Weekend Rumblings - News for August 18, 2018

Weekend Rumblings - News for August 18, 2018

Ned Yost says you will see a lot more young players over the last six weeks of the season.

“We try to win every night, but I try to win every night with my young guys,” Yost said. “I am not going to limit their exposure on their opportunity to gain experience.”...

To that end, Yost will play Dozier some at first base in addition to his preferred position at third, though he said Dozier is starting to become more comfortable playing third at the major-league level. On Wednesday, Yost even considered playing Ryan O’Hearn in left field and moving Alex Gordon to right.

“Moving guys around,” Yost said. “We’ll continue to evaluate to see which guys can handle what spots.”

Salvy is swinging at a historic level this year.

“I have to (practice) hitting it because I don’t take that pitch,” Perez said. “So I gotta learn how to hit it. If you’re not going to take it, at least learn how to hit the low pitch.”

This year’s stats show that Perez has been swinging at a lot of those “bad balls” — more of them, in fact, than any other player in recorded history.

Perez, thus far, has swung at 50.2 percent of pitches thrown to him that are outside the strike zone. It’s a career high ... and it’s much more than that. Baseball Info Solutions, which has compiled plate-discipline data since 2002, has never tracked a player who has swung at more than 49 percent of pitches outside the strike zone.

David Lesky at Baseball Propsectus Kansas City thinks Jorge Lopez is a reliever.

Jorge Lopez was okay enough in his first start for the Royals on Wednesday night. I had a chance to be at the game and I was disappointed in his fastball. I thought it would look better than it did, but I was pretty impressed with his changeup. Now, it’s obviously a small sample, but his start didn’t really do much to change my mindset that I believe he’s a reliever long-term for this team. Heck, if the Royals ever decided to employ an opener strategy, Lopez seems like he’d be a nice option there. I just think the stuff will play better in a 15-30 pitch outing rather than a 90-110 pitch outing. Between Wednesday night, the couple big league outings I’ve seen and a little video I’ve watched of him in the minor leagues, the stuff just wasn’t all that dynamic to me in a longer outing whereas I could absolutely see it playing up as a late inning reliever or a strong middle reliever who can get five to seven outs if needed.

Sam McDowell writes that Brian Goodwin will begin a rehab assignment, and gives us other injury updates.

Right-hander Ian Kennedy threw 25 pitches in a simulated game with hitters on Thursday. He has been on the disabled list since July 11 with a left oblique strain.

“I felt real good,” he said. “It’s nice to make that next step instead of throwing (strictly) out of the bullpen. Your adrenaline’s gonna kick up when you start facing hitters. Just remind yourself it’s just a step; stay nice and easy all the way through it.”

At Royals Farm Report, royalscollector predicts September roster moves.

Seuly Matias and Nicky Lopez are among those Royals prospects recognized by Baseball America for their top tools.

The Royals acquired some international slot money from the Rangers for minor league pitcher Kelvin Gonzalez, who was pitching in Burlington.

Fangraphs talks about Royals’ 2017 first-round pick Nick Pratto.

Clubhouse Conversation talks to Royals minor league outfielder Blake Perkins.

Lee Judge writes about the differences between playing in the big leagues and playing in the minors.

Why Jose Urena plunking Ronald Acuna should be a wake up call for MLB.

Dusty Baker drops some truth bombs.

Boston’s longtime top minor league affiliate is moving from Pawtucket to Worcester.

Jacob deGrom is breaking the Cy Young Award formula.

The Rays are disrupting baseball by trying to win.

The Cardinals are back in the pennant race after firing Mike Matheny.

Would the Orioles be better with Rafael Palmeiro back?

Oh that Patrick Mahomes touchdown pass in all its glory.

WWE SummerSlam 2018 matches, ranked.

Humans find it difficult to kill robots, especially when they beg for their lives.

Crazy Rich Asians takes a rom-com and makes a statement.

There is an oral history of the song Scottie Doesn’t Know from the comedy Eurotrip.

Your song of the day is Miles Davis with On Green Dolphin Street.