Royals Rumblings - News for May 8, 2018

Royals Rumblings - News for May 8, 2018

Rustin Dodd writes that perhaps we should think more of Jake Junis.

“He’s got a different personality,” Yost said on Sunday. “He’s just more stoic … but his ability to stay calm and execute pitches is what was impressive. His last start, he executed 84 of 100 pitches. That’s pretty darn good.”

In an organization starved for homegrown starting pitchers, Junis is, for the moment, a success story. He is a possible pillar for a franchise rebuild. He could be a fixture in a starting rotation.

Maybe it’s time to temper expectations. Yet Junis keeps elevating them.

Jeffrey Flanagan does a mailbag column and talks about prospect Josh Staumont.

The Royals are keeping a very close eye on Josh Staumont’s progress. Obviously, the right-hander has electric stuff, with a plus-plus fastball that touched 102 mph in Spring Training. Since his conversion to the bullpen this season, Staumont, the Royals’ No. 11 prospect, has put up a 0.68 ERA in 10 outings at Triple-A Omaha. He’s still walking nearly a batter an inning, which won’t play in the big leagues. But he’s made some mechanical adjustments in his delivery. He told me late in Spring Training that he’s still “thinking” about his delivery -- rather than relying on his muscle memory take over -- which can explain a lack of command at times. He will make his Major League debut at some point this season.

Royals Farm Report talks to outfield prospect Rudy Martin.

Q: “A lot of people have already started the Jarrod Dyson comparisons. Dys had a couple of great seasons on a world championship team, so I’m sure those comparisons are cool, but how do you feel you compare to a guy like Dyson?”

Rudy: “I think it’s pretty cool being compared to him. Getting to be around him a couple times when he was with us always a good time to pick up on things. And I think I compare pretty good to him & it’s an honor to be compared to a guy like Dyson seeing that we both have speed, good defense, and can swing it. Definitely one of the players I try to model my game after.”

Tyler Dierking of Kings of Kauffman writes that Alex Gordon is proving haters wrong.

Clubhouse Conversation talks to former Royals outfielder Matt Winters.

We have the first celebrity commitments for Big Slick weekend on June 1-2 which includes a softball game at the K.

Stephen Piscotty was traded to Oakland to be with his ALS-stricken mother, who passed away yesterday.

White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar, who suffered an aneurysm, has been released from the hospital.

The Mets expect to trade Matt Harvey.

C.C. Sabathia says he’ll retire if the Yankees win a championship.

Who might be acquiring Manny Machado this summer?

Johnny Cueto is out six weeks with an elbow sprain.

MLB players talk about which stats they think are important.

More pitchers are getting pulled during no-hitters.

Jeff Passan thinks the starting pitcher is not dead yet.

The France family may be selling NASCAR.

The Raptors had their best season ever and it ended with a thud.

Ticketmaster could replace tickets with facial recognition.

The 50 best superheroes movies of all time.

When TV comedies take a turn for the dramatic.

Your song of the day is The XX with I Dare You.