Royals Rumblings - News for October 16, 2018

Royals Rumblings - News for October 16, 2018

Craig Brown at Baseball Prospectus looks at how the Royals increased their use of defensive shifts more than almost any other team in baseball.

You could say the Royals increase in utilizing the shift on the field represented a shift in organizational defensive philosophy. The Royals have long employed an analytics department and have over time incorporated their input into game preparation. This was perhaps the most outwardly obvious sign the team was serious about crafting the data available to them to gain a competitive advantage.

Brad Keller was named to Baseball America’s All-Rookie team.

Two teams passed up the opportunity to keep Keller last offseason, and the Royals reaped the rewards. The D-backs left Keller unprotected in the Rule 5 draft and the Reds selected him fifth overall, only to flip him to the Royals for a player to be named later or cash. All Keller did was emerge as Kansas City’s best pitcher, logging a 2.01 ERA out of the bullpen before moving to the rotation and going 8-5, 3.28 in 20 starts. Among rookie starters, Keller finished third in ERA (3.08), fourth in innings pitched (140.1) and fourth in wins with nine.

Baseball America’s Bill Mitchell discusses Royals 2018 draft picks Kyle Isbel and Nathan Eaton.

Scouts were universally glowing in their reports on Isbel from the Pioneer League. He’s going to hit, and any concerns about his outfield play should be mitigated by the fact that he’s still relatively new to the position after having been an infielder earlier in his college career. As for Nathan Eaton, he is a very interesting under-the-radar guy and one of the sleepers in the Royals system. Drafted as a catcher in the 21st round out of Virginia Military Institute, Eaton played both infield and outfield with Idaho Falls. That kind of versatility has value in today’s game. I saw him at both second and third base in instructional league, but I can envision him playing all over the field in a utility role.

More Instructional League updates, this time from 2080 Baseball.

Drew Osborne at Royals Farm Report gives an update from the Arizona Fall League.

Frank Schwindel homers in the Dominican Winter League.

The Texas Rangers will interview former Royals catcher Dusty Wathan for their managerial opening.

Pitchers in the post-season may be using foreign substances, but does anyone care?

What playoff baseball looks like in 2018.

What if the Ryan Braun trade to the Dodgers had gone through?

Ronald Acuna is named The Sporting News’ Rookie of the Year.

What it took to write about baseball as a female reporter in the 70s and 80s.

The inside story of Kirk Gibson’s epic World Series home run 30 years ago.

Text messages from Kansas coach Bill Self are presented as evidence in the Adidas trial.

The Patriots fan who spilled beer on Tyreek Hill is banned for life.

Instagram has a massive harrassment problem.

MIT is investing $1 billion in an AI college.

How Steve Carrell came to be a serious dramatic actor.

Your song of the day is The Roling Stones with Live With Me.