel with cages for batters and pitchers, a repaired field, fresh paint and nets.

Upon completion, the renovated stadium will bear Ventura’s name.

“I don’t want to exaggerate, but I don’t think people heard about Las Terrenas a lot before Yordano,” said Victor Báez, longtime field coordinator at the Royals’ Dominican Academy in Guerra. “That town became better known because of him.

“We want Yordano’s legacy to live on in Las Terrenas and the stadium.”

Nick Cafardo at the Boston Globe gives the latest on Eric Hosmer.

8. Eric Hosmer, 1B, free agent — If the Royals are able to re-sign him, they’ll begin to entertain more seriously some of the inquiries they’ve received for lefty Danny Duffy, closer Kelvin Herrera, and righty Jason Hammel. The Royals appear to be in the running for Hosmer, along with San Diego and a possible mystery team (St. Louis?).

Sam Dykstra at MLB.com thinks Trevor Oaks is a rookie who could make an impact next year.

It may have seemed like a minor trade from a prospect standpoint. Trevor Oaks, then the No. 14 prospect in the Dodgers system, was the most notable Minor Leaguer moved in a three-way deal between the Dodgers, Royals and White Sox earlier this month. But Steamer seems to think the Royals nabbed themselves a 2018 gem in Oaks. The only starting pitching prospect to receive a higher WAR projection among this year’s crop was Braves lefty Luiz Gohara, featured in last week’s Prospect Projection piece on the NL East.

Drew Osborne at Royals Farm Report tries to see the bright side of a poor farm system.

What might put the Royals back into post season contention comes from seeing the talent in the lower levels. It’s true to say that players that are ages 18 to 21 still face a wide range of outcomes. Guys like Seuly Matias, Khalil Lee, MJ Melendez, and Nick Pratto haven’t been playing professional baseball for very long. They don’t have the track record of success that you’ll find leafing through the top prospect lists. That said, the Royals have some young men that absolutely have big potential when it comes to grading their abilities. Whether it be the Joey Votto comparison for Pratto (yes, please!), the 20/20 potential and raw athleticism of Lee, the defensive wizardry and bat speed of Melendez, or the light tower power and cannon arm of Matias, this system has guys that are projectable and THAT are only scratching the surface.

First-round pick Nick Pratto is drawing comparisons to Eric Hosmer.

Pratto’s defense also caught the Royals’ eyes.

”You know, we don’t like making comparisons [to Hosmer],” Picollo said, “but it’s really eerie how similar they are when you look at them defensively. Nick has soft hands, he has the footwork around the base, a strong arm. It’s definitely a little eerie.”

The Royals are said to be one of many teams with “varying amounts of interest” in infielder Eduardo Nunez.

The Brewers, who have been linked to the Royals in trade talks, are reportedly close to a deal of some sort.

The Orioles are interested in Jarrod Dyson.

Pete Grathoff finds the connections between the careers of George Brett and Billy Joel.

The Royals return most of their broadcast team for 2018, minus producer Don Free, who retired.

Lee Judge says not to underestimate the power of agents over players.

Scott Boras talks about the slow free agent market.

The Braves won’t trade Ronald Acuna for Christian Yelich.

Beyond the Boxscore lists their Hall of Fame ballot.

The fissure between owners and players continues to grow deeper.

Travis Sawchick at Fangraphs argues the Twins should be more aggressive this winter.

The autopsy for Roy Halladay showed drugs in his system.

Melissa Mayeux will play shortstop for the Miami Dade College baseball team this year.

A newly discovered wasp is named after Ichiro Suzuki.

KU’s Billy Preston leaves to play basketball in Bosnia.

Yep, the sun is losing mass.

The subdued joys of German board games.

What is the best Mario spinoff series?

Your song of the day is Billy Joel with Pressure.