Weekend Rumblings - News for August 11, 2018

Weekend Rumblings - News for August 11, 2018

Sam McDowell at the Kansas City Star writes that the Royals are still missing a key component in their rebuild.

The 100-loss clubs to reach the playoffs within the following three seasons are the 2016 Minnesota Twins, who made the playoffs in 2017; the 2013 Astros, who also hit the century mark in 2012 and 2011 before making the playoffs in 2015, but we’re only counting them once here; the 2012 Cubs, who qualified for postseason play in 2015; and the 2010 Pirates, who made it in 2013.

A common thread runs through those success stories — high-ranked prospects. And that is precisely what has been absent of late from the Royals’ farm system.

Those teams had them. And a lot of them. As they marched toward 100 defeats, in their respective minor-league systems sat signs of a brighter future. And a lot of top-ranked youth was already on the field, to boot....

The Royals opened 2018 with zero prospects on the top-100 list. They had zero in 2017, too.

David Lesky at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City weighs in on Heath Fillmyer.

I’m not sure what the point is where results weigh heavily enough to change opinions and I know we’re not there yet on Heath Fillmyer, but the results we’ve seen from him have been pretty darn good. I know that 21 strikeouts and 17 walks in 37.1 innings is a recipe for future disaster, but you have to at least be impressed with the way he’s handled himself. He’s sort of like Jakob Junis in that he really relies on a slider to be successful, but it’s been excellent for him with a 33.3 percent whiff rate. His changeup has been very good too with a 7 percent whiff rate and .190 average against it. I don’t think I’d be going out on a limb to say that Fillmyer won’t really be a factor with any team at any point in his career, but given the success he’s had with the slider and changeup, he’s definitely a pitcher who could benefit from using his fastball less, a tactic the Astros (and others) use to their advantage.

A setback for Jesse Hahn?

An unnamed editorial at the Star (Lee Judge?) thinks analytics have made the game less appealing to watch.

All this strategy is infinitely more interesting than watching a game of Home Run Derby.

Analytics might have provided more offense, but the current method for providing that offense means games have also gotten longer ... and less interesting.

The quest to hit more home runs has led to an all-or-nothing style of play. Fans might like the additional home runs, but the strikeouts that go with them have resulted in some pretty boring baseball.

Alex Duvall at Royals Farm Report is excited about some teenage pitchers in the farm system.

Mike Moustakas sees a lot of similarities between the Brewers and Royals playoff teams.

The Royals TV broadcast crew ranks near the bottom of Awful Announcing’s rankings.

Casey Coleman is auctioning his 2014 World Series ring with the Royals.

Former Royals Carlos Beltran, Brian Bannister, and Raul Ibanez are listed as potential future managers.

The Phillies acquire first baseman Justin Bour from the Marlins.

The Athletics acquire closer Fernando Rodney from the Twins.

Dodgers closer Kanley Jansen will miss a month due to an irregular heartbeat.

Felix Hernandez is demoted to the bullpen.

Sheryl Ring at Fangraphs looks at umpire Angel Hernandez’ lawsuit for employment discrimination.

Former White Sox pitcher is facing potential life in prison for drug trafficking.

One thing to know about each Premier League team.

It is just the NFL pre-season, but we already have a Deflate-gate controversy.

The big mobile gaming developers are ripping off the indepedent game makers.

What are people thinking when they leave bad tips at restaurants?

Has the mysterious identity of famed fugitive D.B. Cooper finally been revealed?

Your song of the day is Sonny Criss with Blue Sunset.